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Ryde partners with Port to improve last mile deliveries in London

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Port

Delivery services company Ryde has announced a pilot program with Port, a pioneering e-mobility start-up, to supply couriers with a fleet of light electric vehicles (EVs) from a central London hub.

Port provides fleets of light EVs that are locked and charged in dedicated ports, installed in hubs across inner-city parkings. The vehicles are offered on a simple subscription in a full e-mobility package, which includes parking, charging, maintenance, and software.

The range of EVs, including bikes, mopeds, cargo bikes and scooters can cover up to 100km on a single charge. They are easily accessible to the riders who can simply unlock an electric vehicle in the app, use it for deliveries, and return it back to the hub upon finishing work.

For the duration of the pilot, Ryde has rented all e-vehicles from the Port hub in Q-Park Leicester Square parking in London. Using Port’s software platform, Ryde will grant free access to these vehicles to a selected group of Ryde couriers.

According to the partnership, the convenient location of the hub makes it easily accessible by public transport, including the Tube, buses, as well as trains terminating at the nearby Charing Cross station. This allows couriers living all around Greater London to receive jobs in the busy West End area, without the hassle of bringing their own vehicle. The pilot program is open for a limited group of couriers, selected on a basis of their productivity and performance.

“As we’re building a same-day delivery business that is people and planet friendly, we are working with an unwavering dedication to support our riders, as their higher engagement results in overall better experiences for end customers,” said Duncan Mitchell, co-founder and CEO of Ryde.

“We are excited to partner with Port, as it provides the industry-first, end-to-end e-mobility solution that helps us reduce carbon footprint, improve courier convenience and increase overall efficiency. As a rider-first business, equipping our riders with efficient electric vehicles is another step to further strengthen our leading offering for businesses, riders and residents of the cities.”

Read more from Duncan Mitchell in Ryde’s company spotlight

The dark hub in Q-Park Leicester Square follows two years of R&D and successful trials by Port. At the heart of the system is dedicated fleet management software and the world’s first, patented universal docking station that can lock and charge any small electric vehicle. The wide range of EVs covers all the needs of last mile logistics, including deliverers of food, parcels and groceries. Port is taking its first steps to expand across Europe, with hubs opening in new cities in the upcoming weeks.

“Our mission is to enhance last mile logistics and the last mile delivery sector to reach net zero emissions and to fully capitalise on the benefits of light electric vehicles,” added Kamil Suda, founder and CEO of Port.

“We believe that by using the existing parking infrastructure and removing the burden of fleet management and vehicle maintenance, we can add significant value to the whole last mile ecosystem. That includes not just the delivery companies and couriers, but most of all, residents, and communities within cities. We are thrilled to partner with Ryde to help them lead the shift in the industry.”

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