The electric rickshaws are coming

The electric rickshaws are coming

The aim of the alliance is to spread electric vehicles across Europe, India and Asia to reduce traffic-related pollution in cities. The plan is to develop e-charging stations and replaceable batteries, all-inclusive services that include leasing, management and recycling of batteries, as well as repair, maintenance and intelligent energy management of e-vehicles.  The Piaggio Group sees the ability to combine robotics and software as the key to improving future mobility systems in the city. BP is also focusing on electrification when it comes to mobility and is significantly expanding this line of business: more than 70,000 public charging stations are to be built worldwide by 2030. In a signed letter of intent, the two companies stated that they would develop and introduce a comprehensive range of services for the rapidly growing two- and three-wheeled electric vehicle market in Europe, India and Asia.

Huge growth market

Figures collected from BloombergNEF's annual Electric Vehicle Outlook show that electric motorcycles, scooters and compact commercial vehicles are now the most electrified vehicle class in the world: 44% of sales and 25% of the existing global fleet - around 250 million vehicles - are already electric. It is estimated that the share of electric vehicles sold could rise to over 80% by 2040 and the number of two- and three-wheeled electric vehicles worldwide could triple to 750 million. “We see great potential for further growth in both Asia and Europe,” says Richard Bartlett, Senior Vice President, Future Mobility & Solutions at BP. Piaggio's capabilities in the production of electric vehicles and BP's global reach are the basis for new comprehensive services such as "Battery as a Service" (BaaS) - leasing, management and recycling of vehicle batteries - and "Vehicle as a Service" (VaaS) - leasing, repair, maintenance and intelligent energy management of these electric vehicles. 

Respect for the environment

Michele Colaninno, Head of Strategy and Product at Piaggio Group, comments on the latest collaboration: "To realize the goal of a mobility revolution, it is necessary to promote the widespread adoption of electric vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters and compact commercial vehicles equipped with battery swapping or plug-in charging technology, thereby promoting more sustainable battery lifecycle management and greater respect for the environment." Richard Bartlett, Senior Vice President, Future Mobility & Solutions at BP, added: “Our collaboration with the Piaggio Group supports the growth of fast and truly comfortable urban mobility with zero-emission vehicles, enabling reductions in air pollution and supporting cities in their decarbonisation efforts.”