From: Hytch, LLC
from: Hytch Rewards Receives 2018 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award
Nashville, Tenn, May 23, 2018 – Technology created by Hytch LLC and used by employers of all sizes to motivate smarter mobility decisions has earned this Nashville-based company the 2018 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award.
Today’s announcement by Governor Bill Haslam and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Shari L. Meghreblian recognizes exceptional voluntary projects or initiatives that improve or protect our environment and natural resources. Hytch Rewards earned recognition in the category of Clean Air based on criteria that includes innovation, on-the-ground achievements and public education.
The concept behind Hytch’s ridesharing technology for smartphones, called Hytch Rewards, is simple: influence positive transit behavior, reduce fuel emissions and alleviate traffic through sponsored cash rewards. Every ride tracked and rewarded by Hytch is a carbon neutral mile driven.
After two years in development, the Hytch Rewards app launched in February with Nissan North America as the first automaker to pledge funds to reward two or more people in a car willing to track their ride in the state of Tennessee. In less than 100 days, Hytch Rewards sponsored more than 43,000 rides. That’s 1.6 million vehicle miles not driven in Tennessee and 494 less tons of carbon in our state’s atmosphere according to Hytch (as of 05/22/2018). That’s the equivalent of over 33,000 trees saved, or 660 acres of healthy forest – saved by users – one trip at a time. Hytch’s partners achieved these results with less than $60,000 in cash payments directly to Tennessee commuters.
“Congratulations to the HYTCH team on this recognition, it strengthens our belief that this partnership benefits the environment and our community,” said Dan Teeter, director, Vehicle Connected Services, Nissan North America, Inc. “Working with partners like Hytch can help Nissan learn about how consumer behavior evolves with the introduction of new mobility options
“It’s about shared assets,” Cleveland added, “And the fact that people do more of what you reward them to do and it’s embarrassingly obvious once you stop to think about it. Nissan is the first auto maker to support our idea and cleared a path for other sponsors and employers to follow.”
According to Hytch data, a six percent adoption rate in carpooling would eliminate 1,500 daily trips into Nashville. At typical highway speed, that is the equivalent of adding an extra lane to the interstate at any given point, at no cost to taxpayers.
Hytch expansion plans target US cities suffering congestion, “which is just about every US city,” Cleveland pointed out.
The Tennessee Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards are the most prestigious environmental and conservation awards in the state. Now in their 32nd year, the awards are designed to bring greater awareness and recognition to projects making outstanding contributions to Tennessee’s natural resources and to promote leadership by example in protecting and conserving the state’s wildlife, forests, soils, air, water, natural heritage, parks, and recreation.
Winners will be recognized for their achievements and positive impact on the state’s natural resources in an awards ceremony to be held at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs on July 9.
About Hytch LLC
Hytch Rewards is a smartphone app that tracks and rewards ridesharing behavior using first-of-a-kind technology developed in Nashville, Tenn. Winner of the 2016 Nashville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s “Innovation Award,” 2018 Nashville Technology Council’s “Emerging Company of the Year,” and recipient of a 2016-2017 Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Grant, Hytch is quickly validating the platform and business model in Nashville with plans for nationwide expansion. Launch partners include the Tennessee Department of Transportation, Nissan North America, Franklin Synergy Bank, Lipscomb University, Reliant Bank, Goodwill Industries of Middle TN, Onin Staffing, and Sprint Absolute Wireless.
Media Contact:
Gray Public Relations
Amy Kovar, 615-497-1799
akovar@graypr.com
submitted by: David Kent