Global chauffeur group Blacklane has acquired a majority stake in London-based all-electric chauffeur service Havn.
Blacklane said that the investment would allow it to offer more zero-emission rides in the UK capital, adding the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE performance SUV to its global fleet for the first time.
The group said that the move would also “help accelerate the electrification of Blacklane’s global fleet”.
Havn was launched in 2019 by InMotion, Jaguar Land Rover’s venture capital and mobility services arm, and provides all-electric transport, with passengers able to tailor their ride through an app, including playlists, temperature and chauffeur interaction.
Blacklane highlighted that it has been offsetting the carbon emissions of all of its rides since 2017.
Electric taxi options are growing in London – ride-hailing app Free Now (which claims to have the largest electric fleet in Europe and the largest green fleet of black cabs in London) recently launched an electric-only booking option.
Ride-hailing app Free Now launches electric-only booking option
Lars Klawitter, managing director of Studio 107, InMotion, said that Blacklane and Havn “share the same DNA of customer service, professional chauffeurs and green mobility”, while Sascha Meskendahl, chief revenue officer of Blacklane and director of Havn, commented:
“Havn has proved Londoners don’t have to compromise. Customers can have safety, sustainability and sanitisation at the same time. With our combined expertise, Havn and Blacklane will provide more zero-emission rides in London and beyond to lead the next era of chauffeured services worldwide.”
The two companies also highlighted the Covid-19 measures taken to ensure the safety of chauffeurs and passengers, including drivers taking their temperature daily, wearing masks, circulating fresh air between trips and disinfecting vehicles before and after each journey. Customers are also offered complimentary hand sanitiser and a mask.
Blacklane recently launched flat rate rides between London and the six UK cities of Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Liverpool, Manchester and Southampton, as part of a focus on city-to-city transfers following the collapse in demand for airport rides.
Blacklane offers flat-rate rides between London and six UK cities
