Bolt is expanding its operation in the UK through a new car-sharing partnership with Hiyacar, as the ride-hailing firm looks to fill the gap left by Zipcar’s withdrawal from London.

From this autumn, Londoners will be able to book Hiyacar vehicles directly through the Bolt app without paying a membership fee, marking the first UK launch of Bolt Drive, the company’s car-sharing business, says CityAM.

The move gives Bolt another transport option alongside its existing ride-hailing, e-bike and scooter services, while providing Hiyacar with access to Bolt’s customer base, which the company said already includes more than half of London’s residents.

With Zipcar departing London, a gap for residents who need a car occasionally but do not want the costs of ownership has opened up.

Users will be able to rent vehicles owned by private individuals through the Bolt app, with Hiyacar continuing to manage the peer-to-peer network behind the service.

“London has plenty of cars sitting idle. The problem is access,” said Don Iro, chief execuutive of Hiyacar. “Being in the Bolt app means our vehicles are visible to people at the moment they actually need one, not just to people who already knew Hiyacar existed.”

Research commissioned by the company found more than 75 per cent of Inner London residents do not own a car, while Bolt said more than 70 per cent of its UK customers are also non-car owners.

Founded in 2016, Hiyacar is the UK’s only homegrown peer-to-peer car-sharing platform and has more than 265,000 registered users.

Bolt launched in the UK in 2019 and now operates across 20 cities, offering ride-hailing alongside micromobility services including e-bikes and scooters.

The Hiyacar partnership marks the first time Bolt has introduced its Bolt Drive product in the UK, following similar integrations with local mobility providers elsewhere in Europe.

(Picture: Bolt)