Uber: focus on bike and electric scooter

Seeking to expand its mobility offering more than ever, Uber wants to focus on electric two-wheelers. For the boss of the group, this strategy is designed for the long term.

Big Changes Are Coming at VTC ... In an interview with the Financial Times published on Monday, August 27, Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, said he would like to focus on electric scooters and bicycles rather than a car. A strategic change to anticipate the transformation of cities that are less and less conducive to the use of cars.

Dara Khosrowshahi, who took over Uber in August 2017, believes these software solutions are now more suitable for short trips in urban areas. ” At rush hour, using a ton of metal to transport one person for ten blocks is ineffective. "He justified himself.

A statement that echoes Uber's recent equity investment. After acquiring self-service bike company Jump in April, renowned VTC recently invested in Lime. Electric scooter startup Lime is already present in several American cities and launched in June in Paris.

However, it remains to be seen if these new modes of transportation will be compatible with the profitability goals of the group, which plans to hold an IPO in 2019.

« in the short term, financially, this may not be a win for us, but strategically and in the long term, we believe that this is exactly what we want to do "He justifies.

In an interview, the Uber boss admitted that the group made less money on the bike ride than on the VTC ride. However, he believes that this loss could be compensated for by more regular use of the application.

« In the long term, drivers will benefit from a greater share of longer, more profitable journeys and less congested roads. He also added.