German micromobility company Tier has been chosen as one of London’s e-scooter operators, with the trial commencing this June.
Following a tender process, Transport for London (TfL) and London Councils selected Tier along with two other operators to introduce shared e-scooters to the capital.
According to Tier, the London trial has the potential to be the biggest tendered e-scooter scheme in Europe. The operator added such trials are part of a wider effort to reduce reliance on private cars and help the capital recover from Covid-19 as safely and sustainably as possible.
The London trial will also see the micromobility operator deploy its rider-swappable batteries as part of its Energy Network. Riders in the capital can earn free trips by swapping them at charging stations on the high street.
Lawrence Leuschner, CEO of Tier Mobility, said: “This is a hugely proud moment for Tier and we cannot wait to start working with London, a city famed for transport innovation, from constructing the first underground railway to building the world’s first international airport.
“Our e-scooters will not only give Londoners a new, convenient and environmentally-friendly mode of transport, but will bring jobs to the city and a financial boost for the small high-street businesses who choose to house the battery charging pods which make up our unique Energy Network.
“We will be applying all of the experience and knowhow we’ve gained from other major cities to ensure that Tier’s e-scooter scheme in London is a success, not just for riders but for other road users and communities at large.”
Furthermore, the operator added businesses which house charging stations will also benefit from increased footfall. Based on a model it rolled out in Finland, riders who visit the charging stations to swap batteries spend an average of £2.85 on goods while at the location.
Tier calculated that over the course of a year, this amounts to a £16,650 revenue boost for a participating business. With Tier planning to install up to 400 charging pods in London, the upside for businesses in the capital could reach £6.7m over the 12 months trial.
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