Micromobility has seen dramatic changes recently, with many operators shutting down operations due to regulatory changes and financial constraints. In this evolving market, Max Schalow is carving a niche with Fleetser—a platform simplifying the process of buying and selling e-bikes and e-scooters. The marketplace enables operators to manage their fleets more efficiently and has piqued interest globally. Swarovski explains his journey from creating a mobility startup to addressing the market’s needs. As cities worldwide consider micro-mobility issues, companies like Fleetser are poised to play pivotal roles.
Regulatory changes are pushing micromobility out of major European markets. Companies like Bird, Spin, and Lime have previously withdrawn from several cities. Cities such as Paris and Madrid have exerted control over sharing scooters, citing licenses issues. Other cities are following suit, impacting the speed at which micromobility expands. Historical attempts to recycle such fleets often resulted in e-bike graveyards, particularly in countries with stringent transport policies.
Schalow’s Journey from Innovator to Marketplace Designer
Max Schalow began his journey as a student eager to integrate renewable mobility solutions within the Netherlands. His early e-bike venture, Bondi, marked a stepping stone toward transforming user experiences.
“It was an opportunity to build up a customer base, get the brand out there,” he noted. “We ran that for two years and scaled that to eight cities,”
he explained while reflecting on operational experiences. Such endeavors laid the foundation for Fleetser.
What Makes Selling and Buying Easier?
Fleetser streamlines connections between buyers and sellers, allowing operators to efficiently revitalize their inventory. The platform serves as a curated market for mobility fleets, offering transparency and expertise. Fleetser’s innovation is both a response to rapid vehicle depreciation when left idle and an understanding of potential buyers’ needs.
“We just reached out to operators,” Schalow explained, “A lot of the time, we can actually sell them for a much higher price.”
This insight drives Fleetser’s mission to optimize asset value.
Significant global interest highlights the potential for scalable solutions. Demand for second-hand fleets is most robust among smaller operators wanting to establish themselves and mid-sized operators expanding seasonally. Schalow shared experiences from prospective collaborations abroad, including in Japan, affirming, “It could be done everywhere, really.”
Micromobility’s future in Europe is becoming conditional on navigating legislative frameworks. The introduction of the SELANA Alpha e-scooter, fully legal and supported by SELANA’s designs, presents a pivot away from shared schemes. Cafe-style dealership models, coupled with road-legal assurances, mark a shift in consumer habits and expectations.
Schalow is also looking to Africa for future prospects. Present at the Smarter Mobility Africa conference, he engages in building relationships that align with local mobility needs. Highlighting rapid shifts in infrastructure, he mentions, “We’re getting more requests for electric two-wheelers.”
Fleetser’s adaptability to global trends highlights the brand’s potential for sustained influence in evolving transport markets. It signifies not just a response to existing challenges but also an alignment with global aspirations towards sustainable mobility. Stakeholders in the micro-mobility industry may observe such innovations as benchmarks.
