A few days before the end of a recent holiday I knew I needed to arrange a ride to Tullamarine airport, so I decided to pre-book the new startup GoBlu-EV electric taxi cab service to try it out.
GoBlu-EV is operating with a fleet of ten BYD Atto 3's in Melbourne to start with and aims to expand to other major cities across Australia.
Speaking with co-founder and CEO Manish Wadhera at a later date he explained that the GoBlu-EV business model is like a pre-reserved hire car but instead of a fossil fuel car you get a electric one instead.
With Uber Green customers mostly end up with fossil fuel hybrid car rides but GoBlu-EV guarantees only fully battery electric car rides.
Unlike Uber and DiDi the GoBlu-EV drivers are employees of the business on a fixed salary so they get security of income while quality service and training can be kept consistent.
The drivers aren't driving all day and night, they do 9 hour shifts (the GoBlu-EV service operates for 18 hours a day) so they don't have to drive for Uber, DiDi etc as well.
Customers can make bookings 90min to 2 months in advance, pricing is fixed without surges and to date every booking has been on time with clean cars and no cancellations.
Wadhera said the idea to start GoBlu-EV was in April 2023 and the service was launched in July 2023 after registering with Safe Transport Victoria etc. As of mid April 2024 the company has completed 2500 rides.
In the beginning GoBlu-EV started with airport rides, airport to anywhere and anywhere to airport. Currently 60% of their rides are to or from the airport, 40% are intercity anywhere to anywhere around Melbourne.
They started with a few Tesla Model 3's and BYD Atto 3's. Wadhera explained that he looked at lots of electric cars at dealers and then realised the largest easily accessible boot space for a reasonable price EV was in the Atto 3.
▶️MORE: Facelifted 2024 BYD Atto 3: What's New?
From making the booking to after it finished, I was sent SMS information at each step and there was plenty of space in the boot for 2 medium suitcases and 2 carry on luggage, which is the most you can take on board plus any handbags and small backpacks with you on your lap or next to your feet.
GoBlu-EV is working with QLD based eLumina to have DC fast charging at their hubs without having to wait a long time for a costly grid connection upgrade.
▶️MORE: BYD Atto 3 Charging Guide: Charge times, speed and cost
Wadhera said that GoBlu-EV aims to be profitable within 20-24 months and their aim is not to replace Uber but create a niche segment of pre booked, clean, fully electric rides that won't be cancelled at the last minute.
GoBlu-EV's medium term aim is to end up with 100-150 cars in several big Australian cities and to then reassess the situation.
From zecar's perspective, competition in the commercial passenger transport sector is vital.
Uber has the vast majority of market share in the rideshare sector and if left to itself will do what any monopolist company does which is increase prices.
If GoBlu-EV succeeds long term it will be great to have an alternative option for pre-booked trips which is Australian, higher quality and at reasonable price.
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