'Electromobility is a public and private challenge'

The Beat ride-hailing service unveiled a fleet of 120 electric cars for its new "Beat Zero" service in late June and has recorded 40,000 trips in the Chilean capital of Santiago during its first month of operations.

Electromobility in Chile has advanced at great speed in recent years, as the government has approved ending the sale of light, public transport and mining vehicles with combustion engines by 2035.

At the same time, starting in September, apps such as Beat will be subject to new regulations in Chile.

BNamericas speaks with André Melelli, Beat's communications manager, to find out more.

BNamericas: What was the investment required for the acquisition of the new fleet?

Melelli: Beat Zero is the first and largest private electric car service available on an app in our country. For the development of this unique model, which will allow people to take that first step towards electromobility, it was necessary to build the private infrastructure, find an ally that manages a 100% electric fleet, made up of 120 vehicles, and train the necessary human capital, which involved the creation of more than 400 jobs, to take it to the streets of Santiago.

BNamericas: Do you think the government should give the private sector more facilities or incentives to renew their fleets with electric vehicles?

Melelli: Electromobility is a public and private challenge. The country set itself the goal of banning the sale of internal combustion vehicles by 2035 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, which means opening alternative doors to meet them. In this respect, we understand that the incorporation of new actors and projects that promote electric mobility and bring it closer to people is an advance towards achieving these environmental challenges.

BNamericas: The so-called "Uber Law" will go into force on September 1. Will this affect Beat's operations?

Melelli: Beat Zero is a technology that is operated by a strategic partner, so, at least in principle, it wouldn't be affected by the law.

Regarding the implementation of Law 21,431, it's important to emphasize that the rules regulate the relationship of drivers or service providers with the platform, but not the operational requirements of the technological intermediation market.

Although for Beat and its traditional service, this has meant important efforts in product development and operational matters, we started working on the implementation of the new standard before its publication. Despite this and the extra cost that its execution requires, we're pleased that the rights of driver users and the activities they carry out are finally being recognized.

BNamericas: What relationship should mobility services have with public transport systems?

Melelli: The public service and the private sector must work collaboratively to deliver efficient and sustainable transportation services over time.

One of the proposals of the program of the environment ministry is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and it is established that by 2035, all new vehicles, including machinery and public transport, must be totally zero-emission.

In this context, it is of the utmost importance for both entities to work collaboratively, to deliver optimal and efficient solutions in terms of sustainable energy to the country.

BNamericas: What is Beat's emissions reduction goal with the new fleet?

Melelli: In Chile, thanks to the new Beat Zero service, we'll be able to reduce emissions by more than 2,000 tons of CO2 per year, equivalent to what is processed by more than 140,000 trees. This is possible thanks to the fact that the private fleet is 100% electric, that is, they don't generate polluting emissions into the environment.