Shared micromobility operator Lime has announced plans to invest £20 million in its London operations over the next 18 months.
Lime is one of three firms providing e-scooters in the capital as part of the UK-wide trials and launched its Gen4.1 model over the Christmas period.
The new vehicles come equipped with new interactive screens to improve rider education, improved battery life (28 per cent increase in trips per battery swap), an improved braking system and greater structural strength.
The US-based operator also runs a fleet of e-bikes in London and saw ridership numbers reach 2.4 million during 2021, up from just over one million a year prior.
The scheme launched during the backend of 2018, with the total ride number now approaching five million overall.
Alan Clarke, Senior Director of Policy for Lime UK&I, said: “After the worst of the pandemic was over and strict lockdowns lifted, a flurry of Londoners turned to our e-bikes as an easy, open-air and socially distanced means of transport. Many haven’t looked back.
“From popping to the shops or meeting with friends in parks – and increasingly the return of the commute – ditching cars for e-bikes and e-scooters when taking short trips has offered people a safe, affordable and sustainable means of transport. With our e-bikes popularity now significantly superseding pre-Covid levels, it’s clear that what we’re seeing is just the start of an exciting behaviour change in London as we look to reduce carbon emissions and live our lives more sustainably.”
In addition to London, Lime has a UK presence in Greater Manchester and Milton Keynes, as well as a further 200 cities across five continents.
