Mobilize Hippo
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive, Mobility services |
| Founded | January 2021 |
| Headquarters | France |
Area served | Europe (France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, Morocco) |
| Products | Mobility-related services (subscriptions, leasing, financing, data analytics, energy management), car-sharing vehicles |
| Parent | Renault Group |
Mobilize is a division within the French automotive manufacturer Renault, founded in 2021, that concentrates on mobility-related services. Its offerings include subscriptions, leasing options, financing, data analytics, and energy management solutions. Vehicles bearing the Mobilize brand are designed specifically for car-sharing and delivery applications.
As one of the four distinctive brands under the Renault Group umbrella—alongside Renault, Dacia, and Alpine—Mobilize primarily operates across European markets such as France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Morocco.
In response to changing consumer trends that favor usage over ownership, Mobilize emphasizes rental and shared vehicle models to address modern mobility requirements.
History
Mobilize was created in January 2021 during Renault’s strategic restructuring to focus on specialized mobility services including car sharing and niche transportation needs like last-mile delivery and on-demand rides. Established as part of Luca de Meo’s Renaulution strategy, this unit concentrates on mobility offerings, energy management, driving data insights, financing solutions, and vehicle production.
The Mobilize brand debuted in January 2021 with the EZ-1 Prototype—an urban quadricycle designed for car-sharing. Later that year, Renault integrated its electric car-sharing platform Zity into Mobilize, rebranding it as Zity by Mobilize. The first commercial vehicle under the brand was the subscription-exclusive Mobilize Limo, a rebadged JMEV Yi, introduced in late 2022. In May 2022, Renault’s financial subsidiary RCI Banque joined Mobilize, becoming Mobilize Financial Services.
October 2022 saw the launch of Mobilize Fast Charge, an electric vehicle rapid-charging network intended to deploy 200 chargers primarily at Renault dealerships along key travel corridors by mid-2024.
In July 2023, Mobilize Financial Services’ subsidiary Mobilize Lease&co expanded by acquiring two German firms from the MeinAuto Group: Mobility Concept and MeinAuto. The following month, August 2023, Mobilize further broadened its reach by acquiring stakes in UK leasing company Select Car Leasing.
Operations
Mobilize provides vehicles to ride-hailing, taxi, and delivery operators along with related services such as subscriptions, financing options, and charging infrastructure. While it does not produce vehicles itself, it sources them from partner manufacturers. The business is structured into two primary segments: Mobilize Financial Services, focusing on automotive financing; and Mobilize Beyond Automotive, which covers other mobility-related activities.
List of services
- Zity by Mobilize: a car-sharing platform active in Paris, Lyon, Madrid, and Milan.
- Bipi: a service offering flexible car subscriptions.
Mobilize Limo
In November 2023, Renault announced it would discontinue plans to market the electric sedan Mobilize Limo, originally targeted at taxi and VTC markets.
Mobilize Duo/ Bento
On 10 October 2022, Mobilize revealed both concept and production versions of the Duo and Bento models.
The Mobilize Duo is designed as the successor to the Renault Twizy and will be available in two variants (45 and 80), each accommodating two passengers.
The Mobilize Bento is a utility-focused version derived from the Duo. Both models are slated for release in 2024.
Mobilize Solo Concept
The Mobilize Solo was developed by Renault's design team in India, transforming from a skateboard equipped with an umbrella into a compact, chair-like vehicle. Its dimensions are long, wide, and tall, designed to seat a single occupant in a semi-reclined posture, with a joystick serving as the control interface instead of a traditional steering wheel.
Mobilize Hippo
The Mobilize Hippo is crafted as a utility vehicle tailored for last-mile delivery services. A prototype was unveiled at Viva Tech in 2021, highlighting Mobilize’s commitment to advancing innovative solutions in commercial transportation.
Mobilize Power Solutions
Previously known as Elexent, Mobilize Power Solutions oversees electric vehicle charging services across 11 countries, facilitating Mobilize’s growth in sustainable energy infrastructure deployment.
Mobilize Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) Technology
In June 2023, Mobilize introduced its bidirectional charging station named Powerbox alongside the launch of the new Renault 5 electric vehicle. Beginning in 2024, the Renault 5 equipped with V2G capabilities will allow users to connect their car and sell electricity back to the grid, generating cost efficiencies. This dual-direction system converts the electric city car into an energy source, establishing Mobilize as a frontrunner in energy management and economical electric mobility solutions.
Mobilize Fast Charge
Mobilize revealed plans in October 2022 to establish a rapid charging network throughout Europe by 2024.
Rental
Mobilize provides adaptable rental packages, including customizable à la carte plans.
Mobilize Share represents the company’s initial car-sharing service launched within France.
Zity
Zity, the car-sharing branch of Mobilize, reported €12 million in revenue during 2022.
Data-processing
Supported by Renault and collaborators such as Software Factory, Mobilize develops sophisticated algorithms and data processing tools aimed at improving demand prediction and optimizing vehicle dispatch.
Financial services
Operating internationally, Mobilize Financial Services collaborates with Nissan and has been Mitsubishi’s exclusive financing partner since March 2023. Their portfolio includes long-term leasing solutions marketed under the Mobilize Lease&Co brand.