Ride-hailing giant Bolt is making a bold move into the UK car-sharing market, teaming up with homegrown peer-to-peer platform Hiyacar to launch Bolt Drive. The strategic partnership will bring flexible vehicle access to Londoners this autumn, capitalising on demand sparked by Zipcar's withdrawal from the capital earlier this year.
Londoners will soon be able to book Hiyacar vehicles directly through the Bolt app, ditching the need for a separate membership fee. This integration offers Bolt an extra transport option, complementing its ride-hailing, e-bike, and scooter services. For Hiyacar, the partnership provides access to Bolt's extensive customer base – reportedly over half of London's residents – significantly boosting visibility and accessibility of their vehicle fleet.
The initiative addresses a pressing need for residents who require cars occasionally but want to avoid car-ownership costs. Diego Ramirez-Gölz, regional general manager for Bolt Drive, noted that many Londoners (a significant portion of whom do not own cars) previously relied on services like Zipcar. He highlighted the Hiyacar partnership as providing a robust peer-to-peer network, while Bolt offers the necessary reach to connect users with available vehicles.
Hiyacar Chief Executive Don Iro pointed out that numerous London cars sit idle, and the primary challenge has been providing convenient access. By integrating into the Bolt app, Hiyacar's vehicles will become visible to a much wider audience precisely when they need them, rather than just to existing Hiyacar users.
Bolt's expansion into car sharing reflects changing travel habits in London. The company's research indicates that over 75 per cent of Inner London residents do not own a car, and more than 70 per cent of its UK customers are also non-car owners – a clear preference for flexible on-demand transport solutions for longer journeys or specific tasks like moving house.
Hiyacar, established in 2016, is the UK's only peer-to-peer car-sharing platform, boasting over 265,000 registered users. Bolt, which launched in the UK in 2019, operates across 20 cities, offering a range of mobility services – including this first UK launch of Bolt Drive, following similar integrations with local providers in other European countries.