Self-service car sharing coming to Biel/Bienne

LEVs are car/motorcycle hybrids with a roof, luggage space and an electric motor with a range of 50 km. They are small enough not to require a driver's license, and to drive on bicycle lanes – avoiding heavier traffic on the roads. Enuu’s team ensures that the LEVs are sufficiently charged and distributed throughout the city. Users can locate and book the LEV via a smartphone app. The first three rides are free per day and extra rides costing three Swiss francs per 20 minutes. This free carsharing concept is the world’s first business model of its kind.

Previously Enuu launched a pilot project with three of its Light Electric Vehicle (LEV) at the EPFL Sustainable Campus. “We were extremely happy with our pilot project on the EPFL campus which confirms the viability of our service”, said Yoan Loetscher, Co-founder and managing partner of Enuu.

Alongside the pilot, the team conducted a survey with all the users regarding the App, the vehicles, the service and the mobility in general. While the analysis is still in progress, Loetsche affirms that the trends extracted from this quantitative analysis are very positive. “85 percent of the respondents would use our service if it was available in their city and general satisfaction is not far from 90%. We are taking a “hands-on” approach based on survey’s feedback”.

This summer the startup will launch a larger pilot project in the city of Biel/Bienne with 13 of its vehicles. Inhabitants in the city will have the opportunity to use the vehicles during the planned of 12 months project.

The startup plans to launch in three Swiss cities in Q3 2019 and later in EU cities including Germany, Netherlands and Denmark. “We are currently talking to the respective local authorities”, concluded Loetscher.

(RAN)