Bolt Launches New, Custom-built Scooter Model, Expands in 45 Cities
Estonian ride-sharing service Bolt on Wednesday launched a custom-built scooter modelmade by Bolt and said it aims to launch the scooter service in more than 45 cities this summer.
Designed and engineered focusing on modularity, Bolt says its new scooter is the most asy-to-repair scooter on the market right now. Thanks to the modular design and engineering, most broken scooters can be restored and put back onto the streets, instead of simply disposing of them.
The new scooter weighs 17kg, which makes it the lightest model used in scooter sharing. This reduced weight is achieved through the scooter being made of 90% aluminium. The scooter features inflatable tires that help ensure better grip and smoother, safer rides. It can go for more than 40km on a single charge. Its maximum speed is 25km/h. But this is obviously limited according to local regulations.
A new in-app safety feature called Beginner Mode allows users to limit the maximum speed of their ride to 15km/h.
The scooter also features front and rear lights, as well as front and side reflectors to help maintain riders’ safety during dark hours.
Additionally, the modular design allows for repairability and a calculated lifetime of 36 months, and significantly lower use of plastic compared to competing models.
Currently, you can rent a Bolt scooter in Portugal, Poland, Lithuania and Slovakia. The new model is already available to riders in Faro, Warsaw, Krakow, and Bratislava. Bolt planning to launch scooter services in 45 more cities this season.
Bolt, founded in 2013, has raised more than $200 million from investors, including Daimler and China’s Didi Chuxing Technology Co.