In the heart of Hammersmith and Fulham, a quirky new transport solution is turning heads and challenging conventional urban mobility. Since September 2024, ten bright yellow electric buggies—operated by startup Yo-Go—have been zipping around the borough in a limited trial that has both baffled and delighted Londoners.
At first glance, the buggies resemble glorified golf carts. But beneath their unassuming appearance lies a concept that might just make sense in a city overwhelmed by congestion, emissions, and the rising cost of car ownership.
Each Yo-Go buggy accommodates two passengers and their luggage, reaching a top speed of 20mph. They’re classified as L6e quadricycles, road-legal and redesigned for British weather, albeit with minimal protection from the elements. Powered by a 5kWh battery and 4kW electric motor, they offer up to 30 miles of range, recharged via solar panels or London’s lamp-post charging network.
The concept is simple and affordable: subscribers pay 10p per minute with a £10 monthly fee, while casual users are charged 20p per minute. Parking the vehicle reduces the rate to just 5p a minute. Compared to services like Lime or Zipcar Flex, the buggies are strikingly cost-effective.
Driving one requires a UK license held for at least two years and registration through the Yo-Go app, including ID verification and a 24-hour approval process. Once approved, users can locate a buggy in designated parking bays, scan a QR code, and drive away—returning the vehicle to any bay to end the session. Plans are underway to allow users to leave buggies on their own streets, further embedding them into community life.
The brains behind Yo-Go, automotive engineer Samuel Bailey, saw potential in an unlikely place: China. Partnering with vehicle manufacturer Marshell, Bailey brought the idea to London, refining the buggy’s design to better suit urban conditions. Though compact, the buggy boasts solid handling, decent suspension, and a surprising amount of agility, making it well-suited to the capital’s narrow and pitted roads.
“The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Bailey. “Each buggy is used around three times a day, and we now have about 5,000 registered users—from parents on the school run and carers, to builders transporting materials across the borough.”
Despite their novelty, Yo-Go buggies face skepticism. Critics question whether the vehicles are robust enough for year-round use and whether they’ll end up abandoned like other micro-mobility solutions. Bailey, however, is confident. Each buggy is registered to the user, and security features are built-in to deter theft or misuse.
While the interiors are basic—hard plastic panels, open storage boots, and few frills—the driving experience is refreshingly straightforward. With pedals labeled ‘Stop’ and ‘Go’, a clear dashboard, and responsive acceleration, even novice drivers can handle the buggy with ease.
Ultimately, the Yo-Go buggy may be more than just a novelty. In a city desperate for smarter, greener, and more economical transport options, this pint-sized electric vehicle could represent a modest but meaningful step forward. Whether it’s a glimpse of the future or just a clever experiment remains to be seen. But for now, it’s safe to say: London’s roads just got a little more interesting.
Source: Autocar
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