Why E-scooters Will Still Be Relevant Post-pandemic

Electric scooters for adults have become a convenient means of transport during the pandemic since they offer a safer alternative to commuting. When people became wary of using public transportation, the market saw increased micro-mobility usage, including e-scooters, e-bikes, bicycles, and more. These devices also provide an efficient, affordable, and accessible ride during tough times. As a result, many people have started favouring the use and legalisation of these portable rides.

However, will the e-scooter continue its popularity even after the pandemic? Several studies suggest that e-scooters and other micro-mobility devices will continue to become part of urban transportation. For one, the global e-scooter market is predicted to increase from USD 17,630 million in 2017 to a 12.8% CAGR by 2026.

In addition, a Lime survey found that riders in Berlin, London, Seattle, New York, and Seoul plan to ride e-scooters in the future. Moreover, a McKinsey survey suggests that people will opt for solitary forms of transportation, such as e-scooters, cars, and bikes.

So, how will electric scooters in Australia remain relevant post-pandemic? Here are several reasons that will make them a good investment in the future.

How Will E-scooters Become Relevant Post-pandemic?

Offer a Sustainable Means of Transportation

One of the benefits of riding electric scooters is their sustainability. Some of the electric scooter’s environmental impacts include zero emissions, reduced carbon emissions for its overall lifecycle, and reduced land waste.

When it comes to reducing emissions, e-scooters offer a significant difference compared to using cars and motorcycles. For example, data from the EPA show that the average passenger vehicle produces 4.6 metric tons of CO2 yearly. That’s millions of CO2 emitted annually in the US alone.

Moreover, a car still produces nearly seven times the CO2 emission unlike an e-scooter even when you consider e-scooter maintenance and production. Aside from these, some electric scooter parts use recyclable or sustainable materials. By having recyclable parts, such as metal screws and frames, e-scooters help reduce land and water waste.

As more cities shift towards eco-friendly transport solutions and as more commuters become conscious of their carbon footprint, electric scooters will become a convenient and sustainable means of transportation for many people.

Provide a Low-cost Commuting Alternative

Electric scooters offer low-income individuals and families an affordable means to get around the city. Electric scooter transportation usually costs from $300 to over $3000, depending on the type of electric scooter you get. Meanwhile, the average car price in Australia is $40,729.

Aside from the price tag, buying an electric scooter means you also need to spend on maintenance. However, e-scooters contain fewer parts, so they are generally low-maintenance and cheaper. Meanwhile, owning a car means you need to have a budget for maintenance, fuel, parking fees, and insurance, which are all ongoing costs.

Meanwhile, an electric scooter can be cheaper than public transportation, specifically if it is owned. Riding public transportation costs around $1,607 in a year, while riding private e-scooters costs around $1,217.60 in a year. Although several factors can affect its overall cost, an electric scooter costs cheaper than a car or public transportation.

Help Resolve Road Congestion

The small, foldable, and lightweight body of an electric scooter makes it a great space-saving vehicle at home and on the streets. As cities increase in population, parking space will continue to become scarce, making it difficult to park vehicles and get around. As a result, many car owners park their cars on the streets, which cause more road congestion.

However, encouraging the use of electric scooters can help reduce the number of vehicles driving and parking on the road. Their compact bodies enable riders to bring and store them anywhere, as long as they are allowed inside establishments. When you need to park it outside, it doesn’t take up much space. Estimates say that six to 20 bicycles can fit one car parking slot, which means that is also the number of e-scooter that can park in one parking space. Overall, reducing congestion on the road will ease traffic and make it easier to get around the city.

Aid in Economic Recovery

Finally, riding an electric scooter for personal transportation will help workers and businesses get back on their feet after the pandemic. Six-month research at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School revealed that shared e-scooter systems contributed an additional sales of $13.8 million to food and beverage shops in Atlanta, Austin, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.

Meanwhile, the July 2019 Global Rider Survey by Lime found that 29.3% of tourists are likely to end their trips at a restaurant or entertainment shop. Meanwhile, a different Lime survey in Washington, D.C. found that 72% of e-scooter riders tend to visit more local shops and attractions since using shared e-scooter services. These data suggest that shared e-scooters help promote tourism in cities.

In addition, electric scooters make commuting more convenient and accessible, thanks to their affordable cost or fees. As a result, it brings low-income individuals closer to work and school opportunities. In the same Lime survey in Washington, D.C., 44% of riders said that e-scooters enabled them to access their current job and other career opportunities. Overall, private and shared electric scooters can contribute to boosting the economy after the pandemic.

It’s Time to Invest in Electric Scooters

Although electric scooter technology is fairly new, their current progress shows that they are capable of reshaping urban transportation. Moreover, they prove that they are not just a trend. Rather, e-scooters have become a driving force for micro-mobility devices to flourish in cities. Overall, you will have no worries about investing your time and money in electric scooters.