In terms of convenient transportation options for the last mile, society seems to have found a viable alternative. Electric bicycles, bicycles, and shared bicycles are well known and widely used. This article describes another alternative-electric scooters.
The rise of shared mobile companies has received a lot of praise worldwide in the past few years, including domestic companies such as Ofo and Mobike, the United States Citi Bike and Jump Bikes, although in 2018 domestic shared mobile companies have reported Deposit refunds, bankruptcy and other negative news, but this does not prevent the rise of g-share mobile companies worldwide. It is undeniable that the shared mobile company provides users with a convenient choice for the last mile of transportation. From 2018 to 2019, shared mobile companies have successively raised funds from venture capital companies or been acquired, which also illustrates the needs of consumers and investors for last-mile transportation solutions. In 2018, with the emergence of shared electric scooters (referred to as electric scooters) pioneered by Lime and Bird in the United States, this trend of micro-mobility has been rejuvenated in the United States. Electric scooters quickly found a strong product market fit. Bird and Lime became the fastest US companies to reach a billion-dollar valuation in history. Both companies achieved this milestone within a year of their establishment. In addition, other electric scooter companies from all over the world - Skip, Spin, Scoot, PopScoot, Beam, TierMobility, Wind Mobility, VoiTechnology, Vogo, Dott and Flash have recently announced large-scale capital raising. In Europe alone, from the beginning of 2018 to 2019, five electric vehicle companies have appeared and raised more than $150 million in funding. However, the negative news that the electric scooter was eventually discarded into the ocean, crowded sidewalks, stolen, causing injuries and experiencing fierce competition also suggested that the electric scooter is not the ultimate choice for mini-motor vehicles (shared bicycles also face the same problem). Although positive funding news and consumer feedback often appear in the news, there are still many questions about the feasibility of electric scooters as a long-term micro-mobile solution.
1. Does the city need to share mobile
Large cities around the world are facing congestion and pollution caused by rapid urbanization, which is exacerbating its impasse and putting severe pressure on public transportation systems. 46% of car traffic in the United States is caused by cars traveling less than 4 kilometers, and micro-mobility solutions can help alleviate the last mile of travel problems. Data from INRIX shows that in 2018, the traffic congestion time for working people in the United States was 42 hours.
2. Whether electric scooters become a feasible solution
Most cities agree on electric scooters, electric bicycles and bicycles, which can effectively relieve traffic congestion, especially during peak hours. The main issues with miniature mobile vehicles, especially electric scooters, are safety, and whether the current infrastructure of the city can support the influx of these vehicles.
Most large micro-mobile companies have been working with cities to solve these problems, including the use of electronic geographic areas to prevent users from riding in unsafe areas or parking in areas where the city does not want them to park (this can also be used to prevent people from riding in On the sidewalk), foreign electric scooter companies require users to be at least 18 years old and scan for a valid driving license before opening an account.
In addition, micro-mobile companies can help cities plan bus routes and track vehicles in real time. In the United States, municipal traffic data companies such as Remix and Swiftly are developing a new generation of intelligent dashboards for transportation authorities to track and analyze all micro-mobile vehicles across platforms to understand the problems that occur during the use of vehicles and are given The time is concentrated. Through these recorded data, it is found that for most cities, their safety and standardization cannot be effectively guaranteed. But most cities believe that the advantages of micro-mobile companies outweigh the disadvantages, and through cooperation and smart supervision, the possibility of cities becoming more open will gradually increase.
3. Whether people are willing to accept electric scooters
Electric bikes and pedal bikes are the most popular last-mile transportation methods. However, if you have been to Santa Monica or San Diego in the United States on a sunny day, you will see hundreds of locals and tourists scrambling to find any open electric scooters before using nearby shared bicycles. Data from Lime shows that the registered users of electric scooters reach 1 million and 6 million faster than shared bicycles, which also illustrates the market adaptability of electric scooters.
In addition, 30% of users reported that electric scooters replaced the ride on their most recent trip, indicating that micro-mobility solutions can have a positive impact on reducing congestion.
The demand for electric scooters is not unique to the United States. Tier Mobility, Wind Mobility, Voi Technology, Dott and Flash are all European electric scooter startups that have raised more than $150 million in the past few months alone. Part of the reason they can raise such a large amount of money is because Lime and Bird have also succeeded in European cities such as Paris, Madrid, London and Vienna.
4. Safety of electric scooters
According to data from Crunchbase, there are an increase in accidents with electric scooters compared to shared bicycles, but the data also show that most accidents are caused by improper use by users, such as when an electric scooter is used by multiple people or when riding a bicycle. Cell phone. In order to solve this problem, the electric scooter company has attached relevant safety videos on the website. When users register for the company’s application for the first time, there will also be relevant safety guidance tutorials, and there will be safety instructions on each electronic scooter. . Most people are optimistic about the future of electric scooters, especially considering that they have only been around for a year.
5. The problem of theft and vandalism of shared mobile tools
Theft and vandalism are the main problems facing micro mobile companies. So far, most of the work to prevent theft and vandalism has come from innovative monitoring systems and areas that anticipate possible problems. In the future, technological advancements around security (including remote monitors and improved locking systems) should further help alleviate this problem.
6. Whether the electric scooter company is profitable
Early electric scooters had factors such as unit economic inconsistency and seasonal effects, and technological innovations announced by manufacturers should help reduce unit costs and extend service life.
Important factors in technological innovation include:
1. Extending battery life and/or interchangeable rechargeable batteries will significantly reduce the cost of electric scooters.
2. Stronger electric scooter materials, efficient structure and larger wheels can increase the service life of electric scooters by 2 times or more.
Since Bird launched its first electric scooter in early 2018, the vast majority of shared electric scooters have been manufactured by domestic Xiaomi subsidiary Segway and InMotion. However, the electric scooters of Xiaomi and InMotion were not originally designed to be shared, and enjoyed the status of nearly two giants in the industry, so this also hindered the progress of electric scooters in the initial innovation. This situation is slowly changing as new technology manufacturing companies provide improved models. These companies also initiate innovation and competition among manufacturers, which is expected to improve the life of scooters and unit economic benefits.
7. Will large one-stop travel companies dominate micro-mobile
In 2018, Uber acquired Jump Bikes and invested in Lime. It is also reported that Uber will negotiate acquisitions with Bird, while Lyft acquired Citi Bike and has launched its own electric scooter, which is currently operating in several cities in the United States. And these large one-stop travel companies still have the advantage to use their operating experience to combat emerging electric scooter companies, because the traffic management department may emphasize that certain advantages of micro-mobile partners make them have to choose to cooperate. The reasons include:
1. Recognized by users as a reliable alternative to last-mile transportation and conducting business in cities in multiple regions.
2. The unique experience of operating a complex electric scooter or shared bicycle network, they are learning how to improve safety and efficiency in real time (Uber or Lyft only need to copy experience).
3. Existing relationships with other regulatory agencies can verify their ability to operate successfully and safely in cities around the world.
Nevertheless, even if the emerging large independent micro mobile companies possess these characteristics, they may eventually merge and/or cooperate with large one-stop travel companies, otherwise they will face the risk of losing important market shares.
All in all, regardless of whether people think that shared bicycles and electric scooters will replace each other in the future, these traditional transportation alternatives do help and solve the problems of environmental pollution and more populated cities in the world. Time will also prove that the best last-mile alternative is ultimately electric scooters, shared bicycles, or some new transportation that has not yet hit the streets.