Electric buggies launched on streets of west London in 'world-first' trial

The organisation behind them is aiming to increase its presence throughout the city.

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Unfortunately, these new vehicles were not created to directly compete with those cycles and mopeds.

"What we're expecting is that they will serve as a substitute for cars," stated Yo-Go's CEO, Dr Sam Bailey.

Car usage in London can be quite unusual. Many people are typically driving short distances of less than three miles, popping out for errands or local trips… There must be a reason why many others don't consider cycling; it's probably because they're put off by getting wet or they feel it's unsafe.

We aim to design something that feels like an extension of what you're used to driving a car - like having a familiar sense of security and comfort, complete with safety features such as a seatbelt, roll cage and roof, and even space for luggage - so that transitioning from a car to this mode of transportation feels more intuitive.

These vehicles cost 20p a minute if used with pay-as-you-go, however, paying a £10 monthly subscription reduces that to just 10p a minute.

Due to insurance requirements, drivers must fall within the age bracket of 25 to 70, and must have held a valid UK or European driving licence for a minimum of two years.

Residents in a certain area have been granted complimentary vehicle parking across the entire borough.

Yo-Go will be keeping track of how folks are using the buggies and the feedback coming in from users, despite Dr Bailey describing the initial reception so far as "insanely positive".

The company is looking to extend its presence beyond this particular area and into other parts of the city.

It is believed that the electric golf carts, which have a top speed of approximately 32 kilometres per hour, are the initial ones to be tested in the roads of a large city.

We're rather optimistic that we're pioneers in this area," said Dr Bailey. "There are destinations you can visit that have golf buggies only, being confined to a resort, for instance large resorts in Florida, where you park your car on entry and then run around in a golf buggy.

“The notion was that the city should reflect the atmosphere of a shared space on the road with pedestrians. So, how could you replicate that, making the vehicles more considerate of the pedestrians by reducing their noise, pollution, and danger to them?”

The more vehicles you have that possess similar characteristics, the more enjoyable roads become for all road users.

A spokesperson for Hammersmith and Fulham Council observed, "These pioneering electric buggies are another trailblazer for Hammersmith and Fulham, providing residents and businesses with a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option."

We are pleased to note this trial as part of our efforts to reduce the cost, decrease the environmental impact and increase the ease of local travel.

The trial has been well-received by the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan. A representative for the mayor said, "We welcome new micro-mobility options in London, particularly those that encourage Londoners to use their cars less or switch to cleaner modes of transport."

It's encouraging to see local areas pioneering innovative approaches and testing out fresh solutions, and we will be keeping a close eye on the results and how they unfold.

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