SmartRyde Co., Ltd. (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Sota Kimura; hereinafter referred to as "SmartRyde") has been providing airport shuttle services at major airports in cooperation with MK Group companies since 2019. The company has announced that it will offer EV vehicle designated service on select routes* following a contract signed with MK Co., Ltd. (Head office: Minami-ku, Kyoto City; CEO: Hiroshi Maekawa; hereinafter referred to as "Kyoto MK") in July 2024.
This initiative is in line with Kyoto MK's SDGs goal of “all vehicles to be ZEV by 2030” and SmartRyde's SDGs goal of “100% EVs on our platform by 2030”. The two companies will actively promote the use of EV vehicles in their services, aiming for the widespread use of EV cab and car hire services in Japan.
Comments by Hiroshi Maekawa, Representative Director, MK Corporation
MK Group provides airport shuttle and car hire services at major Japanese airports, collaborating with SmartRyde to transport numerous international visitors. Kyoto MK aims to transition its entire fleet to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2030, aligning with its decarbonization goals as a taxi company. The partnership with SmartRyde is particularly beneficial as both companies share similar sustainability objectives.
Comment from Sota Kimura, CEO of SmartRyde Co., Ltd.
We have received many requests from our overseas business partners to develop eco-friendly services in Japan, and we have been looking for a way to meet their needs. We are very pleased to be working with MK Group to develop EV cab services in Japan, as we strongly share their commitment to the SDGs. We would also like to actively expand awareness and promote the use of EV cab and car hire services among our business partners around the world, so that many customers will be able to use our EV cab service.
About MK Group's SDGs efforts and converting all vehicles to ZEVs
https://www.mk-group.co.jp/about/sdgs_ev
About SmartRyde's SDGs goals (2023: Council for Inclusive Capitalism)
https://www.inclusivecapitalism.com/organization/smartryde-inc/#ev-service-in-asia
*Operating areas:
SmartRyde Co., Ltd. Company Profile
