KEY TAKEAWAYS
Germany is about to pass a new law that will officially allow
e-scooters on public roads. The new law, adopted today, will give
people more choices for transportation and allow for modern, green
and clean mobility in cities. To date, e-scooters have been
forbidden on public roads in Germany, including sidewalks and bike
lanes. This will change with the new law, potentially allowing for
the influx of e-scooter rentals seen in other major markets.
WHAT THE REGULATION PROVIDES IN DETAIL
Germany's new law will allow "small electrical
vehicles" (Elektrokleinstfahrzeuge – SEVs) on
public roads. SEVs are light weight vehicles with electric motors,
such as e-scooters. Until now, it has been forbidden to use such
vehicles on public roads in Germany. Only certain self-balancing
mobility aids, e.g., Segways, benefited from a general exemption
under the Mobility Aid Regulation. Furthermore, the Federal State
of Bavaria has already permitted e-scooters for use
