Next Modular Vehicles, the Italian modular e-bus gets a €2.5 million investment from UAE

It is called Next Modular Vehicles, and it is the first electric bus with a modular imprinting, so that it can be adjusted for any capacity need. The concept was conceived by the Italian company NExT, founded by Tommaso Gecchelin, a graduate in Physics and Industrial Design.

The company has an operational office in Dubai. Now they have been awarded an investment agreement for the entry of Paradigma Management Consultancies LLC (from the Arab Emirates) into its shareholding structure, which strengthens the existing partnership with an investment of €2.5 million.

Next Modular Vehicles, how does it work?

The goal of Next Modular Vehicles is that of being capable of responding both to typical public transport needs and of being configured for on-demand use where required. The vehicle can indeed be used as a single ‘wagon’ or hooked up to other modules, depending on the transport demand at the time.

We are proud and grateful for this partnership, which aims to revolutionise mobility thanks to a new transport model that overcomes the traditional rigidity of today’s vehicles with a flexible approach based on the integration of big data and our unique modular vehicles

Tommaso Gecchelin, founder, CEO and CTO of NExT

During peak hours, the vehicle can start its journey with 5 or more connected pods (where feasible) to accommodate peak demand. Depending on the number of pods, the capacity can go up to the same as a 18-meter bus, or even a tram, in cases where it’s feasible to connect more than 5 pods. At off-peak times, it can instead circulate with a lighter configuration of 2 or 3 modules, and those not needed to cover demand can be parked and kept in charge in anticipation of the next peak.

“Paradigma Management Consultancies LLC and its partners will be instrumental in the transition to the operational phase in the UAE, thanks to a significant financial contribution and the provision of an assembly site, business contacts and highly qualified personnel, essential for production”, NExT states in a press release announcing the deal.

NExT modular vehicles, for the public transport of the future

“This agreement represents an important step in the direction of NExT’s growth as a concrete solution for the public transport of the future,” explains Tommaso Gecchelin, founder, CEO and CTO of NExT. “We are proud and grateful for this partnership, which aims to revolutionise mobility thanks to a new transport model that overcomes the traditional rigidity of today’s vehicles with a flexible approach based on the integration of big data and our unique modular vehicles”.

“We are delighted to announce our strong partnership with NExT,” says Antonio Guadagnino, partner at Paradigma Management Consultancies LLC. “We fully embrace its vision of contributing high-impact projects to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of Agenda 2030. NExT is a revolutionary mobility system, expected by many cities and considered by international experts as a benchmark for efficiency and traffic reduction that cannot be matched by traditional vehicles. We are also very happy to support and enrich this vision with experience in all those strategic markets where NExT is gathering great interest.