E-scooter trials hit 30 millions trips in UK

The UK’s e-scooter trials have now tipped over the 30-million-trip mark, according to new research.

Following the launch of the first public e-scooter rentals in 2020, there are now 45 fleets available across the country, with 24,000 vehicles now available for hire.  

Micromobiltiy site Zag Daily said there have now been approximately 30 million journeys on e-scooters as part of the Government-backed trial, as the extended deadline for initial trials approaches.

Chief executive of shared mobility charity CoMoUK (Collaborative Mobility UK), Richard Dilks, said: “This is a momentous milestone for the shared e-scooter trials in England to have reached, showing sustained levels of popularity for this new alternative transport option.

“With the Minister recently confirming the Government’s intention to create a new powered light vehicle class that would legalise e-scooters, we want to see that happen as soon as possible to harness this popularity, along with the benefits it brings, while dealing with the lack of regulation of private e-scooters.

“The UK is an outlier in having no committed plan to legalise e-scooters or other future low emission modes that will help us save people money and cut emissions.”

In July 2020, the UK Government made changes to regulation to allow for the trials of rental e-scooters to be fast-tracked. 

The trials are now live in 31 regions across England, as the Government collect safety data for the potential legalisation of private-use e-scooters in 2023. 

Originally, e-scooter trials were scheduled to run until 30th November 2021, but the Government has since extended the trials, first to March 2022, then finally to 30th November 2022.  

Read more: Shared e-scooters last five-times longer than early models 

While a number of regions have opted to further extend their e-scooter trials, including London schemes which have now been extended until 2024, some areas have opted not to continue with the trials, including Kent.

Those authorities opting not to extend their trials will see e-scooters vanish from their streets from the end of November.