E-Scooter Sharing Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Free-Floating, Station-Bound), By Distribution Channel (Online, Offline), By Region (Europe, Asia Pacific)- Global Industry Analysis, Share, Growth, Regional Outlook and Forecasts, 2024-2033

The global e-scooter sharing market size was exhibited at USD 925.50 million in 2023 and is projected to hit around USD 5,730.45 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 20.0% during the forecast period of 2024 to 2033.

Key Takeaways:

• Europe accounted for a revenue share of around 65% in 2023.
• The free-floating segment accounted for the largest revenue share of around 95% in 2023.
• The offline segment accounted for a revenue share of around 5% in 2023.

E-Scooter Sharing Market: Overview 

The global market for e-scooter sharing has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years, driven by technological advancements, changing consumer preferences, and the growing need for sustainable urban transportation solutions. This article provides an insightful overview of the e-scooter sharing market, highlighting key trends, market drivers, challenges, and opportunities shaping its landscape.

E-Scooter Sharing Market Growth

The growth of the e-scooter sharing market is propelled by various factors. Firstly, the increasing emphasis on environmental sustainability is driving demand for eco-friendly transportation solutions like e-scooter sharing, as consumers seek alternatives to traditional modes of commuting to reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, rapid urbanization and escalating traffic congestion in cities are compelling commuters to explore more efficient transportation options, contributing to the expansion of e-scooter sharing services. Moreover, the cost-effectiveness of e-scooter sharing compared to car ownership and other forms of transportation appeals to budget-conscious consumers, further fueling market growth. Furthermore, the convenience and flexibility offered by e-scooter sharing services as a first-mile/last-mile connectivity solution align with changing consumer preferences, particularly among tech-savvy Millennials and Gen Z, driving adoption rates.

E-Scooter Sharing Market Report Scope

E-Scooter Sharing Market Dynamics

• Technological Advancements:

The e-scooter sharing market is witnessing rapid advancements in technology, particularly in areas such as IoT sensors, GPS tracking, and mobile applications. These technological innovations are enhancing user experience, improving fleet management efficiency, and ensuring safety. IoT sensors enable real-time monitoring of e-scooter performance and maintenance needs, while GPS tracking facilitates precise location tracking and geofencing to regulate scooter usage areas. Mobile applications provide users with convenient access to e-scooter rental services, allowing for seamless booking, payment, and navigation. 

• Regulatory Environment:

The regulatory environment plays a crucial role in shaping the growth trajectory of the e-scooter sharing market. Governments and local authorities are increasingly implementing regulations and guidelines to address safety concerns, parking management, and infrastructure requirements associated with e-scooter sharing services. While regulatory frameworks vary across regions, they often aim to strike a balance between promoting innovation and ensuring public safety and urban mobility. Collaborative efforts between e-scooter sharing operators, policymakers, and city planners are essential to establish clear regulatory guidelines that support the sustainable growth of the market while addressing community needs and concerns. 

E-Scooter Sharing Market Restraint

• Safety Concerns:

One of the primary restraints facing the e-scooter sharing market is the persistent issue of safety concerns. Despite their popularity, e-scooters have been associated with a rising number of accidents and injuries, both for riders and pedestrians. Factors contributing to safety risks include inexperienced riders, lack of proper infrastructure such as dedicated lanes, and challenges in enforcing safety regulations. Moreover, the compact and agile nature of e-scooters can pose hazards when navigating congested urban environments. As a result, safety concerns have prompted regulatory scrutiny and public backlash in some regions, leading to restrictions or even bans on e-scooter sharing services. 

• Regulatory Uncertainty:

Another significant restraint affecting the e-scooter sharing market is regulatory uncertainty and fragmentation. The rapid proliferation of e-scooter sharing services has outpaced the development of clear regulatory frameworks in many regions, leading to inconsistencies and ambiguity in rules governing e-scooter operations. This regulatory uncertainty creates challenges for e-scooter sharing operators, including compliance risks, operational limitations, and barriers to market entry. Additionally, varying regulations across different cities and countries further complicate expansion efforts and increase compliance costs for market players.

E-Scooter Sharing Market Opportunity

• Expansion into Emerging Markets:

One of the most promising opportunities for e-scooter sharing operators is the expansion into emerging markets. Emerging economies, characterized by rapid urbanization, growing populations, and increasing congestion, present fertile ground for the adoption of e-scooter sharing services. These markets often face challenges related to inadequate public transportation infrastructure and limited access to affordable mobility options, creating opportunities for e-scooter sharing operators to fill transportation gaps and address unmet consumer needs. By strategically entering emerging markets, e-scooter sharing companies can tap into new revenue streams, gain market share, and establish themselves as key players in the global urban mobility landscape.

• Integration with Multimodal Transportation Systems:

Another significant opportunity for the e-scooter sharing market lies in the integration with multimodal transportation systems. As cities increasingly embrace the concept of seamless and interconnected mobility, there is growing demand for integrated transportation solutions that combine various modes of transportation, such as e-scooters, bikes, public transit, and ridesharing services. E-scooter sharing operators can capitalize on this trend by collaborating with public transit agencies, ridesharing companies, and other mobility providers to offer integrated mobility solutions that enhance convenience, flexibility, and accessibility for commuters. By integrating e-scooter sharing services into existing transportation networks, operators can unlock new user segments, improve first-mile/last-mile connectivity, and promote sustainable urban mobility.

E-Scooter Sharing Market Challenges

• Safety Concerns:

Perhaps one of the most prominent challenges confronting the e-scooter sharing market is the issue of safety. E-scooters have been associated with a rising number of accidents and injuries, both to riders and pedestrians. Factors contributing to safety risks include inexperienced riders, inadequate rider education, lack of proper infrastructure such as designated lanes, and challenges in enforcing safety regulations. Additionally, the compact and agile nature of e-scooters can pose hazards when navigating congested urban environments. Safety concerns have prompted regulatory scrutiny and public backlash in some regions, leading to restrictions or even bans on e-scooter sharing services. 

• Regulatory Uncertainty:

Another significant challenge facing the e-scooter sharing market is regulatory uncertainty and fragmentation. The rapid growth of e-scooter sharing services has outpaced the development of clear regulatory frameworks in many regions, resulting in inconsistencies and ambiguity in rules governing e-scooter operations. This regulatory uncertainty creates challenges for e-scooter sharing operators, including compliance risks, operational limitations, and barriers to market entry. Additionally, varying regulations across different cities and countries further complicate expansion efforts and increase compliance costs for market players.  

Segments Insights:

COVID-19 Insights

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic took a severe toll on the market. The number of e-scooter sharing schemes being operated in different parts of the world declined during 2019 and 2020 as an immediate effect of the lockdowns and restrictions on the movement of people imposed by various governments as part of the efforts to arrest the spread of coronavirus. Nevertheless, the market is poised for significant growth over the forecast in line with the shift in consumer behavior reflected in the increase in the distance traveled and the duration of the ride.

Type Insights

The free-floating segment accounted for the largest revenue share of around 95% in 2023. The fact that most providers offer dockless, free-floating e-scooter sharing services allowed the segment to dominate the market. This type of sharing does not require riders to pick up and return e-scooters to specific locations. Instead, riders can park e-scooters on the sidewalks or at the spots allowed by civic authorities. Hence, daily commuters find the dockless, free-floating e-scooter sharing systems highly convenient for short transit routes in the most congested areas of metro cities.

The station-bound segment is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 11.1% from 2022 to 2028. The growth of the segment can be attributed to the continued rollout of station-bound e-scooter sharing services in some Asian and South American countries. Benefits associated with station-bound e-scooter sharing systems include a central charging station, face-to-face assistance from staff, efficient maintenance, and convenient billing. Customers preferring classic systems typically prefer station-bound e-scooter sharing services.

Distribution Channel Insights

The offline segment accounted for a revenue share of around 5% in 2023. The offline channel envisages riders booking an e-scooter sharing ride directly at the station or via telephone call with the local provider. The offline segment is poised for healthy growth, growing at a CAGR of 12.5% over the forecast period. The growing interest in shared micro-mobility, including e-scooter sharing, and the strong preference for the conventional, offline channel, particularly among the elderly commuters, are expected to play a vital role in driving the growth of the segment. 

The online segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 19.0% from 2024 to 2033. The growth of the segment can be attributed to the continued rollout of dockless, free-floating e-scooter sharing systems across the world. The proliferation of smartphones and the unabated rollout of high-speed data networks are also expected to contribute to the growth of the segment. A free-floating system envisages booking a ride through a dedicated app installed on smartphones or other handheld devices. The system is usually accessible within the service provider’s area of operation.

Regional Insights

Europe accounted for a revenue share of around 65% in 2023. The high revenue share of the regional market can be attributed largely to the strong presence of key market players and high levels of consumer awareness about e-scooter sharing services. A large proportion of the electric scooter fleet of the e-scooter sharing companies is deployed in European cities, such as Paris, France; Berlin, Germany; and Madrid, Spain. Electric scooter ridership in these cities is also very high. At the same time, several governments across Europe are investing aggressively in rolling out e-scooter sharing services.

Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at a CAGR of 22.9% from 2024 to 2033. The growth of the regional market can be attributed to the increasing internet penetration, changing commuter behavior, and the rising awareness about e-scooter sharing services along with the foray of the key market players and the emergence of local market players in the regional market. Governments in Asia Pacific are also increasingly investing in rolling out e-scooter sharing services. For instance, in May 2023, an e-scooter sharing program was launched in Taipei, Taiwan to support and promote green transport.

Some of the prominent players in the E-scooter sharing market include:

• Neutron Holdings, Inc
• Cityscoot
• Cooltra Motosharing, S.L.U
• Bird Global Inc.
• Vogo Automotive Pvt. Ltd.
• GoTo Global Mobility Ltd.
• Lyft Inc.
• VOI Technology

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For this study, Nova one advisor, Inc. has segmented the global e-scooter sharing market.

Type

• Free-Floating
• Station-Bound

Distribution Channel

• Online
• Offline

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa (MEA)