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Bolt launches car-sharing service in Estonia

Posted: 5 May 2021 | | No comments yet

Ridesharing company Bolt says its new car-sharing service will mean citizens in Estonia now have a transport option for every journey, whether that’s a trip to the train station or a weekend getaway.

bolt drive estonia

Bolt Drive will launch in Estonia along with its other modes of transport on offer Credit: Bolt

European mobility operator Bolt has launched its car-sharing service, Bolt Drive. The new service allows customers to rent a car for short periods of time using the Bolt app. Bolt says it will invest €20 million in launching Bolt Drive in Europe this year, starting with a pilot in its home market of Estonia.

Bolt says it is the first mobility platform in Europe to offer car-sharing, ride-hailing and micromobility with scooters and electric bikes in one app. By enabling customers to quickly and conveniently rent a car at the tap of a button, Bolt will be hoping that the scheme will make users in less dependent on personal cars and encourage the use of alternative modes of transport for short-distance trips.

“Personal cars are the primary cause of problems in urban transport,” said Markus Villig, CEO of Bolt.

“They are responsible for traffic, environmental emissions and taking up city space. Bolt’s mission is to help people give up their personal cars by providing a better alternative.

“For people to switch from ownership to on-demand transport, we need to offer a more convenient, affordable and environmentally sustainable option for every distance. We are already doing this for short and medium distance trips. Bolt Drive now covers the rest of the use cases, whether it’s a trip to a shopping mall or a weekend getaway. Our customers will have access to a car at any time, from the same app they already use for scooters, e-bikes and ride-hailing”.

Bolt Drive is a free-floating car-sharing service, allowing customers to see the vehicles nearest to them on a map and book a car using the Bolt app. Passengers can start the ride by unlocking a car with a mobile phone and finish it anywhere in the city, within an area indicated in the app. Bolt says users do not have to pay for parking or fuel.