BlueSG cars converted for longer-term rental as car-sharing firm winds down operations
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Tribecar will be taking in BlueSG cars that are between two and five years old.
ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Follow topic:
- BlueSG cars, rebranded "Le Blu Frenchy," will return soon, leased by Tribecar for 3 months to 2 years, following BlueSG's operational wind-down.
- Tribecar anticipates strong leasing interest from individuals and corporations, offering initial two-year leases at $799 monthly, lower than typical EV rates.
- BlueSG considers a "potential sale" of its EVs to Tribecar to promote sustainability goals, with details pending and number of cars unspecified.
AI generated
SINGAPORE – Within the next two weeks, the compact three-door electric cars used for the BlueSG car-sharing service will be back on the road, after the company said it was winding down operations in early August
But instead of being taken out for periods as short as 30 minutes, the cars – rebranded as “Le Blu Frenchy” – will be leased out for between three months and two years from Tribecar, another car-sharing platform.
In response to The Straits Times’ queries, Mr Keith Kee, chief executive officer of BlueSG, confirmed that the company is in discussion with Tribecar on a “potential sale” of the electric vehicles (EVs).
Mr Kee said that the move is intended to extend the life of these cars through Tribecar as a means to “advance the shared goals (between the companies) of reducing carbon emissions and to support Singapore’s broader sustainability agenda”.
The cars used for the BlueSG service are registered with 10-year certificates of entitlement (COEs).
Tribecar will be taking in vehicles that are between two and five years old and have mileages of between 50,000km and “low six-digit”, said Mr Adrian Lee, co-founder of Tribecar.
As at the end of 2024, BlueSG had 692 cars in Singapore, down from the peak of 791 units in 2022 since its car-sharing service was introduced in 2017.
While Mr Kee did not comment on the number of cars involved or when they would be handed over to Tribecar, Mr Lee said his company will “likely have a few hundred (units)”.
Mr Kee also did not say if the Opel Corsa-e, which is a larger five-door hatchback in the BlueSG fleet, will also be sold.
“We will provide updates once the agreement is firmed up,” he added.
Mr Lee told ST on Aug 25 that the rebranded cars are expected to be available to customers within one to two weeks, as they are undergoing preparation work, which includes checks, restorations and a new coat of paint.
He said that interest in leasing the car has been very strong since Tribecar announced the development on its Facebook page on Aug 24.
The first 10 two-year leases will cost $799 a month, which is $89 off the standard price. Three-month leases, which is the minimum period, costs $958 per month.
Typical EV rental rates in Singapore tend to be above $2,000 per month. But these pricier EVs are larger and can travel farther on a single charge than the 130km to 150km range of the ex-BlueSG cars.
Motor insurance is included in the Tribecar lease. The hirer will be liable to pay up to $6,000 in excess in the event of an accident. Alternatively, the excess can be capped to between $500 and $800 if the hirer pays a higher monthly rental.
Such terms are typical for car rental agreements in Singapore.
