Berlin-based GreenTech startup Swobbee and Estonian sharing provider Bolt announce the launch of their partnership. At the start of the cooperation, Bolt is testing Swobbee’s innovative charging and swapping solutions with its Berlin e-scooter sharing fleet as part of a pilot project. Later, the cooperation is to be extended to other cities.

In Berlin, Bolt operates a large fleet of e-scooters. By using Swobbee stations, the micromobility provider no longer has to collect the empty batteries with vans and bring them to a warehouse for recharging and back again, as before, but can now handle the charging logistics with e-cargobikes at decentrally located Swobbee stations. There, the empty batteries can be exchanged for fully charged ones in just a few seconds. The battery swap stations are located near Bolt’s Berlin e-scooter hotspots. This saves a considerable amount of time and fuel, which also makes the new charging concept an active contribution to improving traffic flow as well as air quality in Berlin.

Balthasar Scheder, Bolt Germany’s country manager for rental, says: “At Bolt, our mission is to help create cities that are built for people, not cars. That includes making our operations as environmentally friendly as possible. By partnering with Swobbee, we’re able to use a decentralized network of charging stations where we can swap batteries with e-cargo bikes instead of vans, making our operations more efficient and sustainable. With scooters in 59 cities across Germany, we hope to expand the partnership to more cities in the coming months.”

Thomas Duscha, CEO of Swobbee, adds: “”We are pleased to announce our new partnership with Bolt, Europe’s largest micromobility provider, with a first pilot project in Berlin. This partnership is another important step towards the decentralization and decarbonization of micromobility operations, creating greener, more livable cities for all. We look forward to seeing the results of the pilot and hope to expand the partnership to other German and European cities in the future.”