TRL scopes technical requirements for e-scooters

TRL and researchers at the University of Warwick are carrying out a project to establish what the future technical requirements for e-scooters should be to ensure that they are as safe as possible for riders and other road users.

The contract for the project – which also sets out to ensure e-scooters are inclusive for people with disabilities and are making a net positive contribution towards reducing carbon emissions – was awarded by the DfT in July.

The DfT has announced plans to create a new Low-Speed Zero Emission Vehicle (LZEV) category, that has the aim of encouraging the growth and adoption of light electric vehicles while maintaining safety standards. E-scooters will be the first vehicles to be included in their own sub-category.

It is hoped that the final recommendations from the project will assist the DfT in developing effective regulations for e-scooters that are ‘sufficiently flexible and proportionate to promote innovation and minimise the regulatory burden on industry’.