Source: ZAG Daily

Oslo plans to increase its shared e-scooter fleet from 8,000 to 16,000 vehicles starting April 1, 2025, with an option to raise the total to 18,000 if needed.

Oslo City Council has also approved extending operator permits from one to two years, aiming to improve micromobility access in the city’s outskirts, where car ownership is higher, and public transport less accessible.

These changes are intended to position shared e-scooters as a supplement to public transport, enhancing transit connectivity and reducing car use. The city’s public transport authority, Ruter, played a consultative role in the decision. Øyvind Kragh Kjos, Ruter’s Shared Mobility Product Specialist, highlighted the focus on expanding access in low-density areas and improving links to bus stops.

The updated regulations adjust fleet distribution across the city, based on its ring road system:

• Within Ring 2: 4,400 e-scooters (no change).
• Between Ring 2 and Ring 3: 3,200 e-scooters (an increase of 800).
• Outside Ring 3: 8,400 e-scooters.

Fabian Paasche Engesæth, Associate at Oslo-based mobility consulting firm Movability, commented that the move contrasts with more restrictive approaches in cities like Paris and Madrid, emphasising Oslo’s focus on leveraging e-scooters to enhance transit availability. “The cap increase improves the commercial viability for operators while benefiting citizens in underserved areas,” he said.

Impact on Operators

Voi, Ryde, and Bolt, the three operators awarded contracts in Oslo, welcomed the new regulations. Christina Moe Gjerde, Voi’s Vice President for Northern Europe, described the changes as a significant opportunity to meet growing demand for sustainable transport. She noted that the longer contract period provides stability for long-term investments, while increased fleet capacity allows better service coverage and stronger integration with public transport.

Ryde CEO Tobias Balchen praised Oslo’s approach to addressing specific urban transport challenges rather than applying strict caps citywide. He emphasised that the regulations reflect a shift toward recognising micromobility as an integral part of urban transport systems.

Looking Ahead

Oslo previously reduced its e-scooter fleet from nearly 20,000 to comply with tighter regulations, prompting some operators to exit the market. The new framework, however, is seen as a “game-changer” by Movability Advisor Morten Askeland, who noted that it enhances Oslo’s attractiveness as a key market for operators. The upcoming tender process is expected to be highly competitive as operators prepare to capitalize on the city’s expanded commercial potential.