Our History

E-Tuk Factory, Nextem

A Decade, A Thousand Stories: What Brought Us Here

It all began with a feeling that was hard to ignore. Right next door, in our neighboring Spain, there was an enormous tourism potential waiting to be discovered.

One of our partners, accustomed to the pulse of Lisbon’s streets and the energy of tuk tuk tours, realized that this model could find new life in other European destinations. And it was Madrid that truly sparked his imagination.

But a vision alone is not enough. It had to be turned into something concrete. And so, almost as if pieces were falling into place at just the right moment, two new partners joined. Each brought an essential piece of the puzzle: commercial experience and deep market knowledge, a creative mind focused on marketing, and a solid financial vision that allowed for confident steps forward. Three people, three skill sets, one shared dream.

The plan was ambitious: to create a tuk tuk tour company in Spain, to be a pioneer in that market, and to launch with a fully sustainable, all-electric fleet. The ambition was there, the strategy defined, the path mapped out. The only thing missing was… the vehicles. And they were slow to arrive.

But giving up has never been part of this team’s DNA. So instead of waiting, we decided to move forward with what we had within reach. And that’s how, somewhat unexpectedly, we began operating in Lisbon with four gasoline-powered tuk tuks. It wasn’t the perfect scenario, nor what we had initially envisioned, but it was the step that allowed us to begin. And sometimes, it’s the first step that changes everything.

It was there, among familiar streets and curious customers, that we realized the project had a soul. That it had strength. That it had a future.

That’s how Local TukTuk was born, and how the first chapter of our story began.

Tuk Tuk Distribution in Spain

After truly immersing ourselves in the tuk tuk tour market in Madrid and confirming the enormous potential that existed there, we were encouraged to take the next step: to begin distributing 100% electric tuk tuks in Spain. It was a bold move, but one that aligned perfectly with the vision that has always guided us.

At the time, we were working with Tuk Tuk Factory BV, a Dutch company with factories in Thailand, known for developing innovative and reliable electric vehicles. The relationship got off to a promising start and, in 2018, just one year after we began commercialization, we reached an important milestone: we became the brand’s exclusive distributors in Spain. It was a defining moment that reinforced our confidence in the path we were building.

But not every story moves forward in a straight line.

In 2019, Tuk Tuk Factory BV underwent a deep restructuring process. It was a moment of uncertainty, the kind that makes any company question the future. However, as so often happens, change also brought a new opportunity: new investors took control and the company was reborn under a new name, E Tuk Factory.

Our relationship was renewed, and trust remained strong. Even with external changes beyond our control, we stayed committed to our goal: to bring electric tuk tuks to the streets of Spain and transform the way visitors experience its cities.

Resilience in Times of Change

The Covid-19 pandemic brought profound changes and unprecedented challenges at every level. The tourism sector, one of the hardest hit, was tested like never before, and we were no exception.

With cities falling silent and travel abruptly coming to a halt, it became clear that it was time to reinvent ourselves. During this period, Local TukTuk ceased its own operations in Lisbon and fully transformed into a tuk tuk tour sales platform, dedicated to connecting partner companies with travelers from around the world. It was a structural shift, demanding yet necessary. Another step of adaptation in a time of great uncertainty.

However, not all the news during this period was about retreat. On the contrary. In 2020, as a result of consistent work and the reputation we had built in Spain, we reached a new milestone: we secured exclusive distribution rights for E Tuk Factory tuk tuks in Portugal. It was an added responsibility, but also a clear sign of confidence in the path we were following.

A representation we maintain to this day and one that clearly reflects what we believe in: even in the most challenging times, it is possible to grow, evolve, and find new opportunities, as long as we never lose sight of the vision that brought us here.

As a result of this adaptability and resilience, at the end of 2025, we reached yet another important milestone: we became distributors of 100% electric vehicles from the brand Nextem. This step represented not only the continuation of our growth but also the natural expansion of our vision.

By embracing this new challenge, we reinforced our commitment to sustainable urban micromobility, expanding our scope into key areas for the future of cities, such as logistics and urban cleaning, sectors where innovation and sustainability go hand in hand, and where we believe we can make a real and positive impact.

Present and Future

Ten years after our inception, and following a long, demanding journey filled with learning, we look back with pride at the path we have built. Today, our portfolio goes far beyond tuk tuks: it includes a diverse range of sustainable mobility vehicles, designed to meet different needs, sectors, and challenges.

Time has passed, and with it, contexts, markets, and circumstances have evolved. Nothing has remained exactly as it was at the beginning. But if there is one thing that has stayed unchanged, it is our commitment to what has defined us since day one: sustainability, creativity, and resilience. These values continue to guide every decision, every project, and every new step we take.

No story is built alone. This is also a moment of deep gratitude to all the partners, clients, suppliers, and team members who have been, and continue to be, part of this journey. Every contribution has been essential in bringing us to where we are today.

We celebrate what we have achieved, but above all, we look forward. May the future bring new challenges, new opportunities, and many successes. We are ready to continue writing this story with the same passion as always, and with an even clearer vision of the road ahead.