Micromobility provider HumanForest has announced the launch of London’s first shared e-moped fleet.
The company says the scheme is intended to give delivery drivers flexible access to a more sustainable mode of transport.
The e-moped trial will consist of 200 units, of of which will be 100 percent powered by certified renewable energy and can then be rented by business delivery riders in the British capital.
The HumanForest e-moped has a range of 70 miles and features dual electric batteries, an integrated USB charging port, a phone holder, integrated GPS tracking and an alarm system. It will further be equipped with a 40l top box containing a HumanForest helmet.
As HumanForest has been doing with its other micromobility vehicles, it will give every user five minutes of free usage per day. After that, rides will cost 20p/min. It will also be possible for riders to buy minute bundles, which would allow them to ride from 1.50 GBP per hour. In addition to paying a fee for usage time, riders will be charged an additional mileage fee.
HumanForest believes this will be a popular service as currently combustion mopeds are extremely popular for deliveries in London. Currently, however, only 5 percent of deliveries are done with an electric moped.
According to the company’s own calculations, it believes its mopeds could replace up to 3,000 combustion mopeds and that for every mile ridden on an electric moped, 130g of carbon dioxide would be saved. This is beneficial to the climate overall, but also for London’s air quality and noise pollution.
HumanForest will manage and service the fleet, taking away that headache from riders. An additional benefit of switching to e-mopeds is that drivers will save money on ULEZ costs.
E-Moped Parking
HumanForest will provide parking for its electric mopeds in certain areas of central London, near transport links and busy high streets. It has chosen these locations in line with its intended user demographic – courier and delivery drivers. In addition, riders will be able to park the vehicles in certain public parking areas and solo motorcycle bays, which will be displayed within the HumanForest app.
To ensure riders are legally allowed to use the electric moped, they will have to upload their compulsory basic training certificate or driver’s licence to the HumanForest app, after which it will be automatically verified.
The trial started on 13 July 2022.
Agustin Guilisasti, CEO and Founder, HumanForest, said:Becoming multi-modal with London’s first shared and truly green eMoped scheme gives Londoners another tool to reduce their carbon footprint and improve air quality. As petrol prices reach record-highs, this is a timely launch for businesses to embrace sustainable transport through a shared service with maximum flexibility. We are excited to welcome this new type of user into our community.
