E-hailing in South Africa has seen some notable improvements as of late. This is not only to ensure a better riding experience for everyone, but also to look forward to the future. You've probably noticed a new style of Uber rolling around in the urban areas of Johannesburg lately. A relatively compact vehicle akin to the Bajaj Qute that Bolt uses, except this one is electric. We'll discuss what we've learned, as well as our riding experience.
Related: Own or Uber? Is owning a Toyota Corolla hybrid cheaper than e-hailing?
Uber Electric?
This serves as one of Uber's sustainable efforts to reduce emissions. Uber states that it's smooth, quiet, and aids in zero-emission public transportation. This is indeed relatively recent in South Africa, but similar initiatives have been seen in other territories. The rollout is currently underway in Johannesburg, and conveniently, we've seen them being rolled out near our offices. The vehicles in question are Valternative Henry EV4.
Who's Valternative?
Valternative was founded in 2022. They're the first in South Africa to introduce Swap & Go electric vehicle solutions. This basically means smart swapping stations for 2-wheel and 4-wheel electric vehicle batteries, which is also subscription-based. They look at on-demand services and last-mile delivery. Valternative has partnered with the likes of Shell and Wesgro too.
The Valternative Henrey EV4 - Riding Experience included
This vehicle is the Xiaohu FEV (Family Electric Vehicle) with its origins in China. This is a full-electric vehicle made by Beijing Henrey Automobile Technology. This vehicle features a 16.5 kWh Ternary Lithium battery pack, providing approximately 205km of range, indicating that this is a long-range variant. There is a single motor producing 34 kW / 102 Nm sent to the rear wheels via a Single Speed Transmission. The top speed is rated at 100 km/h. This vehicle is used in several European countries, but is particularly known for its use in last-mile transportation. There are long-range versions available, as well as 2-seater variants. We can see Valternative brought these vehicles in for this initiative, and they typically tend to be available in bulk if you order overseas.
We called up a ride in one of these bad boys to see what it's like. It's definitely more 'luxurious' compared to Bolt's Bajaj Qute. The electric powertrain is significantly smoother and quieter in comparison, but still feels somewhat rudimentary and industrial. Comfort-wise, you get electric windows, air conditioning, and leatherette seats. Still, this is a vehicle intended for short distances, such as running errands or travelling between warehouses. The suspension is on the firmer side, but again, you can only expect so much from a vehicle with this intention. In terms of charging, these vehicles charge at a designated charging depot. After speaking to the drivers, it was noted that once the vehicles reach 50% or below, they're advised to head to the depot to charge and swap them for another car. However, these vehicles don't travel too far from a charging depot, which mitigates range anxiety.
Associated costs?
For you, the customer.
In the pricing scale, this falls under Uber Go, as the distances here aren't vast; in fact, it's slightly cheaper compared to the equivalent combustion engine. Below is a trip we did.
The drivers
The drivers in this instance don't own the vehicles but rent them every week. Within this rental fee, you'll find unlimited vehicle usage, vehicle insurance, depot charging, referral bonuses, maintenance, and a replacement vehicle. It is slightly more expensive compared to renting a 7-seater combustion-powered vehicle. More details here.
Conclusion
This is a welcome addition and a healthy competitor to the Bolt Bajaj Qute. Logistically, electric vehicles would require more administration to keep enough on the roads and others charging on standby. However, it is early days, so let's see how it all fares in due time.
