Toyota to trial its Ha:mo carshare concept at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University

Toyota has announced that its Toyota Motor Thailand (TMT) subsidiary will be trialling its Ha:mo first-mile, last-mile electric vehicle (EV) sharing solution in Bangkok from December.

TMT is partnering with Chulalongkorn University to implement the Ha:mo ultra-compact EV-sharing system within the university’s campus in the Thai capital. The Ha:mo system was launched in Toyota City in 2012 and has been implemented in environments such as major cities, tourist spots, and provincial towns since then, including Tokyo, Okinawa, Okayama, in Japan, and Grenoble in France.

Ha:mo is a carsharing system that uses ultra-compact EVs suitable for short-distance travel and allows one-way usage. The concept seeks to realize comfortable travel and an environmentally friendly mobile society by providing a mode of first-mile, last-mile transportation between public transportation facilities and other destinations.

As a joint project commemorating TMT’s 55th anniversary and Chulalongkorn University’s 100th anniversary, a decision was reached to implement the service within the university’s campus to explore ways to solve traffic issues, such as congestion and air pollution, in the major cities of emerging countries.

The project is being carried out as a case model for other worldwide locations. The service is set to start with 10 of Toyota’s COMS ultra-compact EVs, and an additional 20 units will be introduced in the middle of next year, providing a total ecosystem of 30 vehicles. There will be 12 Ha:mo stations linking the university campus to the nearest train station and bus stops in the area. In addition, parking space for 33 vehicles will also be provided, of which 10 spaces will also have charging equipment. The service is expected to be used by people in the area, with the main users being students and university staff. Once registered, users will pay each time for their period of use.

There are also plans to pursue new forms of mobility by searching for sponsor companies, as well as taking in further business ideas from companies, government and academia. Making use of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, Toyota is committed to globally deploying the most suitable transportation services through its Mobility Services Platform (MSPF) to connect people, vehicles and society, in order to create new value for vehicles, and to help realize a mobile society in which customers are increasingly able to enjoy safe driving. Within that ambition, the Ha:mo next-generation community network will support solutions for local issues through optimal connection between personal transportation modes and public transport.