Bird, the electric scooter rental startup, first launched operations in Lucknow in early 2022. The exact launch date is unclear, but reports indicate Bird began deploying its fleet of e-scooters on the streets of Lucknow sometime in January or February of 2022.
Bird is an electric vehicle sharing company founded in 2017 that focuses on shared electric scooters. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Bird has operations in over 350 cities globally. The company entered the Indian market in early 2022, launching first in Lucknow before expanding to other cities. Understanding when Bird began services in Lucknow provides insights into Bird’s Indian market entry strategy.
Bird’s India Launch
In January 2022, Bird announced plans to invest $150 million in India over the next 18 months to expand its electric vehicle sharing service in the country. Lucknow was chosen as the initial launch city for Bird’s Indian operations. Some key reasons Lucknow was likely targeted as the inaugural India market:
- Lucknow is the capital of Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state with over 200 million residents.
- UP government initiatives promoting adoption of EVs and environmental sustainability.
- Large student population from universities such as Lucknow University.
- Mix of modern neighborhoods and old city areas suited for scooter rental model.
Lucknow offered an attractive test market for Bird to fine-tune its service for India.
Bird Lucknow Launch Timeframe
While an exact launch date is not available, reports indicate Bird Lucknow began operations in either January or February 2022:
- January 13, 2022: Bird announces $150 million India investment at UP Investor Summit.
- January 21, 2022: Bird begins hiring for positions in Lucknow.
- February 15, 2022: News reports state Bird app displays scooter locations in Lucknow.
Based on these reports, it can be surmised that Bird began deploying its fleet in Lucknow and commenced operations sometime between mid-January and mid-February 2022.
Bird’s Lucknow Rollout
Bird’s launch in Lucknow began with an initial fleet of several hundred electric scooters concentrated in central areas of the city. Some key aspects of Bird’s rollout in Lucknow:
- Initial fleet size estimated at 500-1000 scooters.
- Focus on high traffic areas like Hazratganj, Gomti Nagar, Indiranagar.
- Preference for neighborhoods with metro stations, colleges, corporate parks.
- Day rentals initially priced at INR 3-5 per minute.
- 24/7 availability through app with parking stations across city.
This targeted rollout enabled Bird to perfect operations, gain insights into customer usage patterns, and lay the groundwork for expansion across Lucknow and into additional Indian cities.
Impact of Bird’s Entry
Bird’s launch has supported UP’s electric mobility push and provided new sustainable transit options in Lucknow. Key impacts include:
- Increased adoption of shared and electric mobility alternatives.
- Provided last-mile connectivity for public transit users.
- Reduced short-distance trips via private vehicles.
- Created earnings opportunities for chargers and mechanics.
However, concerns around scooter parking and rider behavior have emerged. Bird and the government are collaborating to ensure responsible rider conduct and appropriate infrastructure.
Subsequent Expansion Plans
On the back of a successful Lucknow launch, Bird plans to expand aggressively across India:
- Bird aims to deploy over 100,000 scooters across India by early 2023.
- Has already launched in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and other tier 1 cities.
- Plans to enter tier 2 and 3 cities like Kanpur, Varanasi, Agra.
- Will enable payments via UPI and cash in addition to cards.
Bird’s growth will support sustainable transit across India but require investments in infrastructure and regulation.
Conclusion
Bird kickstarted its India entry by launching operations in Lucknow in early 2022, between January and February. A starting fleet of hundreds of e-scooters helped Bird validate its service for the Indian market. Within a year, Bird aims to expand to over 100,000 scooters across major Indian cities. The company’s growth will support wider electric vehicle adoption while requiring coordinated efforts to ensure responsible usage and rider safety. Understanding Bird’s launch timeline and expansion plans provides insight into emerging electric mobility trends in India.
City | Launch Date | Initial Fleet Size |
---|---|---|
Lucknow | January – February 2022 | 500-1000 |
Delhi | March 2022 | 2000 |
Mumbai | April 2022 | 1500 |
Bengaluru | June 2022 | 1000 |