Ridehailing specialist Bolt is accelerating its electrifications efforts by creating a brand-new head of electrification role.

EV adoption is three times higher amongst PHV drivers than general motorists

The company, which already offers carbon-neutral rides, says it’s seeing growing demand for green transport and the new role will focus on growing the share of EVs in its vehicle fleet across 45 countries in Europe and Africa. This will strengthen Bolt’s position as a multimodal mobility platform, combining scooter and e-bikes rentals, ridehailing and car rentals.

EV adoption is three times higher amongst private hire vehicle drivers than general motorists, according to thefirm; its Green category has seen 44 million km of rides in zero- and low-emission vehicles since its launch in 2020.

But barriers remain to achieving full transition, notably in financing, range of vehicles and charging infrastructure and Bolt’s new role will consider the best incentives, education and support for drivers and fleet owners who want to start using an EV or PHEV.

Paddy Partridge, VP rides – Bolt, said: “Bolt has seen demand for EVs and plug-in hybrids grow among drivers in recent years, attracted by cost benefits and increased accessibility to city centres. There is a growing desire from customers to use more environmentally friendly ways of getting around and our Green categories are exceptionally popular.

“However, barriers to EV adoption remain; they deliver a limited range and drivers must be confident in the charging infrastructure, particularly rapid charging, to ensure they can complete a full range of jobs and operators such as ourselves need to share data with public authorities to ensure this is in place.

“We see our responsibility to be a partner to drivers in navigating this change; and to make sure this is as successful a switch as possible. Our new head of electrification will be the key person within Bolt to deliver that programme and I would urge anyone motivated to change our cities to apply.”

Details of the new role are available on the Bolt website here.