Kite Mobility’s EVs for Retirees are Kicking Climate Change to the Curb

The Delmanor Aurora retirement home found itself faced with an issue: a lack of sustainable and accessible transportation solutions for active retirees. Seeing this, Kite Mobility and their fleet of electric vehicles rolled up ready to help.

Kite conducted extensive research on the transportation needs of retirees and their mobility preferences. Benchmarking against other vehicles on the market, they identified a gap in EV solutions tailored for retirees. Their research demonstrated a strong demand for reliable EV options that provide a familiar design and driving experience similar to internal combustion engine vehicles while reducing costs and environmental impacts, and enhancing residents’ quality of life.

Having done this research and worked closely with Delmanor Communities to understand their unique challenges and the specific needs of their residents, Kite put the program into high gear. They collaborated with Volvo to procure the XC40 Recharge EVs they’d determined would best fit the residents’ needs and they developed and integrated the Kite Mobility app to provide easy and intuitive access.

Understandably, there was some initial skepticism from Delmanor Aurora residents who have all been around the block a few times without EVs. Confident in their product, Kite kicked off the project with a community event to properly introduce the new services to their savvy potential users. Information sessions were held to explain the benefits and functionality of the EVs and the app, and hands-on training ensured residents felt comfortable with the new technology. An open feedback loop and continuous technical support promptly addressed any issues and soon enough the program was providing a smooth and positive experience for all residents.

The project successfully provided Delmanor Aurora residents with cutting-edge mobile technology and EVs, eliminating car ownership costs. Kite’s user base has grown each month since launch, reducing the community’s carbon footprint and providing a means for residents to avoid the expense and hassle of owning and gassing up a car. Surveys indicate high satisfaction with the ease of use and the positive impact on community engagement and environmental consciousness.

This first-of-its-kind initiative—launched to give one retirement community a roadside boost—has set a new standard for retirement living, combining sustainability with enhanced quality of life.