Among the advantages that microcars have is the fact that these vehicles can be parked in many spots where regular cars don't have access, but also the fact that they can be driven by younger people, like those who are 16 years old, depending on the region.
We recently talked to Alexandru Vasiliu, Sales & Marketing Director at E-Mobility Rentals, to learn more about how microcars can help packed cities in Romania, but also about the company's strategy and how it plans to take over other markets.
e-Mobility Rentals is a Romanian company, active since 2022, that created the first electric vehicle rental service with exchangeable batteries through its own network of charging stations and replacing discharged batteries (Swap Stations), in Europe.
Alexandru has a vast experience when it comes to micro-mobility, as his journey in this sector started in 2015 where he was working in the development of bicycles and scooters for city transport.
A unique business model for micro-mobility in Romania
His experience was carried over to E-Mobility Rentals and Alex told us that the company's mission is "to bring an integrated solution to electrify the fleets of large companies, whether we're talking about couriers or even corporate, but als oto come up with the infrastructure required, besides just the electrification."
Still, the company didn't want the charging infrastructure to be a classic one, with charging stations and cables, because this might discourage customers from adopting this transport alternative. Instead, E-Mobility Rentals thought that a good alternative for charging the vehicles is filling the batteries in specially-placed stations, where drivers can put them and take them already-charged.
This way, Alex explained that charging times are virtually non-existent and the time spent at the station to swap the batteries is very low, compared to a traditional EV.
"With swappable batteries, swapping times are somewhere around 30 seconds and you get 50 kilometers range back. If you swap all three batteries, you get 150 kilometers range back in one minute", Alexandru Vasiliu told Green Start-Up.
For now, E-Mobility Rentals engineers designed the purchased vehicles to only work in this mode, thus, traditional charging isn't available at stations, yet. However, should driver show an increased interest for this procedure, the company might add the possibility later on. Until then, a special adapter can be used to fill the batteries at your home's power outlet.
Currently, in Bucharest, where the company's vehicles are currently found, there are 10 swap stations available, but in the future, officials want to add another 10 for a total of 20.
Each charging locker currently supports as many as 20 batteries at once and a full charge takes place in 4 hours. The required electricity is supplied by the partner where the charging lockers are installed.
To make a battery "exchange", customers must first open the app, which showcases the nearest locker and how many batteries are available there, but also their charging state.
The business of the future that works in present times
Currently, E-Mobility Rentals offers to business customers two microcar models, but also a few other electric mopeds to choose from, while in the future, the company looks further to add more vehicles in its fleet. At the same time, while the business will grow, the company will invest in modernizing the fleet with better performing vehicles or ones that offer more features.
Compared to other startups that represent the same sector in our country, E-Mobility Rentals is active, it collects data and gathers revenue, which offers it an advantage compared to the competition.
Out of all 100 vehicles the startup currently offers, 80% are working on a daily basis and the most appreciated category is the mopeds one, as this is used by food delivery personnel.
Alex speaks about microcars enthusiastically, because he thinks that this can be a great way of transport for those who want a personal transport alternative that closely resembles a car.
"It's still electric, you have the same battery-exchange system, you change them in an instant, the good news is that you're not exposed to the elements and you aren't bothered by something you might carry alongside you and some of them even come with AC and heat", we were told by the E-Mobility Rentals representative.
Besides this thing, parking is free, since this is an EV, and parking spots aren't that much of an issue in general, as Alex points out, since this can fit even where a regular motorcycle does.
A fixed payment gives you all the services you need
In the vehicle's standard rental package, you have three battery swaps included, which means as many as 300 kilometers per day. At the same time, in the daily payment of 18 euros, which can go to 20 euros depending on the vehicle, maintenance and insurance are also included, if any of those are needed.
Since parking costs are excluded, these are just some of the reasons why microcars could be the future of urban mobility.
Also, if a company decides to rent multiple E-Mobility vehicles, they can get a discount, which means that this service could be a solution for delivery companies that need small and compact quadricycles to transport small things around, such as food.
When needed, maintenance is ensured by the company's partners, who are ready for every case. "We are partnered with services where we can go with the vehicles in case of damage, that wasn't the case so far, but they are ready. The service where we go to is also the one who helped us with modifying the vehicle, because each car has its own swap system and we also had to develop the battery rack", Alex explained.
Education, an important factor when popularizing microcars
Microcars aren't very popular, especially in Romania, but with time and with enough campaigns from companies and individuals, they could get traction. The financial benefits of this class of vehicles are perhaps the easiest way to encourage people to adopt them.
Alex points out that "you forget about maintenance, you don't care about oil exchange, braking pads or tires or spending your money on gas."
Education is very important, especially for youngsters, as these vehicles can be operated by those who are 16 years old, which is why the company is looking at carrying out as many campaigns as possible.
"We went to schools to promote these campaigns, where we went and told kids about the benefits and the responsibilities, even when I worked in micro-mobility", Alexandru Vasiliu told Green Start-Up.
With an initial investment of 2 million euros from the company's own capital, E-Mobility Rentals looks to attract a further 5 million euros, which the company looks to use to extend to other markets, such as Spain.
E-Mobility Rentals' vision for the future
Besides business, E-Mobility Rentals looks to cover the governmental side of thigs, as well, and to give various institutions the possibility to rent multiple kinds of vehicles, among which are street sweepers and small garbage trucks, all powered by the same type of batteries.
With 400 EVs purchased right now, the E-Mobility Rentals team wants to buy another 500 in order to touch the 1.000 number by the end of this year and reach beyond the borders, as well, with Spain being one possible destination.
Any thoughts?