Lime is now teaming up with Uber to make the world smarter. The electronic scooter rental company Lime will be founded by Uber Technologies Inc as part of a $335 million financing round, Lime said on Monday.
The idea is led by Alphabet Inc`s vemtire arm GV, and they values the scooter business at $1,1 billion. Uber plans to promote Lime in its mobile application and slap its logo on the scooters.
This is an idea I came up with about twenty years ago, and a few months later it was a hit. At that time it was without a vehicle. Electric scooters have been on the market for a long time, but now it seems to be a hit worldwide.
Lime was focused on the idea that mobility can be smart, equitable, and fun. By connecting cities and improving the way people experience first and last mile transportation, we aim to leave future generations with cleaner, healthier planet, Lime said.
From smart bikes to electronic scooters and beyond, Lime said they are committed to building strong social bonds, lasting community relationships, and the worlds most versatile smart mobility fleet.
I also came up with the idea of making City Bikes about twenty years ago. It`s funny because nobody had City Bikes at that time. I gave the idea to a friend of mine, and he worked on it. Now, it is everywhere. Even more fun is that Uber has started with the same idea. Twenty years later.
Uber took a huge stake with a startup called Jump Bikes, which rents electric bicycles, before acquiring the business for more than $100 million in April this year. Uber are planning to roll out more City Bikes in many cities around the world.
Lime is only 18 months old but released its e-scooters in Paris last month. The «free-floating» electric scooters are out on the streets and they are controlled with a mobile app. So far, they have been very popular in Washington DC and San Francisco. Now, they take Europe by storm.
The scooters are lightweight, easy to spot to their bright green motors and nippy, with a maximum speed of 15 miles (24 km/h). You locate the nearest one with the app and turn it on by scanning the QR code on the handlebars.
At this point you are charged €1 in Europe and $1 in the U.S. Then you will be charged 15 cents for every minute of ride time. Now, as the weather is fine, it can be cheaper to rent a scooter than taking the crowded bus to the town.
Paris has a chaotic time for its transport network, so Lime is coming in at the right time. It wont be less chaotic when Tour de France is coming to an end in about three weeks. Serving cities is at the core of Limes mission.
From electric scooters to smart bikes, Limes dock free mobility solution reduce traffic congestion, promote healthy living, and solve the all-important challenge of the first and last mile. And thats just the beginning.
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Ket Garden
Shiny bull 