Summary of our market study

In the UK, awareness of e-scooters is high, with 90% awareness among the public and 53% claiming some level of knowledge. Users are predominantly male (71%) and under 35 years old (74%). Safety concerns are prominent, with 53% mentioning safety-related disadvantages, yet 69% see benefits like reduced pollution. Only 9% are likely to buy, and 15% to rent an e-scooter. The UK market has 18,000 e-scooters for hire across 51 English towns and cities, the market nearly doubled from 3,099 units in December 2020 to around 5,700 by February 2021.

Globally, the electric scooter market was valued at USD 19.6 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.3% to USD 29.9 billion by 2028, with the Asia Pacific dominating. The COVID-19 pandemic influenced usage, with 58% at Wave 1 more likely to rent due to safety concerns about public transport, but as restrictions eased, usage patterns shifted with some returning to pre-pandemic transport choices.

Evolving E-Scooter Landscape in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has witnessed a burgeoning interest in e-scooters, particularly highlighted by a series of trials and surveys analyzing the public's attitude towards these electric vehicles. As e-scooters emerge as a popular mode of transportation, there is an inclination towards understanding the demographics of users, reasons for use, and the perception of their advantages and disadvantages. Around half of the UK population claims to have some knowledge of e-scooters, with awareness being notably higher among men, individuals under the age of 55, urban dwellers, and those from higher social grades.

In contrast to the evenly spread percentage representation of ethnic minorities among users and the general adult population, there is a skew toward younger users, where the 16 to 34 age group constitutes about three-quarters of e-scooter users. Interestingly, individuals with lower incomes were more likely to be regular users, bringing to light economic considerations in transport choices. E-scooters are primarily used outside of traditional rush hours, with use distributed throughout the day and into the evening. It is reported that more than half of the respondents would use an e-scooter as their sole mode of transport to reach their destination. Most people use e-scooters with a specific destination in mind, and half also find them enjoyable for recreation.

Despite the array of perceived advantages like environmental benefits, speed, and convenience, there is a significant portion of the population that recognizes potential drawbacks, predominantly concerns around safety for both riders and pedestrians. The likelihood of individuals purchasing or hiring an e-scooter is modest, hovering around 9 percent for purchasing and about 15 percent for hiring, with men and urban residents displaying a slightly higher propensity towards both acquiring and renting e-scooters. The UK market for shared e-scooters has seen significant growth, nearly doubling from the start of December 2020 to February 2021, with an estimated number of vehicles available for hire reaching between 5,000 and 6,000. These vehicles are operated by around 12 companies across numerous areas in England, with the largest share being overseen by market players like Voi. The pandemic has dynamically influenced usage patterns and perceptions.

Dominant Forces in the UK's E-Scooter Rental Landscape

Navigating through the lanes and bylanes of England's towns and cities, one can witness a growing fleet of electric scooters, marking the rapid expansion of a new and eco-friendly mode of transportation. In the forefront of this burgeoning industry are 12 pioneering companies that have positioned themselves strategically across 51 English locales. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland remain spectators, not yet participating in the trial programs.

One company that stands out is Voi, brandishing its bright and easily recognizable coral-hued e-scooters. As the second-largest provider, Voi has carved a significant niche in the market, enticing riders with the promise of a fun, fast, and carbon-footprint-reducing journey, and it's not alone in the race. Together, these companies have amassed a staggering arsenal of approximately 18,000 e-scooters, all readily accessible for short-term hire. Their collective presence signifies a robust commitment to altering the urban transit scene, although it does highlight the nascent state of the market – only two trials have concluded thus far. Each company is vying to become the go-to choice for the environmentally conscious and tech-savvy commuter, looking to skirt around congested streets and reduce their ecological impact. The competition among these 12 market players has sparked a spectrum of options for users, with each brand aiming to offer the most reliable, user-friendly, and accessible service.

Through mobile apps and strategically placed docking stations, access to these e-scooters has never been easier, leading to a small but defining shift in the way residents and visitors alike are experiencing city travel. As regulations evolve and e-scooter usage becomes an ingrained feature of urban mobility, these main players in the market are not just service providers but pioneers of a transport revolution, each with a shared vision of greener, more efficient, and convenient urban travel. The likes of Voi and its contenders are not merely moving people - they're propelling cities towards a more sustainable future.

the market for electric scooters - UK

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Summary and extracts

1 Market overview

1.1 Definition and presentation *

An electric scooter is considered a gait throttle (not an actual means of transportation) and consists of a platform on which to rest one's feet, two wheels with suspension, a T-shaped handlebar with a throttle and possibly a hand brake.

This market can be segmented according to the type of scooter user, there are:

-Users who own a scooter;

-Users who use self-service rental solutions.

The global electric scooter market was valued at $19.6 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach a value of $29.9 billion by 2028.

The Department for Transport (DfT) is coordinating regulated trials that allow people in certain areas of England to rent an e-scooter. There are around 18,000 electric scooters available for short-term hire in the UK – 12 companies are operating in 51 towns and cities, all in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland did not join the trial programme.The UK’s shared e-scooter market has nearly doubled in size since December 2020.

2 Demand analysis

3 Market structure

4 Offer analysis

5 Regulation

6 Positioning of players

List of charts presented in this market study

Likelihood of buying an e-scooter
Likelihood of hiring an e-scooter

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Latest news

Tier-Dott merger: Necessity for e-scooter and bike rivals - 11/01/2024

Tier and Dott have combined sales of 250 million euros.
Together, the companies carry out over 125 million journeys a year in more than 20 countries.
Dott operates 50,000 shared vehicles and is present in 8 countries.
Both companies have accumulated 55 million operating losses in 2023.
Tier has raised over 660 million euros, notably from the UAE fund Mubadala.
Dott raised 210 million euros, notably from the Belgian Sofina.
The new group created by the merger of Dott and Tier receives a reinvestment of 60 million euros in equity by its shareholders.
The valuation of the merged entity is 150 million euros, down significantly from Tier's $2 billion valuation two years ago.
American company Lime posted adjusted Ebitda of $27 million on sales of $250 million in the first half of 2023, up 45%.

Xiaomi prepares its grand entrance into the automotive world - 22/11/2023

Xiaomi will launch its first electric vehicle model early next year.
The vehicle will be a five-seater sedan.
The car, dubbed "SU7", will be powered by batteries from CATL or BYD. Xiaomi has partnered with several manufacturers, including BAIC.
The vehicle could be manufactured in a new Xiaomi factory on the outskirts of Beijing, which would have an initial annual production capacity of 150,000 units.
Huawei, seeking to diversify its activities, has also entered the automotive sector.

15.000 Parisian scooters on the move - 02/08/2023

15,000 scooters operated in Paris by Dott, Lime and Tier Mobility.
Lime plans to transfer its fleet to Lille, Copenhagen, London or Germany, and to maintain a fleet of 10,000 bikes in Paris.
Dott has withdrawn 5,000 scooters from Paris at a rate of 500 a week, which will be sent to Bordeaux, Belgium or Tel Aviv.
Tier Mobility will transfer a third of its fleet to 80 communes in the Île-de-France region, while the rest will be sent to Germany or Poland.
Paris is the first European capital to completely ban self-service scooters.

Xiaomi: 18.9% drop in sales - 24/05/2023

Telephony market decline in China in Q1 2023: 11% (according to Canalys)

Electric scooters: the government sets new rules - 31/03/2023

2.5 million French fans of electric scooters.
The minimum age for driving an electric scooter will be raised from 12 to 14.
Fines for riding two-up on a scooter or on prohibited lanes will rise from 35 to 135 euros.
A micro-mobility observatory will be set up to collect accident figures and identify the causes.
Operators will be required to restrict speed, register their machines, systematically check the age of users, report infringements and respect parking restrictions.

Trottinettes Dott et Tier reconducted in Lyon | Trottinettes Dott et Tier à Lyon - 16/03/2023

In Lyon, the two companies have

- 4,000 self-service vehicles
- 271 parking areas
- Machine life extended to 7 years

Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Lime Neutron

Voi mobility

Zipp

Beryl

Ginger

Dott

Xiaomi

Pure Electric

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