The Future of Electric Scooters: Trends and Innovations

Electric scooters have enormous development potential. This boom is due to advanced technology and innovation, increasing acceptance of electric scooter-sharing services, rigorous environmental regulations, and expanding government incentives and subsidy programs such as sales tax exemption and consumer rebates on the purchase of electric scooters. There are many reasons for the popularity of electric scooters and the traction it has garnered. There is a substantial infrastructure basis for electric scooters. Electric scooters don’t require to invest billions of dollars in massive interchanges, giving up more public land for parking, or contributing to climate change. So, from aesthetics to motors, trends to governance, today we will dive into trends and innovations in electric scooters that are not only expected but also inevitable.

- The impact of electric scooters

- The salient trends and innovations to watch for

      1. Increased electric scooter-sharing programs

      2. R&D in lightweight lithium batteries for electric scooters
      3. More subsidy programs and government incentives

      4. Technological advancement in electric scooters

      5. Service industry adopting electric scooters

      6. Swappable batteries

      7. New pricing plans

- Concluding thoughts

One of the primary driving forces is sustainability. Electric scooters emit no hazardous gases. So, riding an eco-friendly electric scooter doesn’t have air pollution concerns. Considered a "big win for the climate," Sightline, a highly respected think organization, revealed their findings. We invite you to read our sustainability statement to understand more about our philosophy and approach and how SmooSat makes the world more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Speaking of the future, let us dive into the trends and innovations we are looking forward to and get glimpses of the world of eco-friendly electric scooters. We have covered the impact of electric scooters in detail in our blog “5 Surprising Benefits of Lightweight Electric Scooters for Adults”. Check it out if it interests you.

Electric scooters represent a substantial change, whether used for personal or communal transportation. Even if they first appeared to be a toy, they are now shaping the future of cities, human behavior, and technology. A new level of personal mobility that sci-fi writers once imagined is becoming a reality.

1. Increased electric scooter-sharing programs

Numerous cities worldwide have trouble with traffic jams, rising gasoline costs, and declining air quality. Many nations' long-term energy security is in jeopardy due to increasing fuel use, making them more vulnerable to world oil supply changes. Electric scooter-sharing services significantly reduce traffic congestion, helping nations manage environmental issues and energy dependence. Global market trends for sharing e-scooters are booming. The main ride-sharing businesses in the US, Uber, and Lyft, introduced their electric scooter rental services in 2018. Consumers’ purchasing patterns have also changed, indicating a greater preference for a scooter sharing over scooter ownership. Systems for renting out electric scooters combine affordability with high-end scooters in a complex multimodal network. In research from Arizona State University, Rebecca Sanders and her team found a strong preference for electric scooters over cars, bikes, and walking. National Association for City Transportation Officials (NACTO) also presented that in the US, more than half of the micro-mobility trips in 2021 were accounted for by electric scooters after the pandemic.

2. R&D in lightweight lithium batteries for electric scooters

Electric scooters powered by lithium batteries are the latest innovation in the market. We at SmooSat have embraced the future and use this technology in our line of electric scooters for adults (SmooSat SA3, SA3 Prime, and MAX) and kids (SmooSat E9, E9 Pro, and the E9 Apex). As a proof of concept for the future, Gogoro Inc. devised a prototype for such a technology. It does not require the user to recharge their batteries. Instead, when a user needs a charged battery, a network of battery stations is employed to change the uncharged ones. As a result of these charging stations being a part of the energy grid, cities can use energy more effectively. Of course, we need to remember that governmental initiative and cooperation are imperative for this kind of technology to succeed. 

3. More subsidy programs and government incentives

Governments now offer financial incentives, including consumer subsidies and sales tax exemptions， for electric scooters purchase, and intend to reduce some incentives gradually over the following years. In the last five to ten years, the adoption of electric scooters has increased significantly, influenced by national energy policies and environmental standards. Governments are simultaneously providing more funding for the development of infrastructure for charging. For instance, the US federal government and certain states have made a tax credit available for electric scooters. This phenomenon is not only exclusive to the United States The Taiwanese government is eliminating the product tax and giving buyers of electric scooters subsidies. Currently, the government pays NT$7,000 (US$ 233) for a portable electric scooter. To offer financial incentives for 86 various models of electric two-wheelers, India has also created its FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacture of Electric Vehicles) initiative.

4. Technological advancement in electric scooters

Some of the recently introduced technologies have the potential to lead to further advancements in the market for electric scooters. Everyone's mouths dropped when one company released an app for iOS and Android devices in 2017. We provide a comprehensive mobile app with precise monitoring and management for our flagship, the SmooSat MAX. The next step will be to allow scooter firmware upgrades via an app over their wireless connection. By offering a variety of additional features that make it easier for riders to acquire knowledge about their scooter, the next-generation apps will elevate the most advanced connected scooter to an even higher level. Another company unveiled the first side-mounted electric scooter in a vintage urban style. The preeminent specialist in industrial design in Austria, KISKA, created the design. Hence, the world of electric scooters also incorporates luxury and aesthetics.

5. Service industry adopting electric scooters

The use of electric scooters for delivery reasons in the service sector is growing. They are perfect for delivery services, such as those provided by fast food restaurants and the e-commerce industry, as they are straightforward, compact, and intelligent. By using less expensive forms of transportation, the food and beverage virtual retail sector is reducing costs and expanding the market for electric scooters.

6. Swappable batteries

If users could swap batteries in electric scooters, it would indicate that users can fully charge the scooter for a meager price and at an extraordinarily high speed. Though at a prototype state, there are two approaches to implementing this. Originally, Gogoro Inc. created moped prototypes with removable batteries and charging stations the size of a small building. Second, full-time staff from Telepod, a different firm, drive around the city replacing scooter batteries. While Telepod has a reduced danger of battery theft, the Gogoro model nearly infinitely extends the range of a scooter. Although they are both in their infancy, it offers a good look at the future.

7. New pricing plans

Brands often market electric scooters as a substitute for automobiles and public transit; it's easy to picture someone utilizing scooters every day of the week. For such individuals, sharing or renting does not make sense. Therefore, it makes sense for versatile pricing plans to be in place, like auto financing. Electric scooter companies are also looking into new pricing structures. However, without city administrations' assistance, pricing strategies will be impossible to develop in a shared setting. The good news is, in the US, the government has been amiable to electric scooters to date. Moreover, each brand can distinguish itself through pricing, whether it offers monthly memberships or range-based subscriptions.

The electric scooter market is vibrant and constantly evolving. Industry-leading brands like SmooSat that excel at innovation, change, and adaptation are successful. To keep this status, we need to remain sensitive to current developments. We believe in the markets for compact, eco-friendly, and foldable scooters while offering all the fantastic potential for electric scooters of the future. Therefore, we focus our engineering prowess on that goal which is present in our line of electric scooters.

Whether you are new to electric scooters or not, grasping the trends affecting the development process is necessary and intriguing. These trends and innovations will lead the market to generate long-term decisions that will define the way you ride. Check out our in-depth guide to electric scooters for a view into the future and to find the best one. We've already adopted many futuristic features in our line of offerings.