In a major development, Vmoto has announced a tie-up with Uber. It’s a long-term cooperation agreement spanning multiple markets to facilitate the transition of Uber’s fleets, rental partners, and drivers (“Uber Partners”) in Europe to 100% electric vehicles. In most European markets, Uber riders work as Uber Eats and Uber Courier delivery partners. A few European cities, notably Paris, Warsaw, and Vienna, also allow UberMoto.
Nevertheless, the Uber ‘rider’ fleet across Europe would be over 100,000 partners. In the press statement, Uber stated that it aims to transition 100,000 motorbike couriers to electric moped/motorcycle alternatives across Europe by 2030.
Vmoto-Uber lists Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Lisbon, London, Madrid, and Paris as the cities where the scheme would be rolled out. The discounted Vmoto e-mopeds and motorcycles would be made available through Vmoto’s European partners, like Zenion, Zoomo, and Ride Today.
An important part of the partnership would be the battery swapping network that Vmoto is rolling out in London through its partner Zenion. Earlier this month, Vmoto invested another GBP 335,000 into its UK partner to meet its working capital requirements.
Impact
This has the potential to multiply Vmoto’s sales across its most important market – Europe. With the company being a minor player in China and non-existent in India, it has to fight hard in other markets.
The strategic relationship with Uber is the kind that has helped Vmoto grow in the past. The CPx is a popular scooter in Europe, though increasingly getting undercut by the competition and also suffering from slow overall market growth.
