Mobilität: Immer mehr E-Scooter - aber weniger Leihgeräte
In den vergangenen drei Jahren hat sich ihre Zahl mehr als verdoppelt - vor allem im privaten Bereich.
In Germany, the number of privately owned E-Scooters has surged, reaching nearly 1.66 million in 2025, a rise of nearly 320,000 from the previous year and double the count from 2022. However, the availability of shared E-Scooters has decreased, from 331,000 to 300,000. All E-Scooters used on German roads must be insured, but the total number of E-Scooters in the country, including those stored in storage facilities or not insured despite the mandatory requirement, could be even higher.
Anja Käfer-Rohrbach, vice president of the German Insurance Association (GDV), notes that E-Scooters have become popular for short commutes due to their affordability and low space requirements. Yet, she also emphasizes the need for clear rules and mutual respect on the roads as the number of vehicles increases. The number of accidents involving E-Scooters has also risen significantly, with 16,496 incidents in 2025, resulting in 38 fatalities.
In comparison, there were 8,341 such incidents in 2022. Insurers reported 11,700 liability claims related to E-Scooters last year, with a strikingly higher frequency of damages in rented scooters compared to privately owned ones. The rate of damage claims was more than double for rented scooters (13 claims per 1,000 insured vehicles) compared to privately owned scooters (6 claims per 1,000 insured vehicles).
The exact usage rate of rented versus privately owned scooters remains unclear. Kirstin Zeidler, head of accident research at the GDV, also points out differing behaviors: "Owners of their own scooters typically travel longer distances, are more likely to wear helmets, and are less frequently found on sidewalks." To reduce the number of accidents, the GDV suggests that rental companies should take stricter action against violations such as drunk driving, multiple people on a scooter, or riding on sidewalks.
Additionally, further education on the rules is recommended, as many are unaware that those under 21 are prohibited from consuming alcohol on E-Scooters, a rule that can have consequences beyond fines, potentially impacting their future driving license.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
