LOS ANGELES, May 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bird, a leader
in shared short range environmentally friendly electric
transportation, today unveiled Bird Three, the world's most
eco-conscious electric scooter specifically designed for shared
use. The third generation e-scooter, custom designed and engineered
by Bird's California-based team,
comes on the heels of Bird becoming one of the first in the sector
to announce its intention to enter the public markets through a
definitive agreement with Switchback II Corporation (NYSE:
SWBK).
Initially piloted in Berlin and
Tel Aviv, the Bird Three will be
rolled out globally beginning this summer. Every aspect of Bird
Three was intentionally designed and expertly crafted to keep
riders safe, cities clean and carbon emissions as low as possible.
Early market tests indicated that Bird Three boasts a significant
improvement in durability - citing a nearly 400% drop in vehicle
damages - and is being embraced by riders, as illustrated by a 185%
increase in rides taken per vehicle. These signals, paired with the
increased number of trips Bird Three can provide on a single
battery charge, point to the vehicle's eco-conscious design and
reduced carbon footprint.
According to Scott Rushforth,
Bird's Chief Vehicle Officer, "A scooter's battery is directly
linked to its environmental impact, and those with smaller
batteries require more frequent charging and power fewer trips per
charge resulting in an increased carbon footprint. Bird Three's
bigger battery delivers more rides and more miles traveled on a
single charge than any other shared e-scooter available today. More
miles traveled leads to more sustainable rides and, ultimately,
decreased carbon emissions throughout the vehicle's entire life
cycle."
Bird Three: Bringing Sustainability, Safety and Smart
Technology to Riders Globally
For countries like
the United States to meet
critical, long-term climate goals, as much as 90% of all road
vehicles must be electrified by 2050 and 20% of all vehicle miles
reduced by the end of the decade. Bird Three was designed to help
further accelerate this modeshift from gas-powered cars to micro
electric vehicles for the trillions of trips taken each year that
are five miles or less. The innovative vehicle's sustainability,
safety and smart technology help to put cities everywhere on a path
to reaching their climate goals. An outline of the most notable
features of the Bird Three are below, and for more information,
please visit:
https://bird.co/blog/new-bird-three-worlds-most-eco-conscious-scooter/
Sustainability
- Bigger battery, smaller environmental impact: A high capacity
battery with real-time diagnostic monitoring and industry leading
IP68-rated protection provides more miles traveled on a single
charge than any other shared e-scooter.
- Circular Economy Design: Eco-conscious design and construction
maximizes lifespan, minimizes waste and increases second life and
recycling opportunities.
- Durability: Designed using aerospace-grade A380 mated to an
AL6061 extrusion provides the ability to withstand the rigors of
shared use and is backed by more than 60k simulated impact tests.
Safety
- Riding on Clean Air: Automotive grade, self-sealing pneumatic
tires deliver a soft and stable ride over all surface types without
risk of getting a flat or requiring complicated suspension systems
that present safety issues.
- See and Be Seen: New high-powered, German K-mark certified LED
headlights and taillight provide superior visibility while riding
and by other road users, even during daylight hours.
- Extended Chassis: An elongated wheelbase provides increased
stability on all terrains, creating an improved vehicle fit for
more individuals and improving riders' overall comfort.
Smart Technology
- Real Time Monitoring and Diagnostics: More than 200 diagnostic
sensors monitor each component of Bird Three in real time to ensure
a safe ride each and every time.
- Advanced Proprietary Operating System: Updated seamlessly and
wirelessly over the air, Bird Three enforces speed zone and
sidewalk detection compliance for cities while offering
auto-calibration of brake sensors and anti-theft encryption.
- Smart Acceleration Technology: With a new dual-sensor throttle,
inspired by automotive technology, provides redundant sensor
verification as well as safe and consistent acceleration for a
steady ride.
About Bird:
Bird is an electric vehicle transportation company dedicated to
bringing affordable, environmentally friendly transportation
solutions to communities across the world. Today, it provides a
fleet of shared electric scooters to riders in over 200 cities and
makes its products available for purchase at www.bird.co and via
leading retailers and distribution partners. Bird partners closely
with the cities in which it operates to provide a reliable and
affordable transportation option for people who live and work
there. Founded in 2017 by transportation pioneer Travis
VanderZanden, Bird is rapidly expanding. Follow Bird on Instagram
(www.instagram.com/bird), on Twitter at @BirdRide, and find
more information at www.bird.co.
About Switchback II Corporation:
Switchback II
Corporation was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger,
amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase,
reorganization or similar business combination with one or more
businesses or entities. Switchback focused its search for a target
business in the broad energy transition or sustainability arena
targeting industries that require innovative solutions to
decarbonize in order to meet critical emission reduction
objectives.
Important Information About the Proposed Transaction and
Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed business
combination, Bird Global, Inc. ("Bird Global") filed a registration
statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-256187) (the "Form S-4") with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The Form S-4
includes a proxy statement of Switchback II Corporation
("Switchback II") and a prospectus of Bird Global. Additionally,
Switchback II and Bird Global filed and will file other relevant
materials with the SEC in connection with the business combination.
Copies may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's web site at
www.sec.gov. Security holders of Switchback II are urged to read
the proxy statement/prospectus and the other relevant materials
before making any voting decision with respect to the proposed
business combination because they contain important information
about the business combination and the parties to the business
combination. The information contained on, or that may be accessed
through, the websites referenced in this communication is not
incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this
communication.
Participants in the Solicitation
Switchback II and its
directors and officers may be deemed participants in the
solicitation of proxies of Switchback II's shareholders in
connection with the proposed business combination. Bird Rides, Inc.
("Bird") and its officers and directors may also be deemed
participants in such solicitation. Security holders may obtain more
detailed information regarding the names, affiliations and
interests of certain of Switchback II's executive officers and
directors in the solicitation by reading Switchback II's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and the proxy
statement/prospectus and other relevant materials filed with the
SEC in connection with the business combination. Information
concerning the interests of Switchback II's participants in the
solicitation, which may, in some cases, be different than those of
their shareholders generally, is set forth in the proxy
statement/prospectus relating to the business combination.
Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this
communication includes "forward-looking statements." All
statements, other than statements of present or historical fact
included in this communication, regarding Switchback II's proposed
business combination with Bird, Switchback II's ability to
consummate the transaction, the benefits of the transaction and the
combined company's future financial performance, as well as the
combined company's strategy, future operations, estimated financial
position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs,
prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking
statements. When used in this communication, the words "could,"
"should," "will," "may," "believe," "anticipate," "intend,"
"estimate," "expect," "project," the negative of such terms and
other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking
statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain
such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based
on management's current expectations and assumptions about future
events and are based on currently available information as to the
outcome and timing of future events. Except as otherwise required
by applicable law, Switchback II and Bird disclaim any duty to
update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly
qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or
circumstances after the date of this communication. Switchback II
and Bird caution you that these forward-looking statements are
subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, most of which are
difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of
either Switchback II or Bird. In addition, Switchback II and Bird
caution you that the forward-looking statements contained in this
communication are subject to the following factors: (i) the
occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could
delay the business combination or give rise to the termination of
the agreements related thereto; (ii) the outcome of any legal
proceedings that may be instituted against Switchback II or Bird
following announcement of the transactions; (iii) the inability to
complete the business combination due to the failure to obtain
approval of the shareholders of Switchback II, or other conditions
to closing in the transaction agreement; (iv) the risk that the
proposed business combination disrupts Switchback II's or Bird's
current plans and operations as a result of the announcement of the
transactions; (v) Bird's ability to realize the anticipated
benefits of the business combination, which may be affected by,
among other things, competition and the ability of Bird to grow and
manage growth profitably following the business combination; (vi)
costs related to the business combination; (vii) changes in
applicable laws or regulations; and (viii) the possibility that
Bird may be adversely affected by other economic, business and/or
competitive factors. Should one or more of the risks or
uncertainties described in this communication occur, or should
underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and plans
could different materially from those expressed in any
forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these
and other factors that may impact the operations and projections
discussed herein can be found in Switchback II's periodic filings
with the SEC, including Switchback II's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2020, and in the Form S-4 filed by Bird Global. Switchback
II's and Bird Global's SEC filings are available publicly on the
SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication shall not
constitute a solicitation of a proxy, consent, or authorization
with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed
transaction. This communication shall also not constitute an offer
to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor
shall there be any sale of securities in any states or
jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be
unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the
securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities
shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the
requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
Media Contact
Jed Hamilton
BirdPR@icrinc.com
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SOURCE Switchback II Corporation