An e-scooter or electric kick scooter is an electric motorized scooter – a stand-up scooter powered by an electric hub motor in its front and/or rear wheel. It is generally designed with a large center deck on which the rider stands.
They are classified as a form of micromobility; e-scooters are included in scooter-sharing systems that use apps to allow users to rent them by the minute. Such systems are now present in major and mid-sized cities all over the world.
E-scooters usually have two wheels between in diameter, connected by a platform on which the rider stands, with a handlebar for support and steering.
There are three types of tires:
It is propelled by an electric motor, which makes gears unnecessary. It may support energy recovery by regenerative braking.
Range and speed vary considerably according to model. One reference shows ranges of , and maximum speeds from .
Transport mode shift from car to shared e-scooter ranges from 8% in France to 50% in Santa Monica, United-States.
In Europe, before 2024, the majority of crashes did not involve another vehicle, while 80% of e-scooter rider deaths and 50% of trauma patients’ injuries resulted from crashes involving a heavier motor vehicle.
In France, between 2019 and 2022, a 185% increase in e-scooter riders was admitted to trauma centres.
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