Are Electric Scooters the Future of Transportation?

Micro-mobile transportation, especially electric scooters, are slowly shaping the way we travel. Electric scooters, in particular, have been around for decades as manual kick scooters, but today, they have been reinvented as an efficient transport option for most commuters. What was once a leisurely kick scooter for children and teenagers now has a more valuable role in the transportation sector.

So, are electric scooters the future of transportation? Along with other micro-mobile devices, it may well become a norm in the coming years due to its growing demand. In fact, the global electric scooter market is expected to grow at a 12.8% CAGR from 2017 to 2026. That is a steady growth for the industry.

Although the electric scooter’s future is still unpredictable, e-scooters have sparked a revolution when it comes to sustainable micro-mobility. Because of this, here are several reasons why it will likely become part of the future of transportation.

Electric scooters solve the first and last-mile problem

One of the pain points of some commuters is the first and last-mile dilemma. For commuters, this refers to the distance between your starting point and the nearest bus or subway station. Often, this distance is too short for commuters to ride a car or too far to walk. Electric scooters solve this problem by offering a lightweight, quick, and efficient mode of transportation.

Electric scooters are also a good option to use when going to nearby shops or places within the neighbourhood, especially if it’s just a short distance. This makes moving around the city more convenient for all kinds of people, from students to office workers.

They are a convenient and efficient means to commute

One of the main reasons why commuters ride e-scooters is their convenience and efficiency. After all, they have portable transportation that can take them anywhere in the city. Commuters also don’t have to sit and wait in traffic since e-scooters can bypass traffic easily.

The latest e-scooter technology also offers faster speeds, better safety features, and advanced technologies. Moreover, although some e-scooters are built for short distances, there are also long-range electric scooters that offer riders more mileage and a better riding experience. Overall, e-scooters are no longer just a scooter that takes you from point A to point B. E-scooters help you live a better and easier lifestyle.

Riding an electric scooter doesn’t cost much

Unlike a car or motorcycle, riding an electric scooter will not cost too much. This is true for other micro-mobility devices. For one, it has lower upfront costs, since decent electric scooters can cost from $300 to $1000. If you are willing to spend more for a premium and high-performance e-scooter, it will cost a little over $2000. That’s still significantly more affordable than a car.

Aside from this, riders don’t need to spend on fuel costs since e-scooters don’t need fuel to run. Since e-scooters are portable, riders also don’t have to worry about finding and paying for parking. E-scooters will also spend little to no maintenance in a year, as long as it’s taken care of. Overall, it’s a good personal transportation for those on a budget or low-income commuters. Its affordability makes personal travelling more affordable.

E-scooters don’t take up space in public

One reason why cities may want to accommodate e-scooters is their space-saving benefits. Thanks to their compact bodies, electric scooters don’t take up much space. In fact, around 10 e-scooters can fit in one car parking slot. Because of this, electric scooters are a good solution to a highly congested city that aims to reduce cars parked on the side of the road.

For e-scooter owners, they also don’t need to worry about finding a parking slot since e-scooters can be carried inside establishments, if allowed. For those who are living in small apartments, e-scooters can fit easily under desks or inside cabinets. So, there’s no need to have a garage for your personal vehicle. As cities become more congested, space will become valuable and e-scooters will help solve the lack of space in cities.

They are a sustainable way to travel

One major reason for the e-scooter’s popularity is the electric scooter’s environmental impact. Since electric scooters don’t use fuel to run, it also doesn’t emit any harmful gases into the atmosphere. As a result, it can help reduce air pollution in highly dense cities. In fact, a study by Lime found that the city of Paris was able to save 330 tons of carbon emissions in just a year, thanks to shared electric scooter schemes. Although some people still question the environmental benefits of electric scooters, e-scooters have proven their worth in contributing to a more sustainable transportation sector.

Cities will gain economic benefits

Several studies have already seen the perks of using e-scooters in a city’s economy. For one, shared e-scooter systems were able to contribute around $13.8 million in sales to food and beverage shops. Meanwhile, the 2019 Global Rider Survey reports that 29.3% of tourists who use shared e-scooters ended their trips at local restaurants or entertainment establishments. By making electric scooters more accessible to the public, it allows them to explore more of the city and contribute to its economy. This is one great reason to ride an electric scooter even after the pandemic.

Micro-mobility will shape the way we move

The future of electric scooters suggests that they will become part of the way we live, especially for those living in cities. In fact, cities may see more personal micro-mobile devices aside from electric scooters. As long as regulations regarding micro-mobility devices are legalised and defined properly, then it would help promote e-scooters and other devices to commuters. It will also be safer for all micro-mobility riders. As more cities legalise and encourage these devices, the sooner we can experience a more affordable, efficient, and micro-mobile way of travelling.