Shared electric scooters have become an established part of urban mobility across Europe, but differences in national and local technical regulations continue to complicate their deployment. The industry coalition Micro-Mobility for Europe (MMfE) is calling on the European Commission to introduce a harmonised regulatory framework establishing common technical requirements for shared e-scooters across all EU Member States. 

According to MMfE, its members recorded more than 351 million shared e-scooter journeys and 135 million shared e-bike rides in 2025. Despite this growing demand, operators face a fragmented regulatory environment. Different national requirements can apply to vehicle weight, dimensions, acceleration and maximum speed, creating additional compliance costs and making it difficult to deploy standardised fleets across borders.

In its position paper, the coalition proposes an EU Regulation establishing common technical specifications for e-scooters. A harmonised approach would reduce duplicated approval procedures, provide greater regulatory certainty for manufacturers and operators, and make it easier to transfer vehicles between markets as operational requirements change.

The proposal also highlights the specific characteristics of shared fleets. Unlike privately owned devices, shared e-scooters are designed for intensive daily operation and require durable components, reliable braking systems and safety features capable of withstanding frequent use. MMfE therefore argues that technical requirements should reflect the operational conditions of shared services rather than simply replicate standards designed for consumer products.

Another important element is the proposed introduction of a proportionate, lightweight homologation system. This would provide a common framework for assessing vehicle compliance while avoiding unnecessarily restrictive procedures that could limit technological development and the availability of shared mobility services.
The initiative builds on wider discussions about the harmonisation of personal mobility devices in Europe, including previous technical studies and proposals from individual Member States.

For European transport authorities, the debate highlights the challenge of balancing market integration, road safety and local mobility policies. Common vehicle standards could simplify cross-border operations, but their implementation will require cooperation between EU institutions, national regulators, cities, manufacturers and operators.

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MICRO-MOBILITY FOR EUROPE. Towards EU-wide harmonisation for shared e-scooters [online]. 2026 [cited 2026-10-26]. Available from: https://micromobilityforeurope.eu/towards-eu-wide-harmonisation-for-shared-e-scooters/