FROM 27th August, residents and visitors of Chelmsford will benefit from new e-scooters for hire from the Swedish company Voi.

Rides will cost £0.99p to unlock plus £0.20p per minute, meaning a trip from Chelmsford train station to Chelmsford Cathedral will cost £1.59, roughly £1.40 cheaper than the bus.

The Voiager 5 will be available in Essex, featuring:

• Interchangeable batteries with Voi e-bikes to drive operational efficiencies 
• Accessible handlebars
• A central integrated phone holder
• Turn signals that automatically turn off
• Larger front wheels, which enable better stability

James Bolton, General Manager, UK at Voi, said:

“We’re delighted to provide the people of Essex with an affordable mode of transport connecting local people to employment, education and vibrant high streets – supporting local businesses and strengthening the region’s economy.

“Our e-scooters are one of the cheapest ways to travel, acting as a key lifeline for lower-income people in Essex. We also provide an equitable access programme which offers generous discounts, making sustainable travel affordable and accessible to all. 

“Essex County Council’s partnership with Voi, building on our incredibly successful schemes in London and Cambridge, further shows that we understand the unique needs of the communities of towns and cities we serve.”

Councillor Tom Cunningham, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport, said: 

“We’re hugely excited to welcome Voi to Essex as our new e-scooter trial operator.

“They have a proven track record across the UK and Europe, as well as a strong focus on safety, innovation and accessibility, making them a great fit for the trial in Essex.

“The return of e-scooters supports our commitment to increasing sustainable transport options for residents in Essex and we’re excited to see them return to Chelmsford, Colchester and Braintree over the coming weeks.”

Essex joins the successful Cambridge scheme run by Voi, as the East of England explores the full potential of e-scooters to improve connectivity for local people.