Modern mobility solutions offer an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional means of transport. The use of electric scooters has increased significantly, especially in urban areas, as recent statistics show. Millions of young people around the world use them to travel short distances in their everyday lives. The general popularity of electric scooters inevitably leads to an increase in rental options.
Unfortunately, the means of transport are not always parked properly by users or third parties. Statistical data show that electric scooters scattered around the area are an increasing problem. Some municipalities have already taken sensible measures to better regulate a slightly chaotic cityscape and the possible obstruction of pedestrians by setting up parking spaces and zones or prescribing fixed distance regulations from footpaths and entrances.
How does this form of electromobility work?
The electric scooters that are apparently available at numerous spots in cities usually belong to private companies that specialize in the rental business. The best-known providers include Lime, Bird and Tier. These companies operate entire fleets of electric scooters and are of course responsible for their maintenance, charging and operation. They are often charged by so-called “chargers”, i.e. registered individuals who receive a fee per unit.
The operators use appropriate technology to find out where the electric scooters are and when they need to be charged. Each vehicle is equipped with a GPS tracker that transmits the current location in real time. There are also usually extensive usage patterns and estimable charging cycles, which are intended to help continuously optimize the distribution of electric scooters that are always ready for use in high-traffic areas.
Uncomplicated rental process for electric mobility
The process is carried out via special apps from the respective operators. The rental costs are often in the range of 1 dollar for the first unlocking of the electric scooter and an additional 15 – 40 cents per minute, in some cases there are also flat rates for longer rental periods. Payment is made using common methods such as credit card or PayPal directly via the app. There is a QR code on the vehicle, which is used to unlock it and make it available for use.
After the trip, the fee due is automatically debited. As far as the “return” is concerned, this is usually straightforward: the electric scooter can simply be parked as long as it is in the provider’s business zone. The app then registers the end of use and issues a receipt. In addition, many services offer the option of taking out special tariffs or subscriptions. Those who use electric scooters regularly may find them cheaper.
Is all the effort even worth it?
On the one hand, operating a fleet of electric scooters requires significant investments in infrastructure, maintenance, marketing and personnel. Providers have to set up a network of chargers and there are costs for GPS tracking and mobile app development. However, the growing demand for environmentally friendly transport solutions in urban areas proves them right. Many operators rely on a mix of hourly fees and subscriptions to appeal to different customer groups.
If you rely on an electric scooter every day, the costs of rental offers quickly rise. From an economic point of view, the purchase for personal use pays for itself after just a few months. The range of models is between 317 and 1584 euros. With your own electric scooter, you are not dependent on the existing rental offer, but you should also make a few other considerations, such as the costs of maintenance, insurance and possible repairs.
