Essex County Council has announced that it has found a new operator for its e-scooter trial and will be continuing to offer residents the chance to try out e-scooters.
E-scooter operator Voi was chosen, with the roll-out to begin in Chelmsford on Wednesday 27 August and will continue in Colchester and Braintree at dates to be confirmed soon.
The e-scooter being deployed in Essex is the Voiager 5. This will have a wide range of safety features including triple-braking systems and highly visible LED beacons.
Voi is also committed to reducing pavement riding through improved real-time GPS tracking and geofencing to help manage speed and location.
A hybrid parking model will be rolled out across all locations. This will see the introduction of mandatory parking zones, painted or virtual parking bays in high-footfall areas and incentivised parking zones offering ride discounts.
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Area-specific parking plans have also been developed. These will include 75 bays in Braintree with a focus on outer areas and industrial zones and 150 bays in Chelmsford and Colchester in high pedestrian areas, growth zones and student or commuter routes.
Essex County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and sustainable transport, Tom Cunningham, said: “We’re hugely excited to welcome Voi to Essex as our new e-scooter trial operator.
“They have a proven track record across the UK and Europe, as well as a strong focus on safety, innovation and accessibility, making them a great fit for the trial in Essex.
“The return of e-scooters supports our commitment to increasing sustainable transport options for residents in Essex and we’re excited to see them return to Chelmsford, Colchester and Braintree over the coming weeks.”
Achievements and innovations in e-mobility will be recognised and celebrated at the fourth annual CiTTi Awards on 25 November 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector!
