Unanswered Questions on the Registration of Electric Scooters from the Perspective of the Automotive Industry and the Law

Abstract

The rise of micromobility has brought increased use of low-speed transport devices such as electric scooters, Segways, and e-bikes. Despite their global popularity, the legal status of electric scooters remains unclear. A key regulatory question is whether e-scooters should be classified as vehicles. While some European countries consider them vehicles, others place them under existing categories like mopeds or bicycles, or even classify them as pedestrian devices. This classification affects all subsequent regulatory considerations. This study focuses on the registration of electric scooters, a topic with limited information despite its potential to address legal issues like theft and liability. The analysis examines regulatory frameworks in select European countries, compares them with practices in certain U.S. states, and highlights successful approaches in Asia, notably Singapore. The findings emphasize the role of vehicle databases in legal problem-solving and evaluate the effectiveness of existing systems. It may also be an incentive for the legislator to consider whether appropriate solutions can be found for the registration of other means of transport (e.g., bicycles, mopeds) and whether the adoption of these options could be appropriate for electric scooters.