Don't miss your next business season!
December 6, 2021
min. read
All over the world various mobility solutions are becoming more and more popular. However, the global shortage of semiconductors and many other parts required to produce vehicles, as well as challenges in logistics are becoming increasingly apparent. Even big companies including carmakers and Apple have been forced to announce that they are cutting production. So if you are planning to launch or expand your mobility business during the next season, this is the last moment to order vehicles and get ready.
Before starting any mobility business, there are three aspects you must consider: market research, software integration, and hardware, as well as vehicle manufacturing and delivery. Market research is entirely dependent on your efforts. You can leave the software to ATOM. Adapting ATOM software to your business idea won't take more than 20 days. However right now the biggest challenge currently all over the world is hardware and vehicle manufacturing and delivery.
Force majeure started shortly after the pandemic, with a dramatic increase in demand for different materials that were previously available in appropriate amounts. Unfortunately, at ATOM we experienced situations when our clients were ready to start their mobility businesses in March and April 2020, but couldn’t launch it before September and even October for the simple reason that vehicles had not yet been delivered. So they just had to watch in frustration as the hottest season passed them by.
It’s a bit easier in Europe
What options of ordering vehicles do you have? If you are located in Europe, then, of course, Europe is the first thing that pops up in your mind. However, the spring of 2020 showed that the availability of vehicles in Europe is extremely limited. If you are not planning a big fleet, then you can probably get by somehow. But if you are planning a fleet with over 100 units, there are just a few options.
The other option is China. ATOM team can help you with contacts, but even so, the task is not simple. It takes time to negotiate with hardware and vehicle providers. You should double-check and make sure that all the details are right, all the documents are in order, and that the vehicles will be ready, as well as shipped on time.
Up to 90 days
At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what manufacturer you choose, the manufacturing lead time starts from the down payment. Depending on the fleet size ordered, you should bear in mind that the lead time may range from 40-90 days. Any customized products or special orders will increase the production lead time to 60-90 days. And it still depends on the number of orders made at the same time by different clients.
The closer the season gets, the more orders can be made. This could also influence the price - the manufacturer may decide to charge more if demand is high. This means unexpected expenditures for you even before your business is up and running.
Fernando Brito, Sales operations manager at ACTON, one of the leading micro-mobility vehicle manufacturers on the market, says that you should definitely add six weeks to the schedule before making a discovery call to the manufacturer and making your final decision. “Normally it takes several meetings to reach a decision. During the first meeting, ACTON usually presents its solutions and listens to the customer’s needs. The next step is the making of a quote. Of course, this usually also creates some discussions and throws up additional issues like shipping costs, taxes, production lead time, and also needs regarding any specific local regulation. Beyond this, this step usually leads to a demo call where all technical and specification details about the vehicles are covered. If everything goes well, then the decision to proceed is made and production can begin. However, negotiations can take more time. In addition, complicated regulatory compliance can require extra meetings about the really specific features of the vehicle. So it is better, of course, to have extra time so you don’t find yourself having to make any decisions in a hurry,” says Fernando.
Additionally, at the beginning of the high season, everything can get a bit crazy. “We try to ensure that our production can fulfill that demand. Moreover, as we grow we are increasing our operational capacity in several markets - namely, Europe - with new facilities and additional personnel. Right now, we are not experiencing any queues for orders, because we’ve planned our production accordingly, and we manage customer expectations successfully,” explains Fernando. He says that ACTON has some batches of vehicles in stock so the company is ready for extra orders of standard vehicles - these can be shipped within 2 to 3 weeks.
Unpredictable logistics
There is still one phase to consider and this is delivering the product to the owner. Covid-19 has posed new challenges to logistics. According to a representative of our logistics partner ACE logistics, planning and implementing logistics could be a real struggle at present: “The pandemic has had a major impact on supply chains all over the world. There were periods when the main Chinese ports were closed for several weeks due to quarantine. There have been movement restrictions in countries due to COVID-19. Factories are short of personnel and therefore the fulfillment of orders is subject to long delays. At the same time, the global consumption boom and economic growth are demanding ever more manufactured goods.”
And with no prospect of a brighter outlook in the immediate to short term, this should be taken into account while planning any orders. According to ACE logistics, the peak importing season from Asia has always been and will be the period from Golden Week in October to the Chinese New Year. During this three to four-month period, massive volumes of industrial, seasonal, and lifestyle goods are exported from China. Historically, spring and summer are a quieter period in terms of freight volumes, which has also led to some slackness inactivity. Unfortunately, this was not the case in 2021. “Since November 2020, we have continued to see freight rates rising several times a month. Waiting times for an empty container and available space on board have already exceeded four to five weeks. Huge volumes of goods have also hit the speed of customs clearance. In addition, we are seeing our customers struggle with manufacturers, who are also under strain. The energy crisis leaves a strong mark on all parties involved. And the global consumption boom is significantly extending the originally planned lead-time,” warns the ACE logistics representative.
Are you ready for the spring of 2022?
Preparations for the spring season are now in full swing. If your goal is to get goods to Europe by the beginning of March 2022, waiting times for empty containers and berths are up to a month. Additionally sea transit times from China to European ports are approximately four to six weeks. Now is the time to lock in deals in the coming weeks! However, it is important to keep in mind that even the best planning is no guarantee that the desired deadlines will be met.
In short, you have to make a decision and place an order for manufacturing hardware and vehicles for your mobility business no later than the middle of December before the Christmas holidays. Then you might get your order by the beginning of the season in March. Orders from manufacturers in Europe are a bit easier, but the availability of vehicles in stocks in Europe could be extremely limited.
All additional measures required to launch your mobility business when your vehicles arrive should be done simultaneously. ATOM can start to prepare all the necessary configurations and integrations for your hardware right away. It will be ready in a maximum of 20 days. Contact us here!
Interested in launching your own mobility platform?
Click below to learn more or request a demo.
Blog
How to retain drivers on your ride-hailing platform long term
🚗💬 Why do ride-hail drivers quit – and what makes them stay? We break down insights from the 2025 Gig Driver Report and show how ATOM Mobility helps platforms keep drivers happy with instant payouts, dynamic pricing, and smarter tools.
September 23, 2025
min. read
How to retain drivers on your ride-hailing platform long term
In the ride-hailing business, getting enough drivers online is critical. But keeping them there is what really drives long-term success. Unlike traditional taxi services, ride-hailing drivers are independent contractors. They don’t have fixed shifts, guaranteed income, or long-term contracts. They log on when it suits them, and just as quickly, they can log off – or switch to another app.
That flexibility means you're not only competing for riders. You're also competing for drivers, every single day.
What makes ride-hailing different for drivers
Compared to traditional taxis, the ride-hailing model offers drivers more independence but less security. Taxi drivers usually worked under a dispatcher, used company-owned vehicles, and followed a set schedule. Ride-hailing drivers use their own car, their own time, and often multiple apps.
The benefits are clear: flexibility, lower entry barriers, and instant access to earnings. But the downsides are just as real: unpredictable income, lack of support, and platform instability. For platforms, that means driver loyalty is fragile. Small changes – like delayed payments or fewer rides – can cause drivers to leave.
Why driver retention matters
Most ride-hailing operators focus heavily on passenger growth. But without enough reliable drivers, demand turns into frustration. When wait times grow or no vehicles are available, users abandon the app. This makes driver retention a key metric – not just for operations but also for brand trust and profitability.
It’s more expensive to onboard a new driver than to keep an experienced one. A stable driver base delivers smoother rides, higher ratings, and better service coverage. If your drivers are churning every few weeks, your entire operation becomes reactive.
Inside the 2025 Gig Driver Report
A recent survey by Everee sheds light on what drivers want - and what makes them quit. In May 2025, 419 gig drivers in the U.S. were surveyed. Most of them worked across multiple apps, including Uber, Lyft and Shipt. The full findings are available in the 2025 Gig Driver Report by Everee.
Key findings:
- 68% of drivers work with two or more gig apps every month. Only 32% stick to one.
- 84% say fast access to earnings is important or very important when deciding where to work.
- 70% of drivers want their money within 24 hours.
- 44% would consider quitting if instant payouts became slower or more expensive.
- 21% would leave if onboarding took too long.
These numbers show how sensitive drivers are to delays, unclear policies, and inefficiencies. A small friction point in your system could be enough to push them to a competitor.
Why drivers leave
The survey also highlighted the most common reasons drivers stop working with a platform:
- 59% left after a sudden drop in pay rates or bonuses
- 48% due to fewer available jobs
- 44% when fees or restrictions were added to instant payouts
- 41% because of safety concerns during pickups or drop-offs
- 39% due to rigid scheduling or lack of flexibility
In short, if drivers feel their earnings or control are at risk, they move on. The ride-hailing industry is too competitive for platforms to assume drivers will stay loyal without constant support and improvement.
What platforms can do to retain drivers
To retain drivers long term, platforms need to act on what drivers value most. According to the same report, the top three areas that would increase loyalty are:
- Guaranteed minimum earnings or predictable income
- Better access to instant payouts
- A smoother, faster onboarding process
Additionally, drivers want to feel that their time is respected, their safety is prioritized, and that they are not left guessing about payments or platform changes.
How ATOM Mobility helps you build driver loyalty
With ATOM Mobility’s platform, ride-hailing operators have access to several features designed specifically with drivers in mind.
The “Offer Your Price” feature allows riders to bid slightly more during high demand or bad traffic conditions, giving drivers the chance to earn extra when it matters most.
Dynamic pricing lets operators automatically raise fares during weekends, holidays, or peak hours so that drivers earn more when demand spikes.
One of the most impactful tools is the instant revenue split system, where a driver’s commission is transferred directly to their Stripe Connect account after every successful ride. This eliminates waiting times and builds trust through real-time, transparent payouts.
To make things even smoother, ATOM Mobility offers a dedicated driver app where drivers can track performance, see earnings, and review ride history.
All of this adds up to a professional, transparent experience for drivers - and a stronger incentive to stay on your platform long term.
A dedicated driver app helps drivers track performance, earnings, and ride history. This kind of visibility increases engagement and reduces confusion. Instead of contacting support for payment questions, drivers can see everything directly in the app. The experience feels more professional and structured – which increases the chance they’ll stay longer.
You can explore the dedicated driver app in more detail on driver app overview.
Faster onboarding leads to faster activation
Another key piece of retention is how quickly drivers can get started. Platforms that make onboarding long or confusing lose drivers before the first ride. ATOM Mobility supports streamlined onboarding flows with pre-filled fields, automatic document validation, and built-in guides. In some cases, drivers can be onboarded, verified, and ready to drive within hours – not days.
A better experience creates loyalty
Drivers are not just users of your app – they are ambassadors of your brand. Every interaction they have, from the first sign-up to the latest payout, shapes how they feel about your platform. If it’s smooth, fair, and rewarding, they’re likely to stay. If not, they’ll be gone before the next weekend rush.
By investing in the right tools and understanding what really matters to drivers, platforms can reduce churn, increase satisfaction, and build a loyal driver base. And in a market where supply is everything, that loyalty pays off.
If you're building a ride-hailing operation and want to give your drivers a reason to stay, ATOM Mobility gives you the technology to make it happen. From instant payments to dynamic pricing and a dedicated driver app, everything is designed to keep your fleet active and engaged – for the long haul.
Blog
ATOM Connect 2025: Where Europe’s shared mobility leaders meet
👉 ATOM Connect 2025 is an exclusive shared mobility networking event hosted by ATOM Mobility in collaboration with INVERS. This focused gathering will bring together industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers from Europe's car-sharing and car-rental sectors to explore the future of shared mobility.
September 16, 2025
min. read
What happens when professionals from Europe’s car sharing and car rental industries gather under one roof? You get a day filled with fresh ideas, insightful discussions, and valuable connections that help shape the future of mobility. That’s what awaits at ATOM Connect 2025 - a dedicated industry event hosted by ATOM Mobility in partnership with INVERS.
This year’s gathering takes place on October 30, 2025, in Riga, Latvia, at the panoramic top floor of the AC Hotel by Marriott. With views stretching across Riga’s historic Art Nouveau district, the setting offers an inspiring backdrop for meaningful conversations about the next steps in shared mobility.
Date & Time: October 30, 2025, from 15:00 onwards
Location: AC Hotel by Marriott, Riga (top floor with panoramic views)
Hosts: ATOM Mobility & INVERS
Format: Expert talks, interactive Q&A, networking sessions, and evening drinks
Topics covered:
- Market insights from INVERS
- Scaling car sharing businesses
- Digital transformation in rentals
- Corporate mobility opportunities
- Eastern Europe’s shared mobility landscape
Why Attend ATOM Connect 2025?
Learn from industry experts
The agenda is designed to address today’s most relevant mobility challenges. Expect data-driven insights from INVERS, practical strategies for scaling car sharing operations, discussions on digital rental solutions and corporate mobility, plus a closer look at the unique opportunities and challenges in Eastern Europe.
The event will also be joined by BYD, one of the world’s fastest-growing electric vehicle makers, who will showcase their innovative, affordable EVs at our event.
Build valuable connections
ATOM Connect 2025 is a focused gathering that brings together operators, rental businesses, and mobility experts from across Europe. With a mix of talks, networking breaks, and an evening reception, the event offers the perfect setting to exchange experiences, discuss challenges, and explore future partnerships.
Join the Conversation
If you’re active in car sharing or rental industry and want to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market, ATOM Connect 2025 is a must-attend event. Together with INVERS, we’re creating a space where the European shared mobility community can connect, learn, and look toward the future.
👉 Save the date and request your spot today*: https://www.atommobility.com/atom-connect-2025
*Please note: ATOM Connect 2025 is intended for shared car mobility and car rental industry professionals. Registration requests will be reviewed before confirmation.
Driver App demo credentials - Email: test@atom.com, Password: driver
