MovIAtech, a Lojelis subsidiary, aims to increase sustainable mobility through the design and development of innovative technological solutions. In 2023, their mobile application, Mobinow, which makes it easy to manage a fleet, whatever the type of vehicle or energy, is being rolled out across France. In July, MovIAtech takes part in the Tour de France, putting hydrogen-powered vehicles on the road for the advertising caravans – a world first. Innovation is an integral part of the company’s culture, so to find out more, we asked one of their employees a few questions.
What is your position at MovIAtech?
As Product Manager, I manage various projects at MovIAtech. Like Mobinow, our multi-vehicle, multi-energy fleet management, reservation and car-sharing tool. I’m also in charge of Mobinnov, the creation of a communicating ecosystem between the different players in mobility, and particularly hydrogen mobility. Recently, I also contributed to the decarbonization of vehicle fleets such as the Tour de France publicity caravan on behalf of the Auvergne Rhône Alpes region.
Can you tell us more about the project to decarbonize an advertising caravan for the Tour de France 2023 ?
The project was born out of a desire by BBN (an events communications agency) to play an active part in decarbonizing the Tour de France via the advertising caravan.
The idea was to create an advertising caravan with 4 vehicles (Hyundai Nexo) running on decarbonized hydrogen over 10 stages of the Tour de France 2023.
Thanks to the confidence of the Auvergne Rhône Alpes region, this initiative was made possible.
This type of caravan had never before been carried out with hydrogen-powered vehicles.
It wasa world first!
To set it up, we had two major challenges to meet:
- Find hydrogen-powered vehicles capable of driving around 400km a day in a variety of demanding operating conditions.
- Daily refuelling of these 4 vehicles throughout the route.
What skills do you think are needed for this project?
Firstly, knowledge of the hydrogen ecosystem is important: how hydrogen-powered vehicles and stations work, knowing the players involved…
Secondly, project management skills are essential to get the project up and running. You also need to be able to adapt and anticipate potential problems.
And a final point is to be able to communicate effectively with the various service providers and partners to ensure that there is no ambiguity, that requirements are clearly defined and that all the specificities linked to this type of event are integrated.
Were there any obstacles to overcome during this experience? How did you manage them?
Yes, there were. For example, the low density of hydrogen refueling stations was a major challenge. This constraint had an impact on the logistical planning of the project, making vehicle travel and refuelling more complex. This was particularly true on one stage, when there was no refuelling station nearby. To remedy this, we called in a mobile refuelling station, which we had to place in a strategic location to ensure the smooth running of the project.
Has this innovative project had an impact on your motivation and commitment? ?
Yes, it has had a very positive impact on my motivation and commitment.
Contributing to the design and implementation of clean, sustainable transportation solutions based on hydrogen technology has given me a strong sense of accomplishment.
Taking part in this project has also enabled me to help raise awareness and promote hydrogen technology to a wider public.
I was also very enthusiastic about the idea of harnessing data and digital technology to facilitate the adoption of new energies.
How does the Lojelis Group encourage a culture of innovation among its employees? ?
Lojelis is committed to providing a dynamic working environment that cultivates creativity and innovation. Workspaces are designed to be open and flexible, encouraging the free flow of ideas. Some Group entities are based in coworking spaces, further encouraging creativity and innovation within these spaces in contact with other industry players. We believe that creating an environment conducive to innovation stimulates creative thinking and encourages the development of innovative solutions.
Among other very concrete actions too, Lojelis invests in the professional development of its employees by offering training programs focused on innovation and creativity. By encouraging continuous learning, Lojelis aims to inspire its employees to constantly push back the boundaries of their knowledge to stay at the forefront of innovation.
A company that integrates innovation into its teams has a positive impact on employee motivation and commitment. And what if innovation also became a key factor of success and attractiveness in recruitment? Does it help attract the best talent?
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