Lime's Journey to Sustainable Urban Mobility

In episode 223 of the Disruptors for GOOD podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Andrew Savage, a founding member and VP of Sustainability at Lime, on growing the companies sustainability efforts alongside its revenue growth.

In 2017, Lime emerged as a fresh face in urban transportation, reimagining how we navigate our cities with electric scooters and bikes. Since then, the company has rapidly expanded its reach, currently operating in over 280 markets worldwide.

At the heart of Lime’s journey is a dedication to sustainability, balancing rapid growth with environmentally conscious practices and innovations in battery technology.

In a our recent discussion, Andrew shared insights on how the company has tackled challenges, innovated, and set a vision for greener urban spaces.

About Andrew

Andrew is a founding member and VP of Sustainability at Lime, the world’s largest electric micromobility company. Andrew has been at the forefront of sustainability and innovation, playing a pivotal role in scaling Lime to over 280 global markets and securing more than $750 million in investment.

At Lime, he initially led the company’s market development, government relations, and policy strategy before building and leading its sustainability function, driving the company’s mission to reduce emissions and support clean, efficient urban transport.

Before Lime, Andrew held a leadership role at an Inc. 500 solar manufacturer and renewable project developer, where he championed impactful policies, expanded new business, and drove national growth.

He also served on the board of the U.S. solar industry’s national trade association, representing over 1,000 member businesses.

With a career spanning business, sustainability, and the public sector, Andrew has overseen key initiatives, including co-authoring a $6 billion home energy retrofit program in Congress—backed by President Obama and embedded in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.

Lime’s Early Days and the Role of Cities

From the beginning, Lime's journey was characterized by intense competition in the micro-mobility space. The company quickly recognized the importance of building strong relationships with cities, emphasizing collaboration over competition.

By listening to city leaders and understanding urban transportation needs, Lime began laying the groundwork for sustainable growth.

Two years into its operations, Lime made sustainability a cornerstone of its mission. This shift was fueled not only by internal values but also by the increasing demand from cities for sustainable mobility solutions.

As Savage notes, “Cities are eager to reduce car congestion and lower carbon emissions. Micro-mobility, when done sustainably, offers a powerful solution.”

Sustainability at the Core

Lime's sustainability efforts are underpinned by several key strategies:

1. Commitment to Renewable Energy: Lime made an early commitment to use renewable energy to power its vehicles. The company’s pledge to source energy from renewable sources laid the foundation for its sustainability efforts and positioned Lime as a leader in eco-friendly urban transport.
2. Battery Innovation: Battery technology has been a pivotal focus for Lime’s sustainability team. By investing in advanced battery designs and durability, Lime has been able to enhance its scooters’ operational efficiency and reduce their environmental footprint. Today’s Lime vehicles boast batteries that last longer and are easier to swap, significantly improving the sustainability of Lime’s fleet operations.
3. Emissions Reduction: Lime’s commitment to sustainability has led to remarkable achievements in reducing emissions. The company has successfully reduced emissions intensity by 60% while achieving a 500% increase in earnings. These improvements reflect Lime’s ability to balance financial growth with environmental responsibility, showcasing that profitability and sustainability can go hand in hand.
4. Product and Operational Innovation: Lime's sustainability initiatives have led to meaningful product innovations. From more durable scooters to efficient fleet management, Lime continues to make enhancements that not only benefit the environment but also bolster business performance.

Global Expansion and Local Adaptation

As Lime expanded globally, it adapted its approach to meet the unique needs of each market. This flexibility allowed Lime to build effective partnerships with local governments and understand the specific challenges of various urban landscapes.

Savage emphasizes that Lime’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond vehicles, encompassing city planning and infrastructure.

In many cities, Lime actively participates in discussions about the future of urban mobility, advocating for reduced car dependency and increased use of two-wheeled vehicles.

The Vision for Future Cities: Less Parking, More Productivity

Lime’s long-term vision is clear: reimagine city spaces to prioritize people over cars. By providing sustainable micro-mobility options, Lime is helping cities create more vibrant, accessible, and productive spaces.

“Reducing car dependency isn’t just about emissions; it’s about creating more livable urban environments,” says Savage.

In Lime's vision of the future, space that is currently dedicated to car parking could be repurposed for parks, pedestrian areas, or public gathering spaces, adding to the vibrancy of urban life.

Balancing Profitability with Purpose

The impressive 60% reduction in emissions intensity speaks to Lime’s ability to embed sustainability into its core strategy without compromising profitability.

By continuously investing in green technologies and sustainable practices, Lime has demonstrated that sustainability can be a driver of growth and profitability.

As urban centers become increasingly crowded, the demand for sustainable transportation will only grow, making Lime’s commitment to eco-friendly practices both a moral and business imperative.

Leading by Example

Lime’s leadership remains committed to integrating sustainability into every facet of the company. From policy to operations, Lime exemplifies a new kind of business that prioritizes people and the planet.

By building a sustainable micro-mobility ecosystem, Lime is not only helping reduce carbon emissions but also setting an example for other companies in the space.

Key Takeaways

• Lime’s early strategy focused on city collaboration and adapting to unique urban needs.
• Sustainability became central to Lime’s mission two years after launch, aligning with city demands for greener transportation.
• Battery technology advancements have improved Lime's efficiency and reduced its environmental impact.
• Lime achieved a 500% increase in earnings while cutting emissions intensity by 60%.
• Product innovations and operational improvements reflect Lime’s dedication to sustainability.
• Lime’s global expansion is supported by local partnerships and tailored solutions.
• The company’s vision for future cities includes reduced car dependency and reimagined urban spaces.
• Lime’s leadership is committed to embedding sustainability at the core of its strategy.

Lime is shaping a future where urban transportation is not only efficient but also environmentally responsible. As they continue to lead the micro-mobility space, Lime’s story stands as a testament to the power of innovation, sustainability, and a commitment to creating cities that prioritize people over cars.

Episode Transcript

[00:00]

Host (Grant Trahant):
Hey everyone, welcome to another episode of Disruptors for Good. Today, I’m excited to have Andrew Savage, VP of Sustainability and a founding member of Lime. Lime is a global leader in micro-mobility, offering e-scooters and e-bikes, with sustainability at its core. Today, we’ll dive into Lime’s journey, sustainability goals, and the challenges of navigating global markets. Andrew, thanks for being here—excited to get started!

Andrew Savage:
Thanks, Grant. I’m really glad to be here. Let’s dive into it.

[01:04]

Grant Trahant:
Take us back to 2017 when Lime was getting started. What was it like during those early days of building a new company in the micro-mobility space?

Andrew Savage:
Sure, Grant. Starting in 2017 was intense. Back then, the industry was called "dockless bikes," as scooters hadn’t even been launched yet. It was all about dockless bike-sharing, and there was a huge boom in capital and competition. My job focused on getting Lime into new markets and working with cities that were unsure about this new service. Cities were used to funding public bike shares, so our pitch to offer a free-floating service without parking corrals was totally new. In those first months, we had to prove the concept in smaller markets like Lake Tahoe, California, and Greensboro, North Carolina, before we could think of big cities like LA and Chicago.

[03:43]

Grant Trahant:
It must’ve been a new experience for the cities too. What were those early conversations like with policymakers?

Andrew Savage:
I came from a government background, so I approached it by putting myself in their shoes. Cities didn’t know how to classify us—were we transportation, a business service, or something else? After the disruption caused by Uber and Airbnb, cities wanted more oversight, so we needed to prove ourselves. While it probably slowed our growth a bit, it set the foundation for the trust and long-term relationships we have today. Now, many cities are using RFPs (requests for proposals) to pick operators, which creates a more structured way for us to operate.

[05:52]

Grant Trahant:
Was sustainability part of the company’s mission from the beginning?

Andrew Savage:
Initially, we were in survival mode. Sustainability was always part of our underlying mission to reduce car trips and emissions, but formalizing it came later. Around two years in, we saw cities and riders, especially in places like Paris, prioritizing sustainability. It became a business necessity, especially when Paris started awarding a third of RFP points based on sustainability efforts. That’s when we committed to powering all our vehicles with renewable energy and started implementing life cycle analyses to identify areas for improvement.

[09:31]

Grant Trahant:
What were some of the first steps you took towards sustainability?

Andrew Savage:
Our initial focus was powering all of our vehicles with renewable energy. Then we started conducting life cycle analyses to evaluate the carbon impact from production to end-of-life. These analyses showed us areas to improve, which helped us set science-based targets to reduce our carbon footprint. We've also worked with partners like Optara for precise measurements and accountability.

[12:49]

Grant Trahant:
Let’s talk about batteries, a key component for Lime’s operation. Has battery technology improved Lime’s sustainability over time?

Andrew Savage:
Definitely. Battery innovation has been crucial. We wouldn’t have Lime without the evolution in compact, powerful batteries. We moved to a swappable battery system, which means fully charged batteries can be swapped on the street, reducing operational emissions. Our batteries are now about twice as large, keeping vehicles on the street longer, and we’ve invested in battery management systems to monitor battery health and prevent theft.

[18:13]

Grant Trahant:
The balance between profitability and sustainability can be tricky. Lime’s emissions intensity has reduced by 60%, while earnings have increased 500%. How do you balance these goals?

Andrew Savage:
The pandemic was a turning point. We had to pull back our fleet and re-evaluate everything, leading to leaner operations. From 2022 to 2023, we grew gross bookings by 32% and cut carbon by 16%. Initiatives like swappable batteries and durable hardware have been instrumental, showing that sustainability can directly impact profitability. It’s a challenging balance, but these efforts make us a better business and a more efficient one.

[27:54]

Grant Trahant:
With Lime operating in so many cities globally, what’s it like navigating policy in places like Europe compared to the U.S.?

Andrew Savage:
Our experience helps a lot, but every market is different, requiring local knowledge. We need a team that understands the market and can design a program that works for that city. With regulations like Europe’s Green Deal and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), setting ambitious standards like science-based targets is crucial for compliance and staying ahead of the curve.

[35:07]

Grant Trahant:
Looking ahead, what are some goals you and the team are focused on for the next 3-5 years?

Andrew Savage:
Expanding geographically and deepening within current markets is a major focus. We're also testing new products, like Lime Glide, a sit-down scooter, and Lime Bike, a smaller e-bike for accessibility. We envision future cities with fewer cars and more space for affordable housing, bike lanes, and green areas. Cars are parked 96% of the time. If we can reduce the need for them, cities can reclaim that space, which benefits everyone.

[38:04]

Grant Trahant:
Andrew, thank you so much for sharing Lime’s journey and sustainability efforts. It’s inspiring to hear about your vision for the future of cities.

Andrew Savage:
Thanks, Grant. I’d love to check in again sometime and see how close we’ve come to making that vision a reality.