Electric Kick Scooter Market

Market Overview

The global electric kick scooter market size was valued at USD 2,017 million in 2021, growing at a CAGR of 12.4%, and is envisioned to reach USD 5,139 million during the forecast period. 

An electric kick scooter, also known as an e-kick scooter or motorized scooter, is a stand-up scooter with an embedded electric motor drive mechanism and battery. Electricity is stored in a rechargeable battery on board, which powers the electric motors. It is categorized as a type of micro-mobility because the motorcyclist stands in the middle. Electric kick scooters are a versatile, adaptable, environmentally friendly, and fashionable mode of transportation. Consumers view them as a suitable alternative to electric bicycles or electric bicycles. Due to their diminutive size, these scooters help alleviate traffic congestion, achieve higher velocity with less effort, and provide health advantages. These factors contribute to the increasing prominence of electric kick scooters worldwide.

The electric kick scooter market growth is anticipated to be driven by factors such as the deployment of kick scooters for shared mobility services, the surge in popularity of electric vehicles, the growing awareness of the environmental benefits of electric kick scooters, and the implementation of favorable government legislation to encourage the use of electric kick scooters. However, high maintenance and manufacturing costs and bans on using e-kick scooters in major cities worldwide inhibit the market's expansion. In addition, a surge in research and development investments for improved battery systems and rapid technological advancements in the e-kick scooter industry is anticipated to create lucrative growth opportunities for the electric kick scooter market share.

Market Dynamics

Global Electric Kick Scooter Market Drivers

Growing Use of Kick Scooters for Shared Ride Services and the Rising Awareness Among Population to Propel Growth

Compared to other electric vehicles utilized for shared transportation services, electric kick scooters can be hyper-localized and used to solve the problem of last-mile connectivity. Moreover, as a way of ride-sharing, these electric kick scooters are compact, simpler to operate, and do not require physical exertion. In addition, several industry leaders have augmented their electric kick scooter sharing services to various regions and parts of the city. In 2017, Bird and Lime, two American companies specializing in electric scooters, introduced dock-less, eclectic kick scooters. In a year, Bird had expanded to 100 cities and reached a valuation of USD 2 billion. In addition, the increased emphasis on eco-friendliness and the demand for efficient, low-cost transportation have contributed to the increased use of electric kick scooters in shared mobility services. As a result, the rollout of electric kick scooters as shared transportation means drives electric kick scooter market expansion.

In addition, the growing concern about the population's carbon and greenhouse gas emissions has dramatically enhanced the adoption of electric vehicles for personal and shared transportation. Similarly, electric kick scooters are a feasible, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly option for commuting, creating promising growth opportunities. Moreover, as regulatory authorities worldwide focus on developing smart cities, electric transportation options like e-kick scooters are anticipated to grow in popularity among millennials. Furthermore, electric kick scooters are powered by batteries, so they do not directly produce carbon or greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, the increasing popularity of electric vehicles, the growing awareness of the environmental benefits of electric kick scooters, and the demand for efficient and inexpensive transportation are propelling the development of the electric kick scooters market.

Global Electric Kick Scooter Market Restraints

High Maintenance and Manufacturing Expenses to Restrict Market Growth

E-kick scooters are more expensive than conventional bicycles, conventional scooters, and motorcycles due to the price of the battery and technology. Therefore, consumers find the performance of conventional scooters and motorcycles superior for the same or less cost. Besides, using a motor's drive mechanism incurs the highest manufacturing costs, inhibiting market growth. In addition, the high cost of battery pack replacement due to the short life of the batteries and the high cost of maintaining electric components raises the overall cost of maintaining electric kick scooters. Consequently, the high maintenance and manufacturing costs of e-kick scooters are significant factors restraining market growth.

Global Electric Kick Scooter Market Opportunities

The Increasing Research and Development in Technologies to Boost Market Opportunities

Continuous R&D and advancements in battery technology have increased the storage capacity and decreased the overall cost of lithium-ion batteries, making it an attractive option for portable, low-cost devices like electric kick scooters. In addition, the ongoing development of technologically advanced battery technologies, such as graphene and zinc-manganese oxide batteries, improves the range of electric vehicles. It also reduces their overall weight, charging time, and carbon footprints, which is anticipated to offer lucrative growth opportunities for the affordable e-kick scooter market.

Regional Analysis

The region-wise segmentation of the global electric kick scooter includes North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

Europe and Asia-Pacific Will Dominate the Regional Market

Europe will have most of the market share during the forecast period growing at a CAGR of 10.19%. Europe is witnessing an increase in the popularity of electric kick scooters, as they are the desired mode of transportation and leisure. European consumers view electric kick scooters as more of a way of life. In countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and the Netherlands, however, infrastructure has been developed that allows the public to use electric scooters without being impeded by heavy vehicle traffic.

Moreover, as environmental concerns increase, the European government and environmental organizations are enforcing stringent emission standards and laws, which increases the demand for electric bikes and electric scooters in Europe. For instance, the European Union (EU) aims to achieve zero percent greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Thereby, such factors are anticipated to drive market expansion in the region.

Asia-Pacific will hold the second-largest market share of USD 1,654 million, growing at a CAGR of 12.5%. Due to the e-kick scooter's lightweight, eco-friendly nature, low power requirements, and cost-effectiveness, its popularity in Asia-Pacific has increased compared to traditional modes of transportation. Asia-Pacific has amassed a sizeable share of the electric kick scooter market due to the widespread adoption of these vehicles in China and Japan, both of which are densely populated cities. Electric kick scooters are a cost-effective means of transportation in certain heavily populated cities. China is a leading manufacturer and exporter of electric kick bikes.

In addition, an increase in government initiatives for eco-friendly vehicles and bikes, as well as the development of related infrastructure in countries such as India, Australia, and Vietnam, are expected to augment the electric kick scooter market growth in Asia-Pacific. For example, in November 2020, the Indian government announced plans to install at least one e-charging kiosk at approximately 69,000 gas stations across the nation to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.

LAMEA will display a significant growth rate during the forecast period. Increased concerns regarding the emission of harmful pollutants drive the deployment of light electric mobility like electric kick scooters in developing countries in the LAMEA region, which in turn drives the growth of the electric kick scooter market in the region. In addition, governments of various nations are taking new measures to enhance the acceptance of electric mobility for transportation, which is anticipated to significantly contribute to the expansion of the electric vehicle market in LAMEA.

Segmental Analysis

The global electric kick scooter market is bifurcated based on battery type, voltage, and region.

By Battery Type Analysis

Based on battery type, the fragments include sealed lead-acid (SLA), lithium-ion (Li-ion), and others.

The lithium-ion (Li-ion) segment is estimated to hold the largest share during the forecast period and grow at a CAGR of 12.7%. A lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery is a rechargeable battery that uses lithium ions as the primary electrochemical component. The primary application of lithium-ion batteries is in electric vehicles such as electric scooters, electric skateboards, electric kick scooters, and electric motorcycles. The lithium in these batteries combines varying amounts of phosphate, manganese, nickel, iron, and cobalt.

In recent years, the trend of lithium-ion batteries has increased exponentially due to their lightweight, extensive reliability, and sharp price decline. Moreover, the effectiveness and ecological advantages of Li-Ion batteries over sealed lead acid batteries are anticipated to provide an upper hand to Li-ion batteries. In addition, continuous advancements in battery technology, extended battery emission cycles, high current density, and a long usable lifespan have made them a popular option for mobile, low-cost devices like kick scooters. In addition, the efforts of electric scooter manufacturers to create lightweight electric kick scooters with a faster charging time and a longer battery lifecycle have led to an increase in the use of lithium-ion batteries.

The sealed lead-acid battery is a type of lead-acid battery in which the sulfuric acid electrolyte has coagulated, thereby preventing the battery from leaking. Due to reduced self-discharge rates, sealed lead-acid (SLA) batteries have three times greater charge retention than conventional batteries. In addition, thermal runaway is not a concern in SLA, so over-temperature detection systems are not needed, resulting in a low acquisition cost.

By Battery Voltage Analysis

Based on voltage, the fragments include less than 25V, 25V to 50V, and more than 50V.

The segment of 25V to 50V is expected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period and grow at a CAGR of 12%. Considering the 25V to 50V battery range, most legal electric kick scooter components utilize a 36V battery, while the more powerful motors utilize a 48V battery. Manufacturers of electric kick scooters specify these because their power-to-cost ratio is favorable. The deployment of 25V to 50V batteries in electric kick scooters is influenced mainly by developing the 36-volt and 48-volt battery systems. This new technologically advanced battery features reduced emissions and even enhanced acceleration. Moreover, the 48-volt battery system provides four times the power of a 12-volt battery. In addition, manufacturers are introducing these batteries due to their greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness, driving market expansion.

The segment of 50V will hold the second-largest share. 52V, 60V, and 72V batteries are utilized most frequently for electric kick scooters in the segment above 50V. In addition, numerous high-performance electric kick scooters also utilize 110V and 120V batteries. Batteries with more than 50V are considerably more expensive than those with less than 50V.

The advancing need for high-performance and long-running electric kick scooters is among the primary factors driving the demand for batteries with a voltage greater than 50V. In addition, the increase in demand for off-road and leisure electric kick scooters is driving the growth of the market for products with more than 50V. In addition, technological developments in design, performance, and weight, as well as battery management systems, are accelerating the adoption of batteries with voltages greater than 50V in electric kick scooters.

Recent Developments

• In 2022, GOVECS AG successfully launched its newest scooter model, GOVECS FLEX DELIVERY, in the United States of America.  
• In 2022, Ninebot (Segway Inc.) announced its latest innovation to meet the evolving demands of modern transportation with the release of the Segway GT-series and P-series along with the E110A.