Tag Archive: electric scooters

  1. Swifty Releases First and Only UK Road-Legal E-Scooter

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    Swifty Scooters, a leading British scooter manufacturer, is proud to announce the launch of a groundbreaking product that marks a significant milestone in British transportation history. Introducing the Swifty GO GT500, a revolutionary e-scooter that has received official approval for road use in the UK, setting a new standard in urban mobility.

    Unlike traditional e-scooters, the Swifty GO GT500 has achieved certification as a Stand-On Moped within the L1e category by the DVSA, underscoring its compliance with stringent safety and regulatory standards. This distinction positions the Swifty GO GT500 as a pioneering force in the e-scooter industry, demonstrating a commitment to both innovation and safety.

    With transport being the largest contributor to harmful emissions, and two-thirds of car journeys being less than 5 miles long, Swifty’s vehicles offer a clean, accessible and fun solution for urban and suburban travel.

    “If we’re going to convince people to swap car journeys for micromobility, vehicles need to be safe to ride, have cargo capacity, safe battery technology and be able to be easily serviced and repaired. The GT500 is easy to ride and extremely low-cost to run. It delivers on all points.” Co-founder Camilla Iftakhar

    Leading the way in battery safety

    The Swifty GO is the only e-scooter to be powered by Lithium Ferro Phosphate (LFP) a technology that recently won the company ‘Best Start-Up 2023’ at the influential Micromobility Industries Summit in the USA. LFP, the battery chemistry also used by Tesla, not only contains no harmful heavy metals like Nickel and Cobalt, but importantly, LFP is not prone to thermal runaway, making the Swifty GO battery one of the safest on the market.

    The 15Ah LFP battery powers a 500W motor, can be fast-charged, and provides 25 miles of range. This makes the Swifty GO GT500 probably the cheapest mode of transport at only £0.006 per mile.

    “The introduction of the SwiftyGO GT500 signifies a pivotal moment in British transportation history. We take great pride in being the first company to manufacture a road-legal e-scooter in the UK. We are confident that this milestone of innovation will influence the future of sustainable transportation, both in the UK and beyond.” Co-founder Jason Iftakhar

    What’s the current legal status of e-scooters in the UK?

    Privately owned e-scooters are not legal to ride on UK roads. The GT500 is the first and only Stand-On Moped available in the UK (L1e category) and is available to pre-order now for summer delivery.

    Swifty GO GT500, price and key features 

    ●      RRP £3499

    ●      Max Speed: 24 mph / 38kph

    ●      Range: 25 miles / 40 km per charge

    ●      Motor: 500W rear hub motor

    ●      Battery: 36V LFP battery, 15Ah, 540Wh

    ●      Throttle: Grip twist

    ●      Fast charge

    ●      Weight including battery: 34kg

    ●      Max Load: 120kgs

    ●      Pannier racks included

    ●      Adjustable and foldable handlebars

    ●      Dual suspension

    ●      Wheel size: 16” (305mm) x 2.125” pneumatic tyres

    ●      Running costs: £0.006 per mile (16p per charge)

    Customers will need a CBT or motorcycle licence, motor insurance and a motorcycle helmet to ride the Swifty GO GT500 legally on UK roads.

    About Swifty Scooters

    Swifty is a leading British scooter manufacturer and has built a legacy of innovation in the adult scooter market since 2010. Swifty is on a mission to provide clean, inclusive and joyful vehicles which have an immediate impact on reducing road transport emissions. Founded by design entrepreneurs Camilla and Jason Iftakhar, Swifty Scooters export their products to 56 countries. The Swifty GO series is manufactured in the UK. 

    The Swifty GO project received grant funding from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), via the Advanced Propulsion Centre, supported by Innovate UK, facilitated by the Niche Vehicle Network.

    Motor Insurance  

    Details of the insurance offering with our chosen partner, eavi.uk are being finalised. They are a specialist provider of electric vehicle and micro mobility insurance. We’re told to expect premiums that will be in a similar pricing bracket to an annual e-moped policy.

    Voltse Mobility Limited

    Swifty Scooters worked in collaboration with micro mobility engineering consultancy Voltse Mobility Limited (VML) to bring the GO GT500 to market as UK’s first road-legal privately owned e-scooter. Through intensive research VML developed detailed knowledge of the build specifications required for e-scooters to achieve DVSA certification.

    Swifty Live Keynote will be broadcast on Thursday 28th March 7pm GMT via Youtube, for a a live Q and A. SwiftyScooters YouTube Link

  2. Swifty co-founder reflects on the status of UK law for electric scooters

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    Camilla Iftakhar, the co-founder of LEVA-EU member Swifty Scooters, examines the road-legal status of electric scooters under UK law

    In short, there are paradoxes around the status of privately-owned electric scooters in the UK. Camilla Iftakhar points out that it is “legal to buy an electric scooter, it’s legal to sell an electric scooter, but it’s not yet legal to ride an electric scooter on the road (unless it is a rented one covered by e-scooter trials).”  The law also allows the use of electric scooters on privately-owned land.

    Camilla points out that electric scooters are currently classed as a ‘motor vehicle’ but are commonly designed to align with cycles. Motor vehicles require a number plate, tax, MOT, insurance and a driving license, under UK law.

    With numerous changes to personnel at the top level of UK politics in the last few years, it seems that a promising Future Transport Bill which was announced in the 2022 Queen’s Speech has fallen by the wayside. This bill had been set to create a new vehicle class for electric scooters. However in the King’s Speech the following year, the Future Transport Bill was replaced by the Automated Vehicle Bill, leaving electric scooters falling into the gap.

    Camilla points out that light electric vehicles, including electric scooters, have great potential in the fight for emissions reduction. Research results published in the 2022 LEV Climate Study reveal that a shift to LEVs for short trips, from ICE cars and EVs, results in a substantial potential emissions reduction of 44%.

    Camilla has noticed other items which may result in changes to the way electric scooters are legally viewed. These include a proposal that they are viewed as “cycles” in the Road Traffic Offenses (Cycling) Bill, and a consultation, Smarter regulation: proposed changes to legislation for electrically assisted pedal cycles, which proposes that EAPCs (e-bikes) could have an increased motor power limit, from 250W to 500W. As most electric scooters have a 350W or 500W motor, Camilla speculates that this could be in preparation for e-scooter rules, however it is not clear whether that is part of the consideration behind the consultation.

    Camilla concludes on an optimistic note: “Let’s hope that the new government have the foresight to include these clean, inclusive, equitable and joyful vehicles in their manifesto!”

  3. New e-scooter helmet regulations for Malaga

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    Mandatory helmet proposals have been adopted, with operators unhappy with the decision putting pressure on an already competitive market

    Source: TheMayor.eu

    In a move aimed at enhancing safety on the bustling streets of Malaga, the local city council recently implemented a regulation requiring all e-scooter riders, both on shared platforms and private users, to wear helmets. Despite the better intentions behind this decision, it has stirred a heated debate, particularly with scooter rental companies threatening to withdraw from the city if the rules are enforced.

    The city justifies the new mandate by citing an uptick in accidents involving e-scooters. While the local authorities believe that helmets are a necessary precaution, scooter operators vehemently oppose the measure. They argue that the accident rate for electric scooters is comparable to that of bicycles, which are not obligated to use helmets. This, according to a statement from the shared mobility operators, results in discriminatory practices.

    Expressing dissatisfaction, a spokesperson for the scooter lobby emphasized the financial strain on operators, calling it “the straw that breaks the camel’s back”. The spokesperson hinted at the possibility of a single rental company monopolizing the field, given the additional burden of combating helmet thefts. As Malaga grapples with the delicate balance between safety regulations and the economic viability of scooter rentals, the outcome remains uncertain, leaving both riders and operators in a state of anticipation.

  4. My-eScooter calls for a reform of tax benefits for sustainable mobility

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    My-eScooter, a company from Nivelles specialized in the production and distribution of innovative electric scooters, reopens the debate on the tax benefits of soft mobility for companies.

    It may sound absurd, but in Belgium it is currently not possible to use your mobility budget for scooters or other sustainable means of company transport. They are simply not considered “bicycles” in the eyes of the law. In practice, however, electric scooters are already part of the solution. As an example, consider the My-eScooter scooters from GSK and ALD.

    This is not a sharing scooter

    Talking about the growing importance of mobility budgets for companies is actually kicking in an open door. The integration of personal electric scooters provides an additional alternative to the soft mobility of our companies, far from the shared scooters that roam our cities. The need for sustainable and flexible solutions has never been greater, except for our legislator apparently…

    Urgent: the electric scooter must be considered a “bicycle”.

    A quick refresher: since 2021, Belgian employers can enjoy a number of tax benefits to encourage their staff to make use of soft mobility. All costs specifically incurred for the purpose of promoting this use are 100% deductible as business expenses. The purchase, maintenance costs, helmets, padlocks, safety vests, batteries, leasing costs and even healthcare are all included.

    The elephant in the room:

    The legislator does not (yet) regard the electric scooter as a “bicycle”. Yet this means of transport is the perfect complement to cars and bicycles.
    There is no clear equivalence for VAA, mileage allowance or deductibility. However, electric bicycles and scooters have an electric motor and battery and solve the same problem: soft mobility over short distances.

    “This is absurd when you look at the added value of electric scooters in mobility plans. The proof is the tests carried out in collaboration with GSK and the lease applications with ALD,” underlines Sanjeev D’Souza, founder of the My-eScooter brand.

    Convincing tests at GSK

    At DSK, approximately 9,000 employees have a mobility budget. Patrick Vlasselaer, Mobility Manager, is organizing the promotion of electric scooters for the second consecutive year. “By lending the different My-eScooter models, our employees can test and find the electric scooter that suits their profile, both for commuting and for private activities. Initially, I focused on employees who live within a radius of 7 km from the head office, approximately 300 people. The feedback was very positive, thanks to the quality of the products and the innovative options for safe mobility. In consultation with my colleagues from HR, we hope to also introduce this extra soft mobility alternative in our internal offers.”

    An existing offer at Ayvens (ALD Automotive | LeasePlan)

    The leasing specialist did not wait for the legislator to include electric scooters in the offer for companies, but the fiscal brake is already noticeable. When leasing, Irene Malla, Product Manager, pays close attention to 3 criteria: “The quality of the product, the range of maintenance and the flexibility of the solution. I found this added value at My-eScooter. The portfolio is innovative, there is They also have an after-sales service in Belgium and they offer battery regeneration if necessary. We regret that Belgian legislation is an obstacle for our customers, because the demand is certainly there.”

    About My-eScooter

    My-eScooter is a Belgian company specialized in the production and distribution of innovative electric scooters. Their mission is to encourage alternative and sustainable mobility at work and for personal use. The range of innovative and environmentally friendly products includes electric scooters with replaceable batteries and an exclusive battery regeneration service. As a Belgian company, My-eScooter is the partner of the most important players in the field of mobility. www.my-escooter.com

  5. Dott completes refurbishment of 10,000 e-scooters

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    Dott, the responsible micromobility operator, today announces the complete refurbishment of 10,000 of its shared e-scooters. The achievement will double the expected lifespan of those vehicles to seven years, cutting carbon emissions per kilometre by nearly 50%.

    The milestone coincides with the publication of Dott’s latest sustainability report, covering 2022 initiatives. Dott continued to drive down its CO2 emissions in 2022, reaching a total 63% reduction in CO2 emissions per kilometre since 2020.1

    Reducing our impact:

    The refurbishment project removes the need to purchase new vehicles, which has the biggest impact on Dott’s overall carbon footprint. Taking place in Lyon, France and Warsaw, Poland, the scooters are completely dismantled by a dedicated team of specialists, sorted into parts for either recycling, repairing or reusing and then fully renovated and painted. The 10,000 refurbished e-scooters are now supporting trips in Dott cities across Europe.

    Dott also advanced its recycling rate across its operations throughout 2022, sending 90% of all waste to be recycled, compared to 80% in 2021. The figure meets Dott’s 2025 target ahead of time, leading to a renewed, ambitious target of 95% of all waste being recycled in 2023.

    Supporting our teams:

    The launch of Dott’s ‘Ride Your Future’ programme in 2022 provides training to operations and ground teams across software tools, communication, management and organisation skills. Classes take place during paid, working hours, and in 2022 a total of 40 people have been able to develop new skills to further their careers.

    Tackling pollution in cities:

    Dott’s most mature cities now operate under 30 g CO2 per km, a figure which is equivalent to public transport,2 and close to reaching an overall target of 20 grams of CO2 per km ridden by 2025.

    Maxim Romain, Co-Founder and COO, Dott, said: “In 2022 we progressed towards mass adoption of our service, doubling the number of rides whilst continuing to drive down our carbon emissions. We have demonstrated our commitment to sustainability with a major refurbishment programme, fully rebuilding 10,000 e-scooters so far to double their lifespan, eliminating the need to manufacture more vehicles. By focusing on responsible operations we aim to keep generating a positive impact for our teams and the people living in the cities where we operate.”

    The environment and social impact are at the heart of every business decision at Dott. The micromobility company has set out its goals and progress at ridedott.com/sustainability.

  6. Fluctuo reveals latest shared mobility data

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    Source: Fluctuo

    The Q2 Shared Mobility Index reveals that Europe’s shared mobility market continues to grow in terms of fleet size, with ridership remaining stable.

    Fluctuo’s latest report for Q2 2023 examines the data for shared mobility in 33 European cities, across five vehicle types: station-based bikes, dockless bikes, scooters, mopeds and cars. The report can be viewed in full here.

    General trends

    Compared to 2022, the overall shared mobility sector has increased by 7% year-on-year, though ridership saw a slight decrease of -1%.

    A notable trend is a decrease in the number of shared service operators, which is an effect of cities increasingly putting out tenders to limit the numbers of operators in a city. Where a city might once have had five operators deploying scooters, there might now only be two. The number of vehicles available has continued to grow, and cities are finding that fewer operators with more vehicles each can provide a better service.

    Scooters have the largest share of ridership at 42%, though have seen a reduction in growth year-on-year. This dip can be attributed to several factors, including market saturation in some under-regulated markets, and the introduction of stricter regulations in other markets.

    Bikes have seen strong growth, and this is expected to continue. Notable data from individual cities include operators in Paris adding to their bike fleets ahead of the city’s ban on e-scooters which came into force in September; a fresh dockless-bike system in Marseilles operated by Inurba seeing ridership grow by 429%; and Madrid’s BiciMAD bike system remaining popular, thanks to its free-to-use status to the end of 2023.

    A global overview

    Europe continues to be a global leader in shared mobility usage. The North American Bike and Scooter Share Association (NABSA) 2022 report allows direct comparison, demonstrating that Europe’s shared mobility sector leads in terms of fleet size, total trips, trips per vehicle per day (TVD) an per-capita usage. In short, Europe’s shared mobility fleet is used more frequently, and on an individual level, Europeans are taking nearly double the number of trips than North Americans do.

  7. Swifty Scooters awarded grant funding for new electric scooter

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    Swifty Scooters is one of four British companies to be awarded funding totalling £1.1mn to support the research and development of zero emission vehicle technologies. Funded by the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) and supported by Innovate UK, the ‘Production Readiness Competition’ is delivered by the Niche Vehicle Network (NVN) with support from Cenex.

    Despite the UK’s stance regarding permitting electric scooters on UK roads, Swifty have demonstrated the significance of their innovative design in their winning bid.

    “In the current context, it’s vitally important that we enable more people to make clean and low-cost journeys. We’re delighted to finally have the recognition of the importance of our electric scooter design – we are confident that our new vehicle will raise the bar in terms of safety within the industry.” Camilla Iftakhar, Co-founder, Swifty Scooters

    Swifty’s new electric scooters will be among other competition winners, Maeving electric motorcycles, Callum Designs EV and Ariel Motor All-Terrain Vehicle, creating an exciting and diverse display of British innovative companies working towards a Net Zero future.

    “These Production Readiness projects play an important role in developing the UK low volume EV supply chain, creating that not only benefit the projects but also the wider niche vehicle sector.” Scott Thompson, Programme Manager, Niche Vehicle Network.

    An Electric Scooter Optimised for Superior Rider Safety

    The question of scooter safety is probably the main concern within the public sphere. The negative reporting by the press continues to perpetuate people’s safety concerns making it difficult for regulators to make any decisive move. Meanwhile, the industry produces a vast array of differentiated models and designs, and the technology is advancing quickly.

    The new electric scooter that is soon to be unveiled by Swifty is designed for road and cycle-lane riding, and will incorporate the tried and tested Swifty geometry which boasts superior stability and control. It will feature Swifty’s signature 16 inch wheels, front and rear suspension, disk brakes, and a safe battery and charging system will be incorporated.

    “By collaborating with a UK battery specialist PMBL, we aim to utilise the latest battery chemistry LFP (also known as LiFePO4 or Lithium Ferro Phosphate). LFP batteries operate at a lower temperature and are more inherently safe than regular Lithium-ion batteries. They also do not contain cobalt, which we know is a problematic industry.” Jason Iftakhar, Co-founder, Swifty Scooters

    Swifty remain pragmatic in their design approach, advocating the need for regulation in a comprehensive safety standard that build on existing standards of the e-bike industry, plus the need for users to obtain insurance. However, it is unlikely that the UK regulations will permit e-scooters (apart from on private land) by the time the new vehicle enters the market in April 2024. The founders remain positive that UK regulations will be inclusive of these new technologies in the efforts to reach Net Zero.

    Swifty’s new vehicle demonstrates that safety and e-scooters can go hand in hand and are looking to export markets to unveil their design. 

    Best Electric Scooter for Adults to be Unveiled in the USA

    Swifty Scooters will be revealing their new design at the Micromobility Industries Show in San Fransisco in October. Swifty Scooters has pioneered the adult kick-scooter market with their high-quality and uniquely foldable designs since their inception in 2010.

    With a focus on accessible transport for short-distance travel, the new model promises to push the capabilities of the new mode with their high-quality design. Founder Jason Iftakhar has described the new scooter as Swifty’s best electric scooter to date.

    “Riding a safe and stable scooter optimises the rider experience. The thrill of riding electric, standing up is an unbeatable feeling. The handling and control of our design we believe is industry leading. We’re confident our customers will love the feeling as much as we do.” Jason Iftakhar, Co-founder, Swifty Scooters

    They are looking forward to releasing more details to their community in the coming weeks.

  8. My-eScooter launches battery regeneration service for sustainable mobility in Belgium

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    My-eScooter, the Nivelles-based company specializing in the manufacturing and distribution of innovative electric scooters, announces the launch of its brand-new battery regeneration service in Belgium.

    This technological advance marks an important step in the field of sustainable mobility. It demonstrates My-eScooter’s commitment to promoting an efficient transition towards even more environmentally friendly transport solutions.

    Battery life and performance

    My-eScooter is not in the business of shared scooters, but in that of electric mobility serving individuals wishing to buy a scooter for regular use, and businesses.

    “We are aware of the challenges and criticisms faced by electric bikes and scooters. Particularly when it comes to battery life and performance. In addition to the limited number of charge cycles of a battery, we find that the majority of users do not charge their scooter during the winter. As a result, the battery is completely discharged, or even damaged when we want to use it again,” explains Sanjeev D’Souza*, founder of the My-eScooter brand.

    Regenerate up to 80% of initial capacity

    Since its launch in 2017, My-eScooter has always innovated based on the reality on the ground for Belgian users. The replaceable batteries on some of its models are proof of this. My-eScooter is determined to maximize their use while minimizing their environmental impact. The battery regeneration service allows used batteries to be restored by recovering up to 80% of their initial capacity. Bye bye new battery, hello extended lifespan!

    The advantages of battery regeneration:

    • Decreased demand for raw materials
    • Reduced costs associated with battery replacement
    • Contribution to the reduction of electronic waste
    • Recovery of up to 80% of initial capacity
    • 30 to 40% more economical than buying a new battery
    • The battery of your scooter does not leave Europe

    My-eScooter after-sales service is carried out in Belgium. My-eScooter’s battery regeneration service uses cutting-edge technologies to evaluate, restore and test batteries. The service is carried out in Europe to guarantee optimal performance and reduce CO2 emissions.

    Longer-lasting batteries, a cleaner future

    By launching this new battery regeneration service, My-eScooter reaffirms its commitment to sustainable mobility. Companies, their employees, and private users can now benefit from an economical and environmentally friendly alternative to extend the life of their electric scooters.

    “Our new battery regeneration service represents a major step forward for our brand and reinforces our initial commitment. We are ready to offer this service for other brands and other types of solutions linked to sustainable mobility such as electric bicycles or forklifts for example,” says Sanjeev D’Souza, founder of the My-eScooter brand.

  9. Paris ban on rental e-scooters comes into force

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    Source: 42Mag, S. Bornstein

    French capital becomes the first to place a ban on ‘floating’ e-scooters for rental from city streets, following an earlier public vote.

    The ban came into force on September 1st, based on the results of a public consultation in April, in which 89% of voters spoke in favour of the ban. However, the consultation only saw a 7.4% turnout, leading rental e-scooter operators to urge the city’s Mayor, Anne Hidalgo, to seek compromise.

    A spokesperson for e-scooter operator Lime said, “We remain hopeful that we can continue to work with Mayor Hidalgo to pass sensible regulations instead of a ban on e-scooters, and avoid a setback for Paris.”

    Some voters have voiced a preference for stricter regulations, rather than a blanket ban: “I don’t want scooters to do whatever they want on the sidewalks, but banning them is not the priority,” said Pierre Waeckerle, 35.

    Prior to the ban, Paris had a fleet of 15,000 e-scooters, and figures showed that 400,000 people travelled on them in the city in 2022. Complaints about pedestrians being jostled, haphazard parking and other annoyances had prompted the public consultation in April; French Transport Minister Clément Beaune, a possible candidate for mayor in 2026, said the vote was a huge democratic failure.

    Following introduction of e-scooters to Paris in 2018, three operators had been active in the city since 2020 on a three-year contract, under which certain restrictions were in place, including 20km/hour speed limits and designated scooter parking areas.

    The ban relates only to rental e-scooters; privately owned scooters are not affected.

    The head of the road safety agency Securite Routiere, Florence Guillaume, strongly encouraged scooter users to wear helmets, which have been made compulsory in some European cities.

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