Uber expands into e-scooter rentals

Startup electric scooter company Lime is aligning with Uber in a multi- million dollar deal to expand its unconventional mode of transportation

Jul 9, 2018: Uber invests share of $335m in Lime. Deal, led by Alphabet (Google’s parent company), values business at $1.1bn. Uber plans to rebrand bikes, add Lime to its app and spread service globally

Founded: Jan 2017, San Mateo, CA
Availability: Mostly U.S. cities (shown left), plus Berlin, Bremen, Frankfurt (Germany), Paris (France) and Zurich (Switzerland)

LIME-S ELECTRIC SCOOTER 

Automatic headlight Always be seen
Throttle  Maximum speed 23.8km/h (14.8mph)
Brake lever 
250-watt motor Electric boost makes ride effortless
Custom frame  Lightweight and easy to manoeuvre
Comparison: Uber operates in 77 countries (633 cities)
Solid 20cm wheels Stay steady while scooting
Kickstand: Responsible parking at kerbside locations

Cost: $1 unlock + $0.15/min to ride

UNITED STATES

“Unlock me to ride me, or I’ll call the police!”

HOW TO USE LIME
1. Use app to find and unlock scooter, then begin journey 
2. Press throttle to accelerate (60km range)
3. Park scooter.  Use app to lock it. Walk away 

Scooter will not drive without app
   
Batteries: Employees called juicers collect exhausted scooters, charge them overnight and return them to pavements early next morning


 Sources: Bloomberg, The Guardian, Lime Picture: Lime © GRAPHIC NEWS