Micromobility operator Voi has reported an increase in e-scooter rentals on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of last week [22 – 24 September], as a result of the UK’s fuel crisis.
In cities including Bristol, Birmingham and Liverpool, people have been leaving cars at home and relying on Voi’s e-scooters to travel around, according to the operator. It has seen an overall increase of 33% in the number of rides from 6am to 9am on weekdays, with people using e-scooters to travel to and from work and university, as well as pick up groceries and run errands.
Jack Samler, general manager at Voi UK and Ireland, said: “The last few days have shown a significant spike in people wanting to try our e-scooters and have offered people a new alternative mode of transport, that means they are still able to work and travel when their car is off the road.
“In the long-term, we need to find alternative ways to get around that are better for the environment and e-scooters can play a part in reducing car usage in dense, inner-city areas. This week’s events have at least opened many more people’s eyes to the role that e-scooters could play in the transport mix in future.”
Voi latest findings show that the average UK e-scooter journey is between one and two miles, the same distance as 60% of car journeys. The micromobility firm added this makes e-scooters the perfect replacement for short car trips.
Since launching in the UK last September, UK riders have taken over five million rides on Voi’s e-scooters, replacing over two million car trips, and saving over 528,000 litres of gasoline from being burned. Voi added it is helping cities across the country to reach their net-zero targets and encourage people to make more sustainable choices in their daily routines.
