Fonds steekt 500 mln in stadslogistiek

·26 min·2 clips

A new 500 million euro fund aims to finance the switch to electric trucks and buses, but why can't traditional banks handle it?

The episode opens with a brief news segment about freight train regulations in the Netherlands, followed by an introduction to the Microlino, an egg-shaped electric city car. Hosts Meindert Schut and Nout Broekhof then announce a new 500 million euro fund launched by Polestar Capital, called the E-Mobility and Infrastructure Fund, aimed at supporting companies in transitioning to exhaust-free city logistics. Guest Jan-Willem Keunig, a partner at Polestar Capital, joins to discuss the fund's purpose. He explains that the mobility sector requires 120 billion euros in Europe by 2030, with 20 billion needed in the Netherlands, to achieve sustainability goals, but only 30% of that transition is currently funded. Keunig highlights the financing gap, noting that banks struggle with the novelty and long runtimes of electric vehicle investments, while businesses face uncertainty about technology choices like hydrogen vs. electric. He describes two types of companies: those actively investing in the transition and those risking being left behind, driven by regulations like CSRD requiring carbon footprint disclosures. The conversation touches on challenges such as unclear government policy, zero-emission zones, and the need for an ecosystem beyond vehicles, including charging infrastructure, batteries, and software. Keunig mentions that the fund targets investments in vehicles, charging stations, and related infrastructure, with interest from pension funds, insurers, and impact investors. He notes the fund aims to be operational by year-end. Later, the hosts shift to a review of the Microlino Lite, a 45 km/h variant of the Microlino, which Schut tested for a week in Amsterdam. He describes its features, including a 5.5 or 10.5 kWh battery, a range up to 180 km, and luxury elements like a touchscreen and sliding roof. Schut compares it to competitors like the Opel Rocks-e and Fiat Topolino, noting its higher price of 17,990 euros. He shares practical experiences, such as its city-wide parking permit in Amsterdam, handling on bumpy roads, and an incident where he damaged a rim due to unclear road rules. The episode concludes with reflections on micro-mobility's future in crowded cities.

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