Wolt tests EV fleet with swappable batteries in Prague

Tech and delivery company Wolt is part of a pilot in the Czech capital using 20 electric cars with swappable batteries. Developed with Romanian manufacturer UNY and backed by EIT Urban Mobility, the project aims to cut emissions, streamline last-mile logistics, and drive sustainable transport.

Judging from the images provided by Wolt and UNY, the EV in question is the Smart Balance Pocket. It offers two seats and a small truck, where individual battery packages are stored. According to the manufacturer’s website, the small city car has a range of up to 130 kilometres and is equipped with three swappable Li-ion batteries. Two additional batteries can be installed to increase the range, though it is not clear which option is used for the pilot. The car’s top speed is said to be 80 kph.

The pilot in Prague is part of the the NG SEED project, which “implements a universal swappable battery ecosystem for last-mile delivery fleets, zero-emission electric vehicles powered by universal batteries and supported by a network of solar-powered back-up swap stations.” According to the website, they are “compatible with over 20 types of vehicles.”

There are four swap stations in Prague, where drivers can exchange empty batteries for full ones. Thanks to the swappable batteries, there is practically no downtime for the fleet. The companies state that the empty batteries can be exchanged for full ones within seconds.

As mentioned above, the project is supported by EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT). The project takes place in six cities, namely in Prague (Czech Republic), Warsaw (Poland), Budapest (Hungary), where Wolt is a partner, and together with Glovo in the Romanian cities of Timisoara, Bucuresti, and Constanta. Each pilot runs for a minimum of six months.

By the end of the trial phase, Wolt aims to complete more than 70,000 zero-emission deliveries, cover 360,000 kilometres, and save 25 tonnes of carbon dioxide. That is for all three cities combined.

“By participating in the NG SEED programme, we are testing a system that can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 90% while halving operating costs. I believe that solutions like these can help improve the quality of life in cities,” says Jakub Moťovský, Strategy and Innovation Manager for Wolt Couriers in Central Europe.

unymobility.com (NG SEED project), wolt.com (Wolt; in Czech)