Ride-hail app FREE NOW sees a 228% uplift in UK customers requesting journeys via ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Image credit : LEVC

One of Europe’s leading multi-mobility platforms, FREE NOW, has released its first ‘Multi-Mobility Report’, which shows a rapidly growing demand for access to electric forms of transport.

Last year the app saw a 228 per cent uplift in UK customers requesting journeys via electric vehicles compared to an average increase of 79 per cent across Europe.

The report also revealed convenience is a key factor in the UK’s transportation needs, with nearly half (48 per cent) of respondents wanting a “Super App” that provides easy access to all transportation options on-demand.

Last year, FREE NOW significantly developed its offering to provide access to a variety of transport options, including eScooters, eBikes, black cabs and private hire vehicles (PHV), with a pledge for all vehicles on the app to be zero-emission capable by 2025.

In 2021, the app also reported a 63 per cent increase in black cabs and taxis on the road compared to 2020, revealing strong progress despite the impact of the pandemic on the ride-hailing industry.

Whilst FREE NOW is available in more than 170 cities, with 54 million users, the UK is one of its biggest markets, with London recording the highest number of trips in 2021, along with Dublin, Paris, Warsaw and Berlin.

Looking ahead, FREE NOW aims to launch over 10 new partners in 2022 to further extend its offering of the broadest range of transport options and the most vehicles per mode. This correlates with users' strong desire for one core mobility app that integrates all travel options, as opposed to using individual apps for different travel purposes. In fact, 48 per cent of Brits said they would prefer a one-app solution instead of separate solutions - further demonstrating the demand for the service.

Marc Berg, CEO of FREE NOW, comments: “In 2021, FREE NOW became Europe's Mobility Super App with the largest vehicle choice for consumers. Through the integration of new partners we massively expanded our micro-mobility and car sharing fleet. Still, ride hailing is and will be our backbone. In 2022, we want to ensure that backbone is as robust as possible to expand our multi-mobility services on top of it.

“After a year highly impacted by COVID-19, we expect the ride hailing business will recover fully after the winter period. 2022 will be the year when multi-mobility becomes mainstream and reaches a wider audience. In the next months we will have major launches of Dott, SHARE NOW and some other exciting new partners. By introducing our new services like the Mobility Budget, bundle options and the upcoming integration of public transportation, we will cover all transportation needs to provide friction-free urban mobility.”