Electric scooters (e-scooters) have emerged as a convenient and green mode of urban transport worldwide. Being environmentally friendly, flexible, convenient and cheap for transport, e-scooters are a popular option for short trips, commutes, leisure and tourist activities.
Being two-wheeled, they have high maneuverability and with electric motor powered by chargeable battery, they do not need fuel.
It is surprising to find that such devices (named Autoped) were in fact made and used already more than 100 years ago, as illustrated by the photo above from London in 1916.
Lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries are now the most used for mobile applications. They store more energy, last longer and are lighter than other batteries. But Li-ion implies a certain explosion risk. The safety and performance of such batteries are covered by international standards as the IEC 62660 and may be certified accordingly.
El-scooters have typically 500 Watt-hours battery capacity and travel about 50 km at an average of 25 km per hour.
Rental and sharing systems are popular in a growing number of cities. The global e-scooter sharing market size is expected to more than double annually in the coming years. Europe is now in the lead, but in the Asia-Pacific region, annual growth of more than 20% is expected, with China leading.
Despite initial success, some European cities decided to ban the rental of e-scooters due to safety, civility and road regulation concerns. Also, some places have temporarily banned e-scooters in public transport due to the risks of batteries catching fire. Since January 2024, only certified e-scooters can be sold.
The growing number of e-scooters causes concerns about safety, civility and the absence of global legislation.
In Europe, some cities develop their own technical regulations. In the US, some states have regulations.
IEC’s technical committee IEC TC 125 makes standards for el-powered transport devices, such as e-scooters.
The IEC 63281 standard series covers requirements and test methods for electrical and mechanical safety; performance and durability; functional safety; electromagnetic compatibility, maintenance, repair and recycling; as well as power exchange infrastructure.
Let alone the technical hazards to be controlled, the growing popularity of e-scooters also entails major other safety concerns.
Many e-scooter users are inexperienced, often ride without helmets, and may overestimate their balance at higher speeds which contributes to accidents. Some German accident statistics can be seen here. .Also, e-scooters left on sidewalks can obstruct walkways and pose tripping hazards. Riders who use sidewalks illegally increase the danger for pedestrians, particularly children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Unclear regulations on where e-scooters should be used (bike lanes, car lanes, or sidewalks) create conflicts with drivers and cyclists. Sudden movements, limited visibility, and lack of signaling make it harder for other traffic participants to predict e-scooter riders’ behavior.
Bottom line:
While e-scooters can reduce car use and emissions, cities face the challenge of integrating them safely. This requires clearer rules, better infrastructure, and greater awareness among users to balance convenience with public safety. More information may be seen i.a. here .
(This article is based on an IEC e-tech article; edited by T.Sollie)