Uber Starts Renting Electric Scooters in Brazil to Compete with “Grin and Yellow”

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – Uber has entered the electric scooter market in Brazil: vehicles can be rented in Santos (São Paulo State) as of Tuesday, December 3rd, paying R$1.50 (US$0.40) for unlocking plus R$0.75 per minute. The procedure is carried out through Uber’s standard App, which allows ordering car trips and Uber Eats deliveries.

If you are in Santos, a new Travel feature will be displayed within the Uber app. Touch it, then scooter, and then scan the QR Code using your phone to unlock it. Alternatively, book it in advance for up to 15 minutes, so that no one picks up the vehicle before you do. The area of operation runs from Ponta da Praia to Emissário.

In 2018, Uber bought the electric scooter and bicycles startup Jump. Then it began offering micro-mobility services in additional US cities and in further countries, including Canada (Montreal) and Mexico (Mexico City). In Brazil, electric scooters do not use the Jump brand: instead, they display the Uber logo on a red background.

In Santos, Uber will compete with Grow, in charge of the Grin and Yellow scooters; and with the local Cinza Urban company. Check out the rates of each one:

Uber: R$1,50 for unlocking + R$ 0,75 per minute
Grin and Yellow: R$3 for unlocking + R$0.50 per minute
Cinza Urban: R$2 for unlocking + R$0.30 per minute

As for security, Uber has prepared educational material that will be available on its website, in the App, and in leaflets. Basically, the company asks users to respect traffic rules, park responsibly and always wear a helmet. It even partnered with Centauro to offer a 40 percent discount on helmets purchased through the centauro.com.br/uber website.

Uber should expand scooters and bring e-bikes to Brazil

Uber is expected to expand its electric scooters to additional cities. It has already reported to the São Paulo municipal government its plans to offer rental of this vehicle and has taken part in meetings to regulate scooters in the city of São Paulo.

The company had originally promised to bring Jump’s electric bicycles to Brazil in 2019, starting in the city of São Paulo, but it seems it will not meet the deadline. While this is not happening, Uber releases the connection with public transports, showing bus, train, and subway routes to some users in the city.

This is part of converting the Uber App into an “operating system for your life”. It already includes a web version of Uber Eats to place delivery orders.