Speaking in Paris on Tuesday morning, Lime President Joe Kraus explained why the French capital is such a valuable partner in the quest for sustainable mobility alternatives.

“We believe strongly that true action against climate change is going to require making hard choices and principled leadership at the top,” he told an overflow crowd at The Family corporate headquarters across from the famed Place des Vosges. “That’s why we look to Paris as an example.”

Kraus praised Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo for the bold steps her administration has already taken towards urban sustainability during her five year tenure, including:

1. Doubling the number of bike lanes from 700 km to 1400 km by 2020
2. Opening the city to lightweight electric vehicles like dockless electric scooters
3. Passing legislation that will see 3,000 square meters of solar panels installed on Parisian rooftops
4. Planting a new urban forest in key sites across the city

For Lime’s part, said Kraus, the company is committed to addressing the global climate crisis by using 100% renewable energy and ensuring carbon neutrality for fleet operations.

For the last year, Lime has partnered with Planet Oui to supply local, French-based solar, wind and small-scale hydro energy to power its operations. The company is also working to maximize the lifespan and circularity of its products, including improving vehicle durability, maximizing parts repair and reuse and committing to 100% landfill diversion.

“History will judge whether or not we address the climate crisis head on, with all of our innovative, policy and collective might,” explained Kraus. “Thus, we are committed to 100% renewable energy across our operations.”

This message was reinforced immediately following the keynote speech. During a panel discussion with Hauts-de-Seine DeputyLaurianne Rossi and private mobility leaders across Europe, Lime’s GM of Paris Arthur-Louis Jacquier discussed his team’s push towards a fully electric operations fleet by the start of 2020.

“Providing a sustainable transportation alternative means ensuring sustainable operations,” he told moderator Zineb Mekouar, head of public affairs at The Family. “We’re transitioning our fleet of vehicles in order to use only 100% electric vans by the start of next year.”

Tuesday’s Mobility and Sustainability event reflects a burgeoning public interest in the impact that electric scooters are having on the environment across France. Earlier this month, the Métropole de Lyon announced that automobile congestion had plummeted 4% in 2019 -- one year after the city’s launch of Lime electric scooters.

To stay up to date on the latest developments in sustainable micromobility, subscribe to 2nd Street, or download the Lime app to take an electric scooter ride in Paris today.