E-scooter News: The Rise of the Electric Scooter in the UK
The electric scooter struck the sweet spot between sustainability and convenience, earning the favor of authorities and commuters.
The transportation sector is one of the most lucrative and fastest-growing industries due to the constant demand for mobility. The global transport services market was estimated to be $7.31 trillion in 2022 and is projected to grow to 15.94 trillion by 2032 for an 8.11% CAGR.
Moreover, micromobility solutions have disrupted the transportation industry like never before, buoyed by immense government support. The electric scooter struck the sweet spot between sustainability and convenience, earning the favor of authorities and commuters.
Since the UK was one of the first to promote broad adoption of the e-scooter, it faced the biggest hurdles. When electric scooter shared mobility solutions first hit the UK streets, they faced immense resistance from the public.
Cyclists and motorcyclists detested e-scooter riders, not knowing how to accommodate them on the roads. Meanwhile, pedestrians feared them as they zoomed through sidewalks and paths forbidden to conventional vehicles.
Even environmentalists expressed skepticism of the shared e-scooter trial scheme, citing how users can discard rental electric scooters irresponsibly anywhere they want. When privately owned e-scooters gained popularity, many UK cities prohibited their use in public spaces.
Learning from the UK’s example, the US encouraged privately-owned electric scooters to avoid the random discarding dilemma. In addition, US cities implemented speed limits for e-scooters and designated areas where such limits did not apply.
UK Becomes the World’s E-scooter Proving Ground
The UK’s struggles to integrate the electric scooter into its urban mobility significantly delayed public acceptance of the personal electric vehicle (PEV). In contrast, it helped other major economies avoid pitfalls, accelerating the adoption of e-scooters into their transportation infrastructure.
As a result, governments expanded their support of the e-scooter through manufacturer subsidies and buyer rebates. For instance, the Indian government implemented an expansive rebate program to make the electric scooter the primary mode of transportation in the world’s most populous country.
Growing support for e-scooters and other EV industries accelerated the advancement of relevant technologies. At the CES 2024 in January, Flash Motors introduced the Infinity X, the world’s most cutting-edge hyperscooter. Infinity X boasted a maximum range of 70 miles and a top range of 75 miles per hour.
