EVie fires shot at Gov as it confirms end of e-bike hire business

Thursday 02 May 2024

Directors of EVie have today announced the “cessation” of their e-bike hire business – firing parting shots at Ministers for their decision not to provide support.

A statement from the owners of the shared mobility business said they were “no longer able to support this loss-making public service” and were “deeply saddened by the redundancies that this cessation may entail”.

Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan revealed in the States Assembly earlier this week that there were no plans to bail out EVie after the firm suspended its fleet of 175 electric bikes in March as a result of insurance cover being withdrawn at "unsatisfactorily abrupt notice".

Mr Jehan said he had met with EVie in February, and exchanged emails in mid-March with CEO Nick Perchard-Rees, but had concluded that there was not a strong business case for government involvement and that there were "other demands" on the public purse.

He added that the government should not be involved in "propping up" the business – but that the Treasury department was still open to discussions on insurance.

EVie's latest statement revealed that the Infrastructure Minister's comments in the States Assembly on Tuesday were "the first time we learnt ministers' views on our proposals".

Pictured: CEO Nick Perchard-Rees recently shared images of a very full bike store, after the bikes were taken out of circulation.

It read: "JEV Company Limited, the owner of the EVie shared mobility business, is disappointed to announce the cessation of its dockless bike business.

"Following withdrawal of cost-effective insurance coverage for the bike business (for reasons that are related to the Jersey market and are entirely out of the control of EVie), the directors are no longer able to support this loss-making public service.

"In early March, EVie proposed a set of options to the ministers to avoid closing down the bike business.

"From Andy Jehan's responses in the Assembly we have concluded the government has no interest in harnessing the EVie shared dockless bike scheme to support its own Carbon Neutral Roadmap, Sustainable Transport or Climate Emergency policies."

The directors said the decision was in "direct contradiction" to the "just transition" objectives laid out in the Carbon Neutral Roadmap.

The statement continued: "This U-turn may well change with the next government. It would be easier and far better value for the public to support an existing service rather than relaunch one at a later date.

"EVie will continue to grow its fleet of fully electric vans, cars and microcars to provide islanders with affordable, flexible and sustainable transport options and we deeply regret the loss of a key component of our shared transport initiative.

"We remain committed to advancing shared, affordable electric travel solutions in the Channel Islands. Should they be interested, we remain open to discussions with the government."

In March, Mr Perchard-Rees – who employed six people in the bike section of the business – warned that job losses were possible in future if it could not meet this aim.

He said the business was "doing everything it could to avoid job losses".

Pictured top: CEO Nick Perchard-Rees shared images of a very full bike store, after the bikes were taken out of circulation.