Bird Unveils the Bird Three, the World's Most Eco-Conscious Shared Electric Scooter

Rhea-AI Summary

Bird has launched Bird Three, the world's most eco-conscious electric scooter, designed for shared use and engineered in California. This marks a significant step as Bird prepares to go public via a merger with Switchback II Corporation (NYSE: SWBK). The Bird Three shows promising early results, indicating 400% reduction in vehicle damages and 185% increase in rides per vehicle. The scooter features a larger battery for more rides per charge, contributing to sustainability goals by potentially easing the transition to eco-friendly transportation.

Positive

• Bird Three has a larger battery, allowing for more rides per charge, enhancing sustainability.
• Early tests indicate a 400% reduction in vehicle damages and a 185% increase in rides per vehicle.
• Designed to help meet climate goals by promoting the use of electric micro-vehicles.
• Durability improvements through aerospace-grade materials and extensive testing.

Negative

• None.

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

FAQ

What is the Bird Three electric scooter?

The Bird Three is an eco-conscious electric scooter designed for shared use, recently launched by Bird.

How does the Bird Three improve sustainability?

The Bird Three features a larger battery, allowing for more rides per charge and reducing its carbon footprint.

What are the early results from the Bird Three's market tests?

Early tests show a 400% reduction in vehicle damages and a 185% increase in rides taken per vehicle.

What is the significance of Bird's merger with Switchback II Corporation?

The merger will take Bird public, enabling further growth in the electric transportation sector.

When will the Bird Three be available globally?

The Bird Three is set to roll out globally starting in summer 2021.