Electric moped ride-sharing scheme kicks off in Auckland

Tuesday, 13 November 2018

Kwikli electric mopeds are currently available at five hubs in Takapuna and Devonport on Auckland's North Shore.

Electric scooters have taken Auckland by storm, and now electric mopeds are hitting the streets.

Kwikli – a New Zealand-owned e-moped ride-sharing service – launched in the North Shore suburbs of Takapuna and Devonport on Sunday.

It was expected to spread across the Auckland region and other cities in the next few months.

Android and iOS users can locate and unlock the e-mopeds using an app.

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It costs $2 to unlock a vehicle and 35 cents for every minute of riding.

Lime e-scooters, by comparison, cost $1 to unlock and 30 cents a minute to ride.

The e-mopeds – which have a maximum speed of 50kmh – can be used in transit lanes, but cannot be ridden on motorways.

Lime scooters are already available in Auckland and Christchurch and are set to launch in Wellington soon.

They were restricted to users over 18 years old with a full car or motorbike licence.

Kwikli chief executive Rushabh Trivedy said the e-mopeds were aimed at people who wanted to beat traffic and congestion.

'New Zealand's growing at a fast pace, and all the congestion means that Kiwis are facing severe mobility challenges,' he said.

'Traffic jams, lack of parking spaces, bus replacement services, lack of connected public transport options, parking meters – these are just some of the issues that cause New Zealanders never-ending stress, frustration and a loss of quality time.

'We need an alternative which feels noticeably different.'

Trivedy said safety was a major focus for the company, and each e-moped came with a helmet, which riders were required by law to wear.

The trunk of each vehicle also contained a non-compulsory high-visibility vest and a hygiene cap.

The company's website said Kwikli 'rangers' – similar to Lime's 'juicers' – would keep track of the scooters and ensure they were charged.

Kwikli is the latest ride-sharing service to launch in New Zealand.

Indian giant Ola launched its car service in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch last week, hot on the heels of Lime which launched e-scooters in Auckland and Christchurch in October.

A women-only ride-sharing service, DriveHer, is planned to launch in Auckland later this year.

Trivedy presented the Kwikli proposal to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board in May and the Upper Harbour Local Board in June.

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board chairman George Wood told Stuff he had 'concerns' about the booming popularity of electric vehicles as they were so quiet, but could reach high speeds.

Pedestrians and drivers often did not expect to see them coming, he said.

'I know we've got to try and accommodate alternative transport … but when they're trying to dodge around through the cars and the parked cars I think it's a recipe for disaster.'

A spokeswoman for Auckland Transport said the organisation supported modes of transport that provided sustainability benefits.