Lime is introducing its next-generation scooter in Paris this week, demonstrating the company’s financial recovery and ongoing dedication to expansion. However, the company’s product development efforts don’t stop there.

Lime’s Chief Executive Officer, Wayne Ting, indicated during Thursday’s WSJ Future of Everything event that a “third type” of vehicle, in addition to bikes and scooters, is currently being developed for release in the first three months of 2021. Furthermore, the company plans to integrate offerings from other businesses into its platform. Lime recently began incorporating Wheels-branded electric bicycles into its application in select locations, and Ting anticipates further collaborations of this nature.

Ting refrained from providing detailed information regarding this “third type” of vehicle, but explained that it is likely to be suitable for longer journeys than the current scooters and offer improved cargo-carrying capabilities.

“Our goal is to ensure the product appeals to a wider range of individuals who may not consider using a scooter,” Ting stated.

Currently, Lime is concentrating on the deployment of the Gen4 scooter, which Ting believes will exceed the operational lifespan of its predecessor by more than two years. The Gen4 will become available throughout Europe in early 2021. A significant portion of the Gen4’s development was carried out by engineers formerly with Uber’s Jump micromobility division. Uber transferred Jump to Lime earlier this year as part of a $170 million funding round.

TechCrunch had previously seen images of Jump’s planned scooter model, which ultimately was not released. The majority of Jump’s workforce was unfortunately reduced. Lime has confirmed that some Jump employees were hired to continue their work.

Lime acknowledged the contributions of the Jump employees in a blog post on Thursday, expressing gratitude for their “efforts in the initial creation of this new model.” Lime clarified that its own research and development team further refined the design to prepare it for launch and will continue to improve the Gen4 over time. The company prioritized enhancing the Jump scooter’s robustness and replaced certain components to enable the reuse of parts from existing Lime vehicles. 

The Gen4 features handlebars with a swept-back design, similar to those found on bicycles, which Lime asserts provides a more comfortable grip. The new model also includes upgraded suspension and larger wheels, a dual hand-brake system, a lower deck to improve the scooter’s center of gravity, and a new kickstand with a two-leg design.

A key improvement is the inclusion of a replaceable battery, which Ting described as a “significant advancement in current technology.” These interchangeable batteries will also be compatible with Lime’s fleet of electric bikes, further optimizing the company’s logistical operations, as stated on Thursday.

Lime announced on Thursday that it achieved both positive operating cash flow and positive free cash flow in the third quarter—a first for the company—and is projected to be profitable for the full year, excluding specific expenses (EBIT), in 2021. This positive shift will enable the company to continue investing in product innovation and expanding its service area, according to Ting.