Škoda Auto’s BeRider e-scooters return to Prague

This month, the green-painted electric scooters from the BeRider sharing initially launched through Škoda Auto’s DigiLab will return to the centre of Prague and in much greater numbers. This follows the completion of a successful pilot project exploring the potential for the service in the Czech capital.

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Following the successful pilot operation, the electric scooter sharing company, which was launched by the ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab in September 2019, has big expansion plans. They aim to expand its fleet from the current 150 used for the pilot to a total of 700 electric scooters over the next few months.

“Digitalisation, connectivity and new mobility services are some of the key pillars of Škoda’s 2025 Strategy,” says Andre Wehner, Chief Digital Officer at Škoda Auto, before adding: “BeRider, is an excellent example of this. In collaboration with the existing public transport system, the aim is to allow citizens, commuters and tourists to reach their destinations even quicker and more conveniently.”

This approach to transport electrification is not limited to electric scooter sharing initiatives either: “We will continue to develop and offer numerous other services in 2020, such as the private peer-to-peer car-sharing service, HoppyGo, and the Uniqway car-sharing service for students – developed together with schools and students.” This was added by Jarmila Plachá, Head of Škoda Auto DigiLab, who will be unveiling the next e-mobility initiatives developed cooperatively with social partners soon.

As a next move, the services are to be bundled under a single app, which will likely save everyone some hassle and simplify payment and booking structures. The Citymove app is designed to take public transport and traffic into account when suggesting a potential method of travel.

Prague also recently saw the launch of another sharing service, this time coming in from Hungary. GreenGo is launching with a fleet of 100 VW e-UP battery-electric cars but has plans to double that number within the first months.

Update 12.03.2020: After Prague, BeRider will also start in Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic. Now the Škoda Auto DigiLab electric scooter sharing service has signed a letter of intent with the city of Brno to launch a fleet of 250 electric scooters. The launch of BeRider is only the first step of a long-term project to develop new mobility solutions and services for the city’s inhabitants and visitors.

skoda-media.de, skoda-storyboard.com, skoda-storyboard.com (Update)