Toyota Mobility Foundation Sustainable Cities Challenge
Sustainable Cities Challenge Detroit: Transforming Freight
The Sustainable Cities Challenge Detroit is a clean energy initiative to develop innovative freight solutions for Detroit’s historic Eastern Market, reducing fossil fuel use and freight operation costs. We are thrilled to announce the ten semi-finalists chosen to advance in this global competition!
About the Sustainable Cities Challenge Detroit
The Sustainable Cities Challenge is a two-stage, three-year, $9 million global opportunity for cities and innovators.
In June 2023, the Toyota Mobility Foundation, in partnership with Challenge Works and the World Resources Institute, launched this initiative to help cities adapt to the future, potentially transforming millions of lives worldwide.
As cities grow, the need for reliable, efficient, and inclusive transportation is critical. Advances in transport modes, infrastructure design, energy systems, and data connectivity present exciting opportunities. The Challenge aims to improve access to jobs, education, and essential services while addressing carbon emissions and building resilient transport systems.
On May 29, Detroit was selected as one of the top three cities globally for the Challenge. The City of Detroit’s Office of Mobility Innovation will receive $3 million in funding, available by mid-2024, to collaborate with the Eastern Market Partnership on a clean freight project for this historic neighborhood.
Semi-Finalists
The ten semi-finalists chosen for the Challenge are:
- Automotus: Utilizing AI solar cameras to automate the management of loading and unloading areas, reducing emissions and traffic.
- BizFleets: Aggregating vehicle data to identify opportunities for cost savings, emissions reductions, and operational improvements.
- Civilized Cycles: Introducing electric cargo bikes for commercial use, reducing pollution and delivery costs.
- Ecosphere Organics: Transforming food waste into valuable raw materials using organic waste conversion units and optimizing waste logistics.
- ElectricFish Energy, Inc.: Building battery-integrated fast chargers to power EVs and provide backup energy for Eastern Market facilities.
- Emissionless: Leveraging electric trucks and software to decarbonize ground freight transportation.
- Interplai: Implementing route optimization software to enable collaborative logistics for Eastern Market operators.
- Joule Labs, Inc.: Developing flexible, scalable automated EV charging systems for fleet operators.
- Neology: Advancing Ammonia-to-Hydrogen Generation Systems for clean, on-demand hydrogen production.
- Orange Sparkle Ball: Utilizing a data-driven micro-logistics platform to organize first and last-mile freight logistics.
Timeline
- May 29, 2024: Sustainable Cities Challenge Detroit Launches
- September 12, 2024: Entries Close
- November 2024: Semi-Finalist Announcement
- May 2025: Finalist Announcement
- Early 2026: Winner’s Announcement
Innovator Funding and Support
Innovators in the Challenge receive significant support to refine and implement their solutions:
- Semi-Finalists: Ten $50,000 implementation grants
- Finalists: Five $130,000 implementation grants
- Winners: $1.5 million to be shared among up to three winners
Additional resources include:
- Direct engagement with Eastern Market businesses to understand logistics challenges
- Connections to city leaders and capacity-building support
- Access to a global network of like-minded innovators
All funding must be used to develop, test, and implement solutions tailored for Eastern Market.
Why Detroit’s Eastern Market?
Detroit’s Eastern Market is the largest open-air market in the U.S., generating over $360 million annually in wholesale food sales. As the neighborhood expands, it seeks to harmonize increased food production and distribution with clean freight initiatives to ensure environmental sustainability and community health.
The Challenge focuses on solutions that:
- Reduce idling time
- Cut partial loads and empty miles
- Minimize fossil fuel reliance for logistics
- Lower costs and adoption barriers for clean freight technologies
By addressing these priorities, the Sustainable Cities Challenge Detroit will transform Eastern Market into a model for clean, efficient freight systems while safeguarding the health of its residents, workers, and visitors.
For more information, visit the Challenge website.