We call our vehicle the MOIA +6. Why this name? "MOIA" is a slightly modified word from the Hindu Sanskrit for "Maya" and means something like "magical". But that's not all - it also contains a reference to Volkswagen: Turned upside down, the inverted capital letters make a "VW", which is combined with the letters I and O. In IT, the abbreviation i/o stands for input/output. This emphasises MOIA's DNA as a technology company.
Our MOIA +6 was designed for the sharing age and thus especially for ridepooling and was developed together with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The technical foundation for this was the Volkswagen Crafter, which was electrified for our purpose. From the very first day of development, we focused on co-creation. The MOIA +6 was designed according to the wishes and ideas of the future passengers and drivers. In addition, the requirements for emission-free urban transport played an important role in the development.
Our goal was to develop a car that makes it easy to share a journey with others without giving up the comfort of your own vehicle. Thus, the MOIA +6 can carry 6 passengers, who all have enough space for themselves, and is designed to enable the customers to get in and out of the car undisturbed.
Short & sweet: the technical details of our MOIA vehicles
Dimensions:
- Length: 5.98 m
- Height (without antenna): 2.27 m
- Width (above mirrors): 2.42 m
- Legroom in the interior: approx. 36 cm
Engine:
- Battery capacity: 87 kWh
- Range (according to WLTP): 300 km
- Charging time to 80 %: approx. 30 minutes (DC charging)
- Charging power: up to 100 kW (DC)
- Max. Speed: 90 km/h
Other features:
- Space for 6 passengers + driver
- Freestanding seats with cocooning headrests for more privacy
- Children: 3 x ISOFIX child restraint; 1 x child seat group 1-3 (9-36 kg); 1x booster seat (from 125 cm and 22 kg)
- Colour: Pluto yellow metallic
- Automatic air conditioning
- Luggage compartment
- USB port at each seat
- Wi-Fi
Look and feel at MOIA
Every journey with MOIA should be pleasant for drivers and passengers. This is an important part of our service promise. And you notice it as soon as you get in: the door opens automatically. A wide entrance with an easy-to-reach handle, for example, also allows older people to enter safely. Directly to the right is a luggage compartment that offers space for larger backpacks, hand luggage, groceries or foldable walking aids.
The interior of the MOIA is generously proportioned with free-standing seats, ample legroom and enough space to reach every seat comfortably. Those who are not travelling alone will even find a loveseat in the rear section - similar in design to a cosy double seat you would find in cinemas. The space concept is complemented by free-standing individual seats with generous headrests, which offer a good deal of privacy as well as comfort. Two Group 3 (22-36 kg) and Group 2 (15-25 kg) child seats are always on board.
A screen always shows passengers the current location as well as the estimated time of arrival. In addition, the display shows the initials of the guests who are already in the vehicle or who will be boarding. Free Wi-Fi is available in all MOIA vehicles, and each seat has a reading lamp and a USB port for charging a smartphone, tablet or other device.
It drives all-electric
What is not directly visible is one of the most decisive features of our MOIA +6: the fact that it is all-electric. Almost emission-free and quiet, the MOIAs glide through the streets of Hamburg and Hanover. Additionally, the electricity our vehicles run on is also green. This means they can get through the day reliably: the MOIA +6 has a range of around 300 kilometres and can be charged to 80 percent within a good half hour. The vehicles achieve this charging speed at fast-charging stations where they can be charged with direct current (DC).
The home of MOIA: our depots
There are depots at the Hanover and Hamburg locations: our so-called Hubs. This is where the vehicles are maintained, managed and handed over for the next shift. In Hamburg, for example, there are a total of three hubs spread throughout the city:
- Horn
- Wandsbek
- Stellingen
On the one hand, a complete charging infrastructure is available at each of these hubs. The vehicles can be charged slowly using AC charging points, which usually happens overnight. In addition, DC fast chargers are available, which help to quickly supply a MOIA +6 with electricity again, especially during the breaks of our drivers. This is particularly important when the vehicles need to get back on the road quickly when demand is high.
In addition, the hubs serve as a place for our drivers to stay during breaks, for cleaning the vehicles several times a day and for minor repair work. During the tours, there are also additional charging options at selected MOIA partners when breaks are taken along the way. Our partners include Telekom and Aral.
Outlook: What's in store for us in the future?
We are continuously working to improve our MOIA +6 and thereby provide more people with reliable access to flexible mobility. That's why we expanded our fleet in Hamburg with 15 barrier-free vehicles in January 2023.
In addition, MOIA is to become autonomous in the future. Our goal is to develop an autonomous ridepooling system in Hamburg by 2025. To this end, we are working closely with our partner Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. With the ID. Buzz AD, VWN is providing the right vehicle for this.
Until 2025, intensive test drives will be carried out under real conditions with and without passengers - initially always with safety drivers - in order to optimally test the operational processes of an automated ridepooling service. In 2023, it is planned to test the ID. Buzz AD for the first time on the streets of Hamburg with VWN. The first autonomous rides with a closed user group will then follow from the beginning of 2024 onwards.
At MOIA, we are working on automating all processes so that the autonomous driving experience works best for you - from your request via the MOIA app, to boarding, to arriving at your destination.
Do you have further questions about our MOIA vehicles? You can find a lot more information in our FAQ.