Electric cab Nopia Ride sets up shop in Nairobi

Finnish company Nopia Ride have set up shop in Nairobi making them Kenya’s first ever eco-friendly, shared mobility unit services.

According to CEO Juha Suojanen, Nopia Ride is similar to Uber but its top priority is using vehicles that reduce air pollution.

“Nopia is a CO2 emission- free taxi hailing services that is based on electric vehicles. So being Uber, but doing it ecologically,” he said.

The Nopia Ride boss further added that the European company decided to enter the Kenyan market because of the huge business opportunity available.

“The city (Nairobi) is growing really fast with huge transportation and congestion problems that cause more issues with emissions. So, it was a clear choice,” he said.

Besides the convenience of combining shared transport and electric mobility, Nopia is also expected to cut fuel cost, whose value added tax was recently increased.

Unlike Uber and Taxify, Nopia CEO says the ‘eco-uber’ will see its drivers make 30 to 50 percent more profit, which will trickle down to reduce passenger prices.

“What is unique about our business model is that the drivers don’t pay for gasoline, so they’ll make 30 – 50 percent more than with Uber or Taxify. We can ensure low prices for the passengers but also that the drivers are making a living,” he said.

The company entered the African market in August this year.

It targets to expand its reach by having 1500 electric vehicles in Kenya alone in the next three years, as it seeks to gradually expand beyond Nairobi.

“If we can prove the model here, then we can continue to expand outside Nairobi. We’re not stopping here,” Suojanen said.