Metro mayor threatens to stop Voi trial over Russia links

Metro mayor Dan Norris is threatening to pull the plug on the company behind Bristol’s e-scooter trial unless it severs ties to Russia.

The West of England mayor has warned the boss of Voi that its actions will “strongly affect my thinking regarding the future use” of the firm’s electric two-wheelers.

It comes after Bristol24/7 revealed that one of the Swedish operator’s major shareholders has close links to Russia, which has been widely condemned for invading Ukraine.

In response, Voi says it has ceased all business activities in Russia and its ally Belarus and is reevaluating all its partners in light of the war to take “all actions deemed necessary to comply with sanctions”, including removing shareholders who “no longer align with our core values”.

Russian businessman Alexander Eliseev owns about £10.8m worth of shares in Voi. He is a major shareholder and chairman of shipping firm Globaltruck, which is partly owned by the Russian state through the wealth fund RDIF.

Swedish newspaper Di says that Eliseev has business links with Alexei Mordashov, an oligarch who has been sanctioned by the EU over the invasion.

……………………………………

This Bristol24/7 content is made possible by contributions from our members. In February and March, we are on a mission to get to 1,000 supporter members. Membership is £5 a month and allows us to continue our important work bringing you the best stories in Bristol. If you enjoy reading our articles, please consider supporting us and join today.

……………………………………

In an email to Voi chief executive Fredrik Hjelm at his Stockholm headquarters, Labour mayor Norris said: “I trust that Voi is taking steps to ensure that this link between the company and the Russian regime currently pursuing an illegal invasion of Ukraine is severed.

“The outcome of this matter will strongly affect my thinking regarding the future use of Voi scooters in the West of England.”

Norris recently announced that the West of England electric scooter experiment had been extended until November, meaning it will last at least two years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AkZhJEuvJI

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Voi stopped all business activities in Russia and Belarus, including the reselling of refurbished vehicles.

In a statement, a Voi spokesperson said: “In regards to investors, in order to ensure consistency with our aims and values as a company, Voi conducts background checks on all our investors before agreeing on terms with them.

“None of our investors were under any sanctions when we accepted their investment, and, at the time of writing, none are currently under any sanctions.

“We are currently reevaluating all our partners in light of the recent developments in Ukraine and will take any and all actions deemed necessary to comply with sanctions.

“This includes the removal of shareholders should they no longer align with our core values. We will always abide by any laws or sanctions that are in place.

“Alongside many international businesses, we believe Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a severe violation of international law and we stand on the side of democracy and the Ukrainian people at this time.”

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read more: Voi shows solidarity with Ukraine while also having links to Russian state

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: