Tesla ride-share firm growing for U of C grad
‘Electric vehicles operate a lot more efficiently,’ says founder of InOrbis
Rosario Fortugno is watching his Tesla ride-share company expand at ludicrous speed.
With the Calgary Stampede kicking off Friday, the University of Calgary grad has been granted approval to operate his small but growing fleet of electric vehicles as a Transportation Network Company in the city.
Last May, Fortugno launched InOrbis, which ferries well-heeled travellers between Calgary and Edmonton in Tesla Model S and Model X cars, allowing clients to enjoy a luxury ride between the two cities while simultaneously being environmentally responsible.
Now, the brainchild of the former Haskayne School of Business electrical engineering student will join the ranks of Calgary ride-sharing companies with its own unique addition.
And maybe, in the near future, well beyond.
“It’s been going really well and growing at quite a nice pace,” Fortugno said.
“There aren’t many services like this, especially in Canada. It’s something we’re looking at expanding across Canada.”
With InOrbis granted approval from the city, there are now eight Transportation Network Companies in operation as well as 4,143 licensed drivers competing for business.
According to InOrbis’ website, hiring one of the company ’s Teslas — all but one of which, Fortugno said, are driven by private contractors who own the vehicles — begins at $50 in city limits.
One-way inter-city trips start at $150, while a round trip costs at least $220. Exclusive all-day service, including up to 800 kilometres of travel, comes with a $600 price tag.
Fortugno said he’s looking to add more electric vehicles to his fleet beyond those bearing the Tesla brand, maintaining both the sustainability of the service as well as making them more economical to maintain.
“Electric vehicles operate a lot more efficiently,” he said. “Sustainability is really important to me and my company.”
The company is also looking beyond just passenger service, while still maintaining its insistence on using only electric vehicles.
Last fall, InOrbis was the first Calgary company to pre-order a Tesla semi truck, which are scheduled to be released in 2020.
Fortugno said he’s hoping to use the $230,000 base price vehicle to branch into goods movement.
“Long-term, we’re looking at getting into logistics,” said Fortugno of the sleek trucks that according to the California-based company have a range of 800 kilometres and consume less than 125 kWh of electricity per 100 kilometres travelled.
In addition to ride-sharing, InOrbis is also working with travel companies to provide tourist-oriented day trips using their electrical fleet to take people to their destinations.
“It’s been great so far — we’re just growing our service right now and we’re very excited about the future,” he said.