First eScooter Sharing System launched in Vietnam: Green mobility for a sustainable city life

On November 21st, 2016 an eScooter Sharing System was launched at Ho Chi Minh University of Technology. This is the result of a joint project between Bosch in Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh University of Technology (HCMUT), Danang University of Science and Technology (DUT), and Vietnamese-German University (VGU). Students working in this project are winners of the Green Challenge contest which was co-organized by Bosch in Vietnam and the above mentioned universities in 2015. The best ideas from the contest were then put into implementation from the beginning of 2016.

The first eScooter Sharing System was launched in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on November 21st, 2016

Bosch sponsored more than VND 4 billion (about USD 182,000) for this pilot project. The next two systems will be launched in December 2016 at VGU (Binh Duong city), and DUT (Danang city) respectively. In this pilot project, students of the three universities can use 18 eScooters free of charge within their campuses, after registering online.

Hassle-free, eco-friendly, and connected mobility

Introducing the eScooter Sharing System based on a shared usage model, currently in a pilot phase, Bosch and the Universities offer a smart and eco-friendly alternative to commuting for end users. Mr. Vo Quang-Hue said: “We believe that research and development will help enhance the competitiveness and build up a knowledge economy in Vietnam.” Through this project, Bosch wants to initiate stronger cooperation and collaboration between businesses and academia to boost research and development activities. Mr. Vo Quang-Hue added that this system, if properly implemented in large cities will help solve challenges in public transportation and in environmental protection. Furthermore, the system will be one of the solutions for building up smart cities.

To use the service, an account can be created at http://bosch-green-challenge.com.vn/ and users login to locate the station and book an eScooter. Users will then be provided with a code and a control card to activate an eScooter at the chosen docking station. This control card is used as a key for the eScooter, locking, unlocking, and opening the helmet box under the seat. All eScooters are electrically charged at the charging stations which are using solar energy, each charging station is equipped with the solar panels on its roof. A fully-charged eScooter can travel up to 80km, at the maximum speed of 45km per hour. People aged 18 and above with a motorcycle driving license can use these eScooters.

Bosch in Vietnam

Bosch first started its operations in Vietnam in 1994.The company has its main office in Ho Chi Minh City, with branch offices in Hanoi and Da Nang, and a Gasoline Systems plant in the Dong Nai province to manufacture pushbelts for continuously variable transmissions (CVT) in automobiles. In addition, Bosch operates in Ho Chi Minh City a software and engineering R&D center (Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions Vietnam Co., Ltd) as well as an automotive R&D center for mobility solutions. In fiscal 2015, Bosch recorded consolidated sales of about USD 68 million (61 million euros) in Vietnam, achieving a year-on-year growth of almost 50 percent. Total net revenue, including sales to non-consolidated companies and internal deliveries to affiliated companies, stood at USD 293 million (264 million euros). As of December 31, 2015, Bosch employed around 2,400 associates in Vietnam. Bosch is active with seven divisions in Vietnam: Automotive Aftermarket, Automotive Electronics, Drive and Control Technology, Packaging Technology, Power Tools, Security Systems and Thermotechnology.

For more information, please access www.bosch.com.vn and www.facebook.com/OfficialBoschVietnam.