Why We're Fully Electric
Ryde began with a simple question, one asked on a holiday that would unknowingly shape the future of transport in Jersey.
While travelling abroad with his wife, our founder Charlie Petulla found himself discussing why Jersey didn’t have the convenience of Uber or an equivalent. It was an innocent question, but it sparked something bigger. Charlie saw an opportunity: Jersey didn’t just need a modern mobility solution, it needed one that reflected the island’s values and future ambitions. If a new transport service was going to exist, it had to be better than existing models, not just a copy of them. It had to be cleaner, more responsible, and built for long‑term sustainability.
Before a single vehicle was selected or a name was chosen, Charlie made one non‑negotiable decision: Ryde would be fully electric. Not eventually. Not partially. From day one, and always.
This founding principle is at the heart of who we are. Ryde wasn’t created merely to move people from A to B; it was created to move Jersey forward. Modern mobility shouldn’t come at the cost of air quality, climate targets, or local wellbeing. Charlie’s early vision has since grown into a mission: to transform how Jersey travels through technology, innovation, and a fleet that produces zero tailpipe emissions.
That commitment aligns directly with where Jersey itself is heading. The Government of Jersey has legally committed to reaching net‑zero emissions by 2050, following the extension of the Paris Agreement to the island. It has also set ambitious interim targets: a 68% reduction in emissions by 2030 and 78% by 2035, based on 1990 levels. Transport is Jersey’s single largest contributor to emissions, responsible for 45% of all on‑island greenhouse gases, making it the most critical sector to decarbonise. Choosing electric wasn’t just a business decision, it was the only option that aligned with Jersey’s strategy and environmental needs.
Electric vehicles also make perfect sense for an island like Jersey. Shorter journeys mean optimal battery efficiency, rapid turnarounds, and minimal energy waste. EVs also deliver smoother acceleration, quieter rides, and reduced noise pollution, making them better for passengers and neighbourhoods. But the environmental benefits go further. Jersey has already reduced emissions by 47.5% between 1990 and 2023, largely because the island now imports low‑carbon nuclear and hydro‑electric power from France. This means electric travel in Jersey is significantly cleaner than in regions still reliant on fossil‑fuel electricity generation.
From the beginning, Charlie understood that Ryde couldn’t simply mirror existing transport models, it had to exceed them. Sustainability was never an add‑on; it was the foundation. Today, that decision continues to guide every operational choice we make, from the vehicles we deploy to the partnerships we form and the innovations we roll out. Ryde is here not only to offer a better way to travel, but to help Jersey meet its long‑term climate commitments proactively and meaningfully.
What started as a conversation on holiday has become a mission: to give Jersey a modern mobility solution built on responsibility, ambition, and environmental integrity. And as Jersey accelerates toward a cleaner, net‑zero future, Ryde will stay at the forefront of that journey, leading the transition one electric trip at a time.
