As part of the SPOTLOG project, Vidzeme Planning Region presents a video interview with Raimonds Jurgelis, co-founder of the Latvian start-up Bruntor. The company has developed an electric cargo scooter that is already known and used in daily operations both in Latvia and beyond. In Vidzeme, the solution has also been introduced through testing with local companies, helping them explore its potential for future use. Bruntor’s story illustrates how start-up innovations can drive the development of last-mile solutions and provide ideas relevant for sustainable mobility internationally.
Raimonds Jurgelis, co-founder of Latvian start-up Bruntor, together with his team, developed an innovative electric cargo scooter to address last-mile delivery challenges. The idea was inspired by his own experience struggling to transport groceries. Initially experimenting with electric skateboards, he soon shifted focus to practical cargo scooters after receiving positive feedback during a Riga City Council hackathon, where the team also gained their first client — a key motivator to continue development.
Proving efficiency in the field
Initially targeting consumers with small personal vehicles, Bruntor soon realized that professional markets held greater potential.
Reflecting on this shift, Raimonds notes: “People are not ready to pay more for commuting as today… That is why we moved towards professional use.”
This decision led Bruntor to transition from consumer markets to business and government partnerships, most notably collaborating with Latvian Post and PostNord in Denmark. Tests showed significant results: workload was reduced, and deliveries became faster and more efficient.
“They proved that in their daily operations, Bruntor was 30% more efficient than an electric van, even though we had to top up the vehicle four times during the day,” Raimonds recalls.
Crossroads of Innovation and Regulation
At the same time, regulatory barriers proved to be a challenge. The scooter, with its four wheels and no seat, did not fit neatly into any existing vehicle category.
“It’s a simple solution, nothing overcomplicated — a lightweight electric vehicle. But because of its form, it doesn’t fit into the picture of existing regulation,” Raimonds explains.
Recent regulatory updates, however, are opening new opportunities for Bruntor to operate more freely in international markets.
Looking ahead, Bruntor’s development could involve not only providing delivery services directly but also expanding international cooperation, entering new markets, and forming partnerships with logistics companies. Such solutions could become an important part of sustainable urban mobility plans.
Bruntor is a solution created in Latvia with international potential. The company’s active work is proof that innovative and competitive products are being developed here, capable of addressing global challenges in mobility and sustainability.
