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Lime has launched its e-scooter service in Tokyo, marking the shared mobility provider’s first market in Japan.
The launch is a major step for the company as it continues to expand in 2024, building on three consecutive years of 30% year-over-year growth.
Lime’s Tokyo launch is the company’s first step toward East Asia expansion as it prepares to build a presence in the region.
“We’re honoured by the opportunity to bring Lime to Japan, starting with our initial launch in Tokyo,” said Lime CEO Wayne Ting.
“We believe Tokyo residents and visitors will benefit from greater access to affordable, emissions-free vehicles and we can’t wait to serve them with a service that is uniquely tailored to Japan.
“The need for more sustainable transportation options is universal, and this launch is a monumental step forward in our mission to build a future where transportation is shared, affordable and carbon-free.”
Lime today, August 19, launched a total of 200 Gen4.1 and Gen4.1 Seated e-scooters across six areas in Tokyo: Shibuya, Shinjuku, Meguro, Setagaya, Toshima and Nakano wards.
The company expects to gradually expand its service over the coming months to serve residents with more vehicles across more neighbourhoods.
There are also ongoing discussions with potential partnerships in the private and public sectors.
“Lime is thrilled to enter Tokyo, a city that values diversity, innovation and sustainability,” said Terry Tsai, country manager for Lime in Japan.
“We offer electric mobility services that can offer new and convenient alternatives for residents and visitors to travel around the city, and inspire them to use shared micromobility as a flexible solution for social problems like traffic congestion, transportation access, rural elderly, and the need to develop more sustainable cities.
“We believe electric micromobility sharing services have a great potential to be widely accepted and adopted as a public transportation option in Japan.
The Gen4.1 Seated becomes the first shared vehicle of its kind in Japan.
The seat allows riders to use it similarly to a bicycle without the fatigue of standing, catering to a wider range of users, from young to elderly.
In addition, the dedicated storage space underneath allows riders to carry groceries or other items, expanding the use-cases for shared micromobility in Japan.
Lime’s launch in Japan builds on the company’s momentum in 2024 as it continues to expand into new markets, deepen its presence in existing markets, and pilot new vehicles to encourage greater adoption of micromobility.
Earlier this summer, Lime relaunched service in Athens and Thessaloniki, Greece for the first time since 2020, as well as new launches in Brisbane, Baltimore, Innsbruck, and an upcoming launch in Vancouver.
This pairs with expansions in New York City, London, Paris, Seattle and Chicago.
Lime also announced and launched pilots of two new vehicles designed to appeal to a wider range of prospective riders, including women and older riders.
The LimeBike and LimeGlider, currently in pilot phase in Atlanta, Seattle and Zurich, feature smaller wheels, a lower step-through frame, more comfortable grips and throttles for easy riding.
Lime is coming off two consecutive years of positive Adjusted EBITDA, with more than $600 million in gross bookings in 2023 and nearly $100 million in Adjusted EBITDA, a 500% jump year-over-year.
