Innovating E-Scooter Apps A Guide to Success

Increasingly, people worldwide are turning to cutting-edge IoT technologies to streamline and enhance their daily lives. This trend is evident in the surge of electric vehicle-sharing apps, which are topping download charts. Electric scooters, in particular, are gaining popularity due to their environmental friendliness, ability to reduce traffic congestion, and affordability. The growing e-scooter market suggests that investing in electric scooter app development is a wise and potentially lucrative decision.

Scooter sharing has emerged as a notable addition to the shared mobility landscape in recent years. This concept offers temporary access to electric scooters resembling Vespas, as well as electric kick scooters (often referred to as stand-up scooters). While developing apps for scooter sharing shares similarities with carsharing and bike-sharing services, it stands out due to its lower cost and suitability for brief journeys.

Let's explore the intricacies of creating a successful electric scooter rental app. An e-scooter app is typically an IoT-based platform facilitating the sharing of small electric vehicles and is popular among startups and business owners for its automation. These apps manage scooter movement, payments, and more without the need for direct oversight.

A notable example in this sector is Bird, the first e-scooter startup unicorn, valued at around $2 billion. For those considering entering this market, it's crucial to plan the app's features carefully before starting development.

Market Insights for the E-Scooter Market

The scooter-sharing sector encompasses both electric scooters akin to Vespas and kick scooters. Over the past five years, electric scooters resembling Vespas have been particularly popular in Europe, whereas the United States has seen a rapid rise in the sharing of electric kick scooters. Recently, however, there has been a shift in trends.

Traditional scooter-sharing initiatives, which have been more prevalent in Europe, are gradually making their way across the US. Simultaneously, an increasing number of companies specializing in kick scooters are beginning to offer sharing services in various European countries.

Kick scooter

The advent of app-based, dockless electric kick scooters has revolutionized urban transportation, offering convenient, on-demand mobility at competitive prices. This movement took off between 2017 and 2018, primarily driven by three startups from California, and has since gained immense global traction. Leading the charge in this domain are Lime, Bird, and Spin, which have become dominant players in the shared electric scooter market.

As of April 2019, Bird and Lime have collectively garnered an impressive $1.48 billion in funding. Remarkably, the Bird's Scooter app reached a valuation of $2 billion, despite the company being less than a year old at the time. Spin has also made headlines with its plans to secure $125 million in blockchain-based funding.

The market also features other notable e-scooter-sharing companies such as Skip, Goat, Wind Mobility, VOI, and Scoot. These firms, much like their more prominent counterparts, offer on-demand dockless electric scooters in urban areas and on college campuses. Adding to the competitive landscape, Uber has expanded its mobility offerings by acquiring the e-scooter-sharing service Jump.

Vespas

The sharing of Vespa-style scooters, a practice that dates back to 2012, has seen a surge in popularity over the past two years, with over 8,000 smart shared scooters now on the streets worldwide. Notably, more than 40% of these scooters are located in Berlin and Paris, making them significant hubs for this mode of transportation.

In Europe, the traditional scooter-sharing market is led by operators such as ECooltra, Muving, Coup, CityScoot, Yugo, Emmy, and VOI. These companies have successfully established a strong presence in the region.

Although Vespa-like scooters are not as widespread in the US as in Europe, certain electric scooter rental companies have carved out a niche for themselves. For instance, Scoot operates in San Francisco, while Scoobi offers scooter rentals in Pittsburgh. Additionally, Muving, an electric scooter-sharing provider based in Spain, has recently entered the US market.

These companies use straightforward apps to assist riders in locating the nearest scooters and estimating the cost of their trips. They also provide helmets for safety. The rental fees generally range from 25 to 30 cents to unlock a vehicle, with an ongoing charge of 15 to 20 cents per minute.

Benefits of E-Scooter App Development

Starting a scooter-sharing business not only taps into a lucrative market but also aligns with sustainable and technological trends, offering a forward-looking approach to urban mobility. The scooter-sharing business comes with a range of benefits, making it an attractive venture in today’s mobility landscape:

• Eco-Friendly Solution: Scooter sharing contributes to reducing carbon emissions, making it an environmentally sustainable option. This aspect aligns well with the growing global emphasis on green transportation.
• Low Operational Costs: Compared to car sharing or larger vehicles, scooters are cheaper to purchase, maintain, and operate, leading to potentially higher profit margins.
• Growing Market Demand: With an increasing number of people looking for convenient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly transportation options, the demand for scooter-sharing services is on the rise.
• Technological Integration: The integration of technology such as GPS tracking, mobile payment systems, and app-based controls makes scooter sharing a modern, user-friendly option.
• Attractiveness to Investors: The market potential of scooter sharing has caught the attention of investors, making it easier to secure funding for expansion and technology upgrades.
• Promotion of Healthier Lifestyles: By encouraging more active modes of transportation, scooter sharing can contribute to healthier urban living.
• Flexible Employment Opportunities: This business creates jobs, both in terms of on-ground operations like maintenance and recharging and in tech support and customer service.
• Bird: Bird stands out as an affordable option in the electric scooter-sharing app market across American cities. Renowned for its user-friendliness, Bird enables riders to easily locate the nearest e-scooter and access up-to-date pricing information.
• Lime: Lime is a prominent name in e-scooter sharing, striving to simplify urban mobility while reducing carbon footprints. With over 3 million rides on its bikes and e-scooters, Lime is a go-to choice for those considering app development in this niche.
• Spin: Spin is transforming urban mobility by offering electric micro-mobility alternatives. Known for its commitment to sustainable solutions, Spin provides a convenient app for accessing a wide range of shared scooters and bikes nationwide.
• Skip: Skip leads in electric scooter rentals, particularly in Washington, DC. The app allows users to easily find, rent, and park scooters, with each vehicle being fully tracked thanks to GPS sensors.
• Ride Goat: The Goat e-scooter sharing app offers an affordable and hassle-free way to explore cities. Available across various American towns and campuses, it allows users to pick up and return vehicles within designated GPS zones.
• Neuron: Neuron has made its mark by providing over 300 electric scooters in numerous Australian cities. Each scooter is equipped with a multifunctional smart helmet, offering features like a helmet lock, voice guidance, and a ‘follow my ride’ function.
• Dott: Dott operates in Europe, offering user-friendly e-scooters for easy navigation through traffic. Dott focuses on convenience and environmental friendliness, with a commitment to providing 24/7 client services.
• TIER: TIER offers eco-friendly transportation solutions with its fleet of shared electric scooters available in over 100 locations globally. It’s known for its mission to revolutionize mobility, offering various options like scooters, bikes, and mopeds.
• Wind: Wind provides a keyless and hassle-free e-scooter rental experience. Their high-quality scooters ensure safe rides, and they offer competitive pricing for hourly or daily rentals, along with employee bonus schemes.
• JET: JET operates a mobile app-based scooter rental service with numerous pick-up and drop-off points. Their scooters boast a long-lasting battery, a range of up to 18 miles, and a maximum speed of 15.5mph, making them a practical choice in the e-scooter app development market.

How to Earn Money with an E-Scooter App

Earning money with an e-scooter app involves developing a robust business model that leverages various revenue streams while enhancing the user experience. Here are some strategies to monetize an e-scooter app:

• Pay-Per-Minute Charges: Implement a usage-based pricing model where users are charged for the time they spend using the scooter. This could include a base unlocking fee plus a per-minute rate.
• Subscription Models: Offer subscription packages for frequent users, providing unlimited or a set number of rides for a monthly fee. This ensures a steady revenue stream and user loyalty.
• Corporate Partnerships: Partner with businesses to offer their employees discounted rates. This can be an attractive perk for companies while ensuring a consistent user base for the app.
• Advertising and Sponsorship: Utilize the scooters and the app for advertising. Brands can pay to have their ads displayed on scooters or within the app, or you could offer sponsored rides where a brand covers the cost of rides for a period.
• Referral Programs: Encourage user growth by implementing referral programs where existing users are rewarded for bringing new users to the app.

How to Build an Electric Scooter App

When embarking on the development of an electric scooter app, it's crucial to start with the hardware aspect, making sure everything is in place. At RexSoft, the development process involves several key steps:

• Design: A user-friendly and intuitive design is paramount for an e-scooter app. You might want to explore minimalistic or interactive design concepts that engage users and encourage repeat usage. Consider beginning with application prototyping to refine the design.
• Front-End Development: This stage is all about the app's user interface. The goal here is to ensure a seamless and fluid user experience. The app should operate smoothly without any glitches, which is essential to maintaining user engagement.
• Back-End Development: This step is critical for integrating and securing third-party services, such as payment gateways and GPS tracking. A strong focus on back-end development enhances the overall customer experience, making it a vital aspect of the development process.
• Testing: Quality assurance is key. QA engineers rigorously test the app to identify and fix any bugs, ensuring the final product is of the highest quality and free from technical issues.
• Creating a Device API: Handled by IoT developers, this step involves developing an API that ensures flawless communication between the app and the hardware. This is crucial for the app’s functionality, making it a vital component of the development process.

Essential features of E-scooter ridesharing app

When developing a rideshare scooter application, incorporating these fundamental features is essential for a functional and user-friendly experience:

• User Onboarding: A smooth and informative onboarding process that guides users through the app's features and usage guidelines.
• Google Maps Integration: Seamlessly integrate Google Maps for accurate and efficient route planning and navigation.
• Real-Time GPS Tracking: Implement GPS tracking to allow users to locate nearby scooters in real-time.
• QR Code/ID Scanner: Include a QR code or ID scanner for easy unlocking and accessing scooters.
• Smart Lock Technology: Incorporate a smart lock feature to enable users to securely lock and unlock scooters through the app.
• Multiple Payment Options: Implement a secure in-app payment system for convenient and seamless transactions.
• Ride History: Offer users insights into their rides, including duration, distance, and route information.
• Social Media Feedback: Facilitate easy sharing of ride experiences on social media platforms, enhancing user engagement.

These features aim to enhance the overall functionality and user engagement of your rideshare scooter application.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the development of an e-scooter ride-sharing app represents a significant stride in modern urban mobility.As a mobile app development company, we recognize the transformative impact these apps have on city transportation. These apps not only cater to the evolving needs of urban commuters but also contribute to reducing urban congestion and pollution. Our commitment is to continue innovating and refining these applications, ensuring they not only meet but exceed user expectations while actively contributing to a more sustainable and connected urban future.

Our skilled team excels in mobile app development and stands poised to turn your concept into a functional and successful product.