ACT e-scooter use powers ahead as fuel prices surge (2024)

ACT e-scooter use powers ahead as fuel prices surge (1)

Scooter users ANU students Chloe James, Zara Arnold, Abby Thompson and Eve O'Brien. Picture: Keegan Carroll

The bright orange or purple electric scooters dotted throughout the city make up part of the scenery for many commuters across the ACT. However, recent research has shown more people are leaving the car at home, pocketing their MyWay card and scooting to work.

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The two shared scooter providers in Canberra, Neuron Mobility and Beam Mobility, have both seen an increase in demand as fuel prices surge.

Over the past two weeks Neuron has seen a 15.4 per cent increase in e-scooter trips across Australia. This follows anecdotal reports some riders are turning to e-scooters to replace comparatively expensive car journeys.

This comes as fuel prices surpass $2.20 in many parts of Canberra as a result of pressures from the Russian-Ukraine war.

The data has shown 45 per cent of Canberrans use Neuron e-scooter trips to replace a car journey.

According to data from Beam, fuel prices have risen by around 20 per cent since February 6 across the ACT with scooter use up by 42 per cent over that time.

A total of 67 per cent of Beam riders surveyed in Canberra own a car, with 45 per cent using shared scooters to commute to work, 63 per cent for leisure purposes and 33 per cent to travel to and from study.

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Australian and New Zealand head of Neuron Richard Hannah said e-scooters were a great alternative to cars, helped reduce congestion and emissions, and provided a link to public transport.

"With increasing petrol prices, and the reduced availability of fuel, people are certainly considering how they travel," he said.

"Already we are seeing our e-scooter trips continuing to increase in Canberra and we expect this number to continue if petrol prices continue to rise.

"Over the last two weeks we've seen an uplift in demand and we are carefully watching how, and where, our e-scooters are being used and responding accordingly."

The Canberra Times spoke to scooter users at ANU and in the city to get the run-down on this new mode of transport.

ANU student Chloe James said convenience as well as the "fun factor" was a driver when deciding to use a scooter.

"They're really convenient parking-wise because it's really hard to get a park in Canberra, and you can sort of just dump the scooter wherever you want," she said.

Friends Eve O'Brien, Abby Thompson and Zara Arnold all agreed scooters were a cheap, fast and convenient option compared to other forms of public transport.

"It's cheaper than driving at the moment and it's fast," Ms Thompson said.

While The Canberra Times questioned multiple people about their scooter use, many said they only used them to ride home from the pub after a late night.

Beam scooter use currently costs $1 to unlock and then 45 cents for every minute you ride. Neuron scooters cost $1 to unlock and 38 cents per minute. Three-day, weekly and monthly passes are also available for regular users.

The micro-mobility scooters were first introduced to areas of Canberra in August 2020, with services expected to expand to Woden and Gungahlin, and connect areas between Belconnen and central Canberra, by the end of 2022.

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Hannah Neale

Reporter

Hannah is a reporter with The Canberra Times. She is currently covering ACT courts. Hannah started as a journalist with The Southern Highland News and The Goulburn Post before moving to the ACT.

Hannah is a reporter with The Canberra Times. She is currently covering ACT courts. Hannah started as a journalist with The Southern Highland News and The Goulburn Post before moving to the ACT.

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ACT e-scooter use powers ahead as fuel prices surge (2024)

FAQs

ACT e-scooter use powers ahead as fuel prices surge? ›

The data has shown 45 per cent of Canberrans use Neuron e-scooter trips to replace a car journey. According to data from Beam, fuel prices have risen by around 20 per cent since February 6 across the ACT with scooter use up by 42 per cent over that time.

Do electric scooters save gas? ›

On average, electric scooters can save you hundreds of dollars on gas annually. By relying on electricity for charging, you eliminate the need for regular fuel purchases.

Why is my e scooter losing power? ›

This can happen if the battery pack is being discharged down to a voltage that will not run the motor. It might also be a problem with a circuit breaker, wiring, connectors, or a fuse. Test the battery charging port, and try to deep charge the battery for 48-72 hours.

Can I overcharge my e scooter? ›

Overcharging your electric scooter can damage the battery capacity, so don't do it. As a result of the extra charge, metallic lithium will be plated, blocking the flow of ions and electrons, and causing it to degrade.

Is there a governor on electric scooters? ›

The speed limiter, also known as the governor, restricts the top speed of your scooter to comply with local regulations and safety standards. Typically, the speed limiter is found within the scooter's electronic control unit (ECU) or connected to the throttle.

Why are electric scooters not eco friendly? ›

According to Cenex, e-scooters produce around 35 to 67 grams of CO2 per km over their lifespan, compared to 200 to 350 grams per km for private petrol cars. 200 grams for a car might not seem like a lot, but that quickly adds up over time, especially if you drive a lot.

Are scooters more fuel efficient than bikes? ›

Fuel Efficiency or Mileage

Scooters are built for urban transportation and have smaller engines for better fuel efficiency. Bikes, on the other hand, have larger engines that use more fuel and get less economy.

What is the lifespan of an electric scooter? ›

Approximately, an electric scooter could have a lifespan of around 10.96 years (4000 days / 365 days per year) if it is operated within these parameters. Therefore, with an increased range of 80 km per charge, the approximate lifespan of an electric scooter in India is around 10.96 years under typical usage conditions.

Why does my electric scooter run out of battery so fast? ›

If your scooter's battery does not hold a charge for as long as it used to, it may be a sign of battery wear. In some cases, this can be addressed by reconditioning the battery, but if the problem persists, consider replacing it to restore optimal performance.

Should I leave my electric scooter plugged in all the time? ›

– Leaving an electric scooter plugged in overnight can pose risks of overcharging and overheating the battery, potentially reducing its lifespan. It's generally recommended to avoid leaving it plugged in for extended periods.

Should I charge my scooter after every use? ›

E Scooter Battery Endurance Tips

You do not have to “condition” your battery by charging and discharging before it's first use. This was the case with old lithium ion technology but is not necessary on modern batteries. Recharge your battery after every use if possible.

What happens if an electric scooter is not used for a long time? ›

One important practice is to keep the battery charged to at least 50%, even when the scooter is not in use. This prevents the battery from discharging completely, which can cause permanent damage.

Do scooters use less gas? ›

Scooters offer superior mobility with higher top speeds and good gas mileage. For example, a 150cc scooter has a top speed of 60 mph and may get up to 70 mpg, while a 250cc scooter can reach 75 mph but might get fewer than 60 mpg. However, you may not be able to use a scooter on the freeway.

Are electric scooters better than gas? ›

Electric scooters are a better choice than gas scooters due to their cost-effectiveness and long-term savings, as they are more efficient and require less maintenance.

Is it economical to buy an electric scooter? ›

Compared to traditional petrol two-wheelers, the cost of owning an electric scooter in India boasts an operational cost of merely 3.4 rupees per kilometer, making them a more economical choice in the long term.

Do electric vehicles save gas? ›

Electric vehicles can reduce fuel costs dramatically because of the high efficiency of electric-drive components. Because all-electric vehicles and PHEVs rely in whole or part on electric power, their fuel economy is measured differently than that of conventional vehicles.

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