This story first appeared in the March issue of Evtalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE
Canberra-based electric car hire firm Evee has begun expanding into the US and is also considering other markets world-wide.
A Russian who moved to Australia in 2011, Slava Kozlovskii has met challenging conditions for EV uptake in his adopted country, but that hasn’t stopped him with his idea of encouraging people to take up EVs by trying them through Evee.
People can rent an EV such as a Tesla for trips or to just try one out.
Starting in 2016 while living in Sydney, Kozlovskii initially planned the business around running commuters between Sydney and Canberra in Teslas on autopilot, saving considerably on airfares.
But in less than a year he started shifting to car share.
“Most people wanted to rent an EV and even explore it for a few days,” he says.
“Others wanted to travel without using petrol or diesel.”
If anything helps improve Australia’s slow EV adoption rate, then Kozlovskii is all for it.
Now based at Energylab in Canberra through its accelerator programme, Kozlovskii says Evee has done more than 400 rentals.
He started with his own Tesla Model S but found with the growing demand a chance for other Tesla and EV owners to rent out their vehicles and make a return on the zero emissions investment.
Teslas are the most popular, mainly because of their high range and an extensive Supercharger network.
But Kozlovskii expects other EVs will be taken up as more arrive with extended range and increased technology input.
About six people who have rented through Evee have gone on to buy electric vehicles, Kozlovskii says.
“We’ve definitely seen an increase since the car sharing platform was launched.”
Meanwhile, Evee has begun in the US, partnering with a firm in Los Angeles called Konvoy (Tesla rentals) which will be the basis for Evee USA.
One reason for the off-shore move is that the insurance cost is very high in Australia, whereas Kozlovskii says it’s more flexible in the US.
The US also has more new EVs available – about 10-15 models compared with four in Australia.
Kozlovskii says additional EV related policy is coming out the US as well, California recently passing laws to become a 100% renewable energy state – which includes transportation.
“There’s a clear sign to the industry where the economy is headed, which is also impressive because California is almost double the size of Australia population-wise,” he says.
Evee is ready to go in the US and Kozlovskii would love to see Evee in New Zealand and other countries as well.
“It makes sense for New Zealand especially with its EV adoption and infrastructure.”
Kozlovskii is now looking for investors to help with Evee’s US expansion and also to provide more services in Australia.
Booking and listing through Evee is simple.
Visit www.evee.com.au for more information.
