Renting e-scooters: Delhi to help with first and last-mile mobility

NEW DELHI: Killing two birds with electric-scooters, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to provide environment-friendly solutions for first and last-mile connectivity. 

The NDMC will be purchasing 1000 electric scooters under its app-based scooter rental project, announced by the local body on Sunday, February 6. These e-scooters will be introduced in a phased format at over 100 locations in the capital. In first phase, 500 e-scooters will be available at 50 charging stations outside metro stations, bus stops, railway stations, hospitals and other public places hotspots, where people could easily rent out the bikes. 

On a full charge, these e-scooters will have an 80-kilometer range and a top speed of 45 kilometres per hour. “A web-based application will manage the e-scooter service. Commuters would be required to use the vehicle for at least 15 minutes for which they will be charged, accordingly,” Shri Upadhyay, Vice-Chairman, NDMC.

He further stated that the NDMC will register these vehicles with the Transport Department, Government of NCT of Delhi, because they require a permit to operate. It has room for two people to sit, and helmets will be required. These two-wheelers will also be equipped with a GPS device, allowing the NDMC command and control center in Palika Kendra, to track the riders’ movements.