The Hyundai Ioniq is the first EV eMentum will offer. Source: Hyundai
Charging network provider Evie Networks has broken cover on a plan to rent zero emissions vehicles out to rideshare drivers in an effort to raise awareness of and demand for electric vehicles (EVs).
On Tuesday, the new EV rental business, eMentum, quietly shared its plan to offer a charging-inclusive EV rental to members of the all-female rideshare company Shebah in South East Queensland.
The service, which will first be available to rideshare drivers who drive for Shebah, Uber, Didi and GoCatch in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, allows drivers to select one of two membership levels which give access to an all-electric Hyundai Ioniq, one of Australia’s most affordable EVs at just under $50,000 before on-roads.
Evie Networks’ CEO Chris Mills said in a note by email to The Driven that the idea was borne of a need to increase the number of electric vehicles in Australia.
“We weren’t going to sit around waiting for that to happen,” Mills said. “We have taken the step to provide vehicles to some of the hardest working drivers in Australia who can benefit from the low operating costs of electric vehicles.”
“By getting electric vehicles on the road in the hands of drivers who are going to drive them intensively we can maximise the clean air and carbon reduction benefits of transitioning this fleet of vehicles. The benefits of transitioning a rideshare vehicle are as much a 3x that of transitioning a personal car.”
Using the service, drivers can book a set number of hours, or share a booking with another driver, dropping it off in their neighbourhood and only paying for the time the vehicle is used.
Georgina McEncroe, CEO of Shebah said in a note that electric vehicles complement Shebah’s mission to provide safe transportation to women and children.
“Shebah recognises that economic empowerment is paramount to the independence and well-being of women. Providing our drivers with a safe, sustainable and low-cost option gives our drivers a great foundation for economic independence whilst reducing their environmental impact.”
The St Baker Energy Innovation Fund-backed Evie Networks, which operates the service, has to date launched seven DC fast chargers of a planned 50 sites, with the first opened on the Sunshine Coast at Coochin Creek in November 2019.
Its latest charger was opened at Taillem Bend in South Australia, and it also recently announced a plan to partner with Queensland truck stop company Puma Energy to install a number of DC fast chargers, the first of which is now in operation at Cluden near Townsville.
Evie Networks has also received funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to the tune of $15 million for the rollout of its networks.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.
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