Driving Sustainable Mobility Forward with Andrew Savage, Vice President of Sustainability at Lime | Season Eight, Episode One

Welcome to Season Eight of Conversations in Cleantech!

From inspiring stories and words of wisdom to conversations on overcoming obstacles and fostering innovation, you can expect to learn from the trailblazers who are navigating the complexities of change to build a cleaner, more sustainable future.

In this opening episode of Season 8 of Conversations in Cleantech, our hosts Hetty Lowther and Joe Riley are joined by Andrew Savage, Vice President of Sustainability and a founding team member of Lime, as they explore the evolving world of micro-mobility and how businesses navigate rapid change in a fast-moving sector.

Curious about what it takes to transform urban transportation? Andrew shares his journey from rural Vermont to shaping one of the leading micro-mobility companies, providing e-scooters and e-bikes across more than 280 cities globally. Lime’s mission to solve last-mile transportation challenges is just the start - Andrew delves into the strategic moves that have set Lime apart, including an intense scaling phase that saw the company grow from 7 to 700 employees in just 18 months. This massive shift reflects how navigating change - at both the organisational and market levels - was crucial to Lime’s rise.

 

This episode uncovers the importance of building strong public partnerships, as Andrew explains how collaboration with city governments was key to Lime’s success in such a competitive sector. His “government-first” approach showcases how navigating regulatory challenges and fostering public trust has enabled Lime to deliver a service that meets the evolving needs of urban mobility.

 

Andrew’s insights also touch on Lime’s ambitious sustainability goals, including their Net-Zero target and innovations like swappable batteries. These initiatives aren’t just about cutting-edge tech - they’re about adapting and innovating in response to the growing urgency of environmental challenges.

Whether you're interested in sustainability, urban planning, or innovation, this episode offers a compelling look at the future of green transportation.

 

01:06 - Introduction to Andrew
01:32 - Can you give us the lowdown on what Lime does?
02:39 - Politics, clean energy, and micro-mobility - how did you get into this space and what drew you to Lime? 
05:08 - What was the leap from your background in politics and cleantech to becoming a founder?
07:52 - What was it like scaling Lime from 70 to 700 employees in such a short period?
12:37 - How has Lime positioned itself to stand out in the competitive micromobility market?
13:00 - What approach has Lime taken to successfully operate alongside other micromobility companies?
16:05 - What factors do you consider when evaluating a city or region as a potential market for Lime?
19:24 - Can you elaborate on your new role in sustainability at Lime, beyond providing sustainable transportation options?
22:11 - How has Lime managed to prioritise sustainability in its operations?
25:30 - How does Lime approach the operational and energy aspects of charging its fleet?
27:14 - How does Lime's product team innovate to meet the evolving needs of its diverse user base?
28:37 - What's the most important advice you'd give to someone starting out in the cleantech industry?

Connect with your hosts Hetty Lowther and Joe Riley on LinkedIn.

Find your guest Andrew Savage on LinkedIn.

Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith.

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