Commencement of a Demonstration Experiment for an Ultra-compact EV Sharing Service ~Realization of a New Mobility Environment through Shared Multi Mobility~

Saitama City, ENEOS Holdings, Inc. (hereinafter “ENEOS”), and OpenStreet Inc. (hereinafter “OpenStreet”) are pleased to announce the start of a coordinated demonstration experiment*1 for “shared multi mobility” and other services as part of the Omiya Saitama Shintoshin Project, which is part of the larger Saitama City Smart City Promotion Project selected in July 2020 as the leading model for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s Smart City Model Project.
We are pleased to announce that the demonstration experiment will start on March 23, 2021 in the area around Omiya Station and Saitama-Shintoshin Station.

In this experiment, as a first step in implementing a shared mobility service that allows people to choose the most suitable means of mobility from multiple mobility options according to their immediate travel needs, we will start a new sharing service for ultra-compact EVs in addition to the electric-assist bicycles and scooters that have already been implemented using OpenStreet’s sharing platform. By creating an environment where people can use the most convenient mobility according to a variety of situations, we will improve the convenience of transportation overall in the city. In addition, at Multi-mobility Stations (hereinafter referred to as “Stations”), which will serve as multi mobility hubs, ENEOS will supply a portion of the electricity used for each vehicle with electricity derived from renewable energy. Doing so will contribute to the realization of a Decarbonized society. The mobility usage data obtained from this demonstration experiment will be used to improve the convenience of the service, including the introduction of new mobility vehicles and consideration of additional station locations.

The world’s smallest four-seater ultra-compact EV “FOMM ONE*2” will be introduced for the first time in Japan as a car-sharing vehicle in this experiment. The vehicle’s compact size will save space at stations, and its interior space sufficient for a wide range of transportation needs, such as shopping, transporting children, and visiting customers, etc. The sharing of ultra-compact EVs available for one-way use will start with 10 vehicles across 8 stations with 22 parking spaces, although this scale will be subsequently expanded.

Since prior to this experiment in January 2021, cooperating companies*3 have been collecting user feedback in demonstration experiments regarding the availability of ultra-compact EVs as a means of transportation that allows people to avoid the “three C’s” of infectious disease transmission (closed spaces, crowds, and close contact). Based on the feedback collected thus far, we will hold a test riding event at the Saitama-Shintoshin Bus Terminal on March 26 (Fri.) and 27 (Sat.) 2021, so that people can ride the EVs safely and securely even if it is their first time.

We will continue to listen to the voices of users of our service and provide new transportation services to realize a society in which people can travel with peace of mind.

*1 Demonstration Experiment Agreement on Shared Multimobility, etc.

*2 FOMM

*3 Cooperating companies in the demonstration experiment
Sompo Japan Insurance Inc., Villas des Mariage Saitama, Mochizuki Printing Co.,Ltd.

References

１．Overview of Demonstration Experiment

２．Station Map

(The image displayed on the smartphone app)

３.OpenStreet’s Sharing Platform

OpenStreet’s mobility sharing service uses a dedicated smartphone application to perform a series of procedures from searching for a rental vehicle and return stations, making reservations, and making payments. The “one-way trip” system allows users to return vehicles to any station regardless of the area. Currently, the “HELLO CYCLING” service is providing shared bicycles, the “HELLO SCOOTER” service is providing shared scooters and ultra-compact EVs, and the “BLUU” service is providing special parking lots for mobility sharing.

(EV Sharing Service Special Site)

４．Multi-mobility Station (image)

５．Ultra-compact EV

６．Test Ride Event

７．Overview of Relevant Companies

(1) Saitama City

(2) ENEOS Holdings, Inc.

(3) OpenStreet Inc.

For inquiries regarding this matter, please refer to the following