Zoomcar mulls shareable EVs in New Town post success of cycle sharing scheme

Kolkata: Taking cue from the success of the GPS enabled dockless cycle sharing scheme in New Town, Zoomcar India Private Limited is considering a proposal to introduce shareable electric vehicles in the area.

Greg Moran, CEO and co-founder of Zoomcar, in a recent discussion with the chairman of New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) Debashis Sen, said that the firm was conducting a feasibility study of the proposed scheme.

New Town is a green city where green coverage has been increased and steps have been taken to conserve energy.

Zoomcar India Private Limited and NKDA had inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS), on the introduction of the GPS enabled dockless cycle sharing scheme, for the first time in India.

Over the past three months, the scheme has earned enormous popularity, particularly among the youngsters. In Action Area III and Action Area I, it has achieved commendable success. Four hundred cycles will be introduced soon and by the year end, their number will be increased to 1,000.

Statistics show that 2,500 rides take place daily and the average length travelled is 40 metres. The charge for hiring the cycles is Rs 10 for 30 minutes. An user can hire a cycle, visit the place and deposit it at one of the 20 locations, after making necessary payments. There is a smartphone Paytm payable system also. There is a QR-code access system.

The cycles are specially designed and user friendly. The seats are adjustable and the cycles are fitted with GPS and anti-theft mechanism. There is a basket fitted on the handlebar and below it is a solar panel to charge the battery, which is used to run the GPS. The tyres are tubeless and the cycles can be ridden without effort.

There are graded roads for the cycles and on many roads, special markings are made exclusively for cycles. But it has often been seen that some vehicles are parked on the specially marked area. NKDA authorities have taken up the matter with police, to resolve the issue.