Uber Technologies-backed Lime is entering Japan¡¯s growing e-scooter ride market in a foray that pits the San Francisco-based startup against homegrown Luup.
Lime, which has a global fleet of around 200,000 e-bikes and scooters, on Monday launched its service in some of Tokyo¡¯s most densely populated wards: Shibuya, Shinjuku, Meguro and Setagaya. Lime now has around 200 electric scooters and more than 40 recharging ports. Tokyo-based Luup, which controls more than 90% of the domestic market in terms of ride mileage, operates 9,100 ports.
¡°We¡¯re starting small,¡± Lime CEO Wayne Ting said in an interview. ¡°We want to grow slowly with the city and really earn the trust of local regulators and city officials.¡±
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