While predicted to be the solution to our urban mobility problem, personal use electric scooters have been surrounded in legal problems. However recent laws have come into place legalising the usage of rental e-scooters and now trails of rental scooters are taking place around the country.
What is an e-scooter?
An e-scooter is a 2-wheel motorised vehicle powered, usually, by lithium ion batteries and qualities as a Personal Light Electric Vehicle (PLEV)
E-scooters use no pedals and do not require any initial momentum with your foot to start moving. They have an average speed of 12mph and can travel roughly 11 miles before needing a recharge. All of these aspects have led to electric scooters being an attractive prospect for urban mobility.
It is clear to see that cities are having a serious issue with congestion and pollution and scooters could be a potential solution. A successful implementation of electric scooters could make a significant environmental impact by reducing the carbon output of commuters, not to mention reducing their commuting time.
What’s the current law?
Currently, only rental electric scooters are legal as part of government trials. Under new government laws, rental scooters can be used on roads and cycle lanes, but not on pavements. You will also now need a full or provisional driving licence to use a trial electric scooter.
What about other countries?
Europe and the US have embraced electric scooters much faster than the UK with more than 100 cities providing access having access to rental schemes. According to some reports, an estimated 20,000 electric were on the streets of Paris in 2018. Though an increase in scooter numbers alongside an increase in bicycles usage has led to congested cycle lanes and roads.
What are the benefits of an e-scooter?
• Cost-effective – You can save money on fuel and most most can be charged on the mains at home or at the office.
• Ecologically sustainable – No harmful emissions, helping to ameliorate inner-city air quality.
• Time-saving – by avoiding congestion or speeding up long walks, electric scooters can save enormous amounts of time on a morning commute
URBAN ELECTRO Rushden
Will there be a change in the law?
The UK government had been considering whether to repeal the ban on electric scooters for considerable length of time now, as part of their efforts to make travel more sustainable.
Furthermore, with covid-19 looming over us, the government has also been set the task of trying to reduce public transport numbers but still allow people to travel around the city to get the economy moving again, making electric scooters are very viable option. Alongside the taks of working towards net zero emissions by 2050 net zero emissions by 2050, e-scooters could be a realistic way of achieving this. However some critics have called for even stricter regulations due to an increase in e-scooter-related accidents across the continent.
What are your thoughts on electric scooters? Are they a roadside and pavement menace? Or a practical and sustainable way of moving through our congested cities?
Visit URBAN ELECTRO Rushden, Northampton today to see the latest electric transport technology from electric bikes to electric scooters to electric motorbikes.