The Ultimate Guide to E-scooter Sharing App Development in 2022

E-scooters are the future, with more and more people relying on them for their benefit. Thus, the rise in e-scooter app development is not surprising.

Technological advancements are expediting and adding convenience to everyday processes. More than that, they are pushing the world towards eco-friendly, quick, and improved solutions. E-scooter sharing apps are the product of this innovative segment.

What is an e-scooter sharing app?

E-scooter sharing applications enable users to book an electric scooter whenever they need a ride. People can easily find and commute without harming the environment.

Electric scooters make commutation quick and efficient. It does not cost much, and you can track nearby availability of scooters through the application- thus, adding convenience and comfortability.

How does an e-scooter sharing app work?

An e-scooter sharing application is pretty easy to use and navigate. All you need to do is:

1. Download the application.
2. Sign up on the application.
3. Identity verification and adding a payment method.
4. Use the interactive map to locate e-scooters near you.
5. Get information about their condition, battery, etc.
6. After reaching the scooter, use the QR scan code available on the application to unlock your ride.
7. Begin your ride on the e-scooter as the app calculates time and length.
8. After finishing the ride, park the scooter nearby and signal in the app for the scooter to lock.
9. Get the trip details and fare charged.

These quick and straightforward steps make transportation a breeze and offer a much-needed outlet from the daily routine.

Where is the demand coming from?

The on-demand commutation industry has grown significantly in recent years, with apps like Uber and Lyft knocking it out of the park. However, the rising consciousness about environmental safety has led users to switch from fuel-led vehicles to sustainable electric options.

E-scooters have an increasing demand because they are a better alternative to fuel-led bikes and cars. They facilitate quick transportation and incorporate fun into a busy routine.

The demand for e-scooters has increased in the younger generation. While men aged 18–29 years prefer to use these apps for work-related traveling, women of the same age prefer them for fun and recreation. They enjoy the travel time and even save money. E-scooter apps cost less than using car ride applications.

Why is it so popular these days?

Since the e-scooter market is growing continuously, its application development industry is also rising. E-scooter sharing apps like Lime and Bird have positioned themselves as billion-dollar companies in the industry. The reasons for the increasing popularity of these applications are as follows:

1. Cost-effective

E-scooter applications save considerable money in traveling from one place to another. It costs $2-$3 for the same ride that costs $20-$25 in a car. Students and employees with lower paychecks can afford these rides and easily commute to their destination.

Catering to low-budget customers makes it increasingly popular. It eliminates the maintenance, charging, parking, and such costs. Also, consumers need not buy the e-scooter but use it when required through the app. It eliminates the maintenance, charging, parking, and such costs.

2. Eco-friendly alternative

Rising consciousness among consumers about environment protection and sustainability pushes them to make clean and green choices. E-scooters are eco-friendly alternatives to fuel-driven cars and bikes.

The transportation industry is the primary cause of air and noise pollution worldwide. With e-scooters, these issues get removed effectively. It does not use fuels but requires charging when the battery reduces. Also, they do not make loud noises like other vehicles.

E-scooter sharing applications are thus becoming popular in letting people use e-scooters without owning them. It reduces fuel-driven vehicles on the road that cause traffic congestion.

3. Ease of parking

Unlike cars, motorbikes, and vehicles requiring proper parking spaces, e-scooters are easy to park anywhere in the set area. There is no stress in looking for a room and paying the charges for the space. Simply use and put the e-scooter in a safe place for another user to use.

If you need to run to catch a bus, train, or other transportation or are in a rush, e-scooters enable getting anywhere without the worry of parking and storing the vehicle. Using a car or bike is not feasible in such times. However, e-scooter applications eliminate these issues due to portability.

4. Handy and efficient

Going into the traffic with a big vehicle like a car, walking a few miles when tired, or getting the car out for such situations does not seem feasible. In such cases, e-scooters are a perfect choice.

Book the ride on the e-scooter sharing application and ride anywhere near or far. You can efficiently run small errands at lunchtime or just get out of the rut to freshen your mind.

5. A fun experience

Riding a cab sometimes does not appeal to users because they do not want to talk to the driver or just want to be alone. Also, security issues in cabs make it a less appealing choice. Moreover, consumers who get car-sick quickly won’t enjoy a car ride.

E-scooters provide a way to incorporate fun and pleasure into an otherwise dull life. Getting the feeling of air in your hair can freshen the mood and give an incredible experience.

6. License not necessary

Driving a car or bike requires users to have a driving license or attract penalties. There is no need to go through all the paperwork. Riding an e-scooter does not need a permit and thus makes commutation effective.

7. Untapped market

The e-scooter application industry is an untapped profitable venue that can guarantee high returns to developers. That is why entrepreneurs and businesses are looking to invest in developing these applications. The growth in the current years has encouraged investment and given a green signal to developers.

Who are the competitors, and how are they faring against the market leader?

The e-scooter sharing app industry has some prominent leaders who dominate the industry and others making their place in the market. At the top are Lime and Bird, leading the entire industry with excellent ROI and customer satisfaction. Apart from these two, Uber and Lyft have also entered the e-scooter sharing industry.

Bird and Lime are the industry dominants with a significant share in the industry in the US. Lime operates in 32 countries and 28 states in the US. It has a network of more than 120,000 e-scooters.

Bird has witnessed considerable growth since its inception in 2017 and is the first start-up to enter $2 billion valuation companies within a year. It has expanded over 100 cities globally and registered more than 10 million rides in its debut year.

Other global competitors who actively participate in the industry include:

1. Scoot

Scoot Networks is the oldest player in the e-scooters segment and has different kick variants.

2. Tier

With headquarters in Berlin, Tier arranged over 10 million rides within 14 months of its launch in 2018. It operates in more than 44 locations.

3. VOI

VOI serves more than 4 million users, with its operations spread across ten countries and 39 European cities.

4. Beam

The beam is one of the largest growing e-scooter sharing companies in the Asia-Pacific region and has its roots in Singapore.

The pros and cons of building your app vs. using a third-party platform

Developing an e-scooter sharing application is daunting. Considerations like doing it yourself or hiring a third-party platform can be challenging. Here is an in-depth analysis of whether you should build the app yourself or choose the latter:

In-house app development

Developing an application in-house requires businesses to have tons of the following resources:

1. Time

Time is of utmost significance in developing an application. For a seamless and top-quality app, you need to invest considerable time. Therefore, if you are looking for quick functionalities, this option will not suit you. Continue investigating this option if you want a customized solution and possess this resource in abundance.

2. Talent

Developing an e-scooter app is not a walk in the park. The numerous technicalities require you to have qualified and efficient talent. If you have the bandwidth and skills to create the app, pursue the in-house option. If not, then outsource.

3. Budget

Having time and talent isn’t enough. You must have the necessary finances to execute the project. The returns won’t be instant, so your funds will get blocked until the app begins making money.

Pros

• Meeting the unique needs of your business becomes possible with in-house app development.
• Direct and immediate support in maintaining the app
• Continuous upgrades and customizations are possible
• Long-term money savings as no third-party fees will prevail
• Owning the code enables you to use the app as a product in future
• Competitive edge and efficiency in the market

Cons

• Up-front costs of developing, on-boarding, etc., are too-high
• Temporary alternatives for revenues to fill the gap between development and monetization
• Indefinite maintenance and support can become a burden
• The cost-effectiveness of third party platforms is high

Using third-party platforms

When doing everything in-house seems a massive burden and mess, businesses can resort to third-party platforms for support. However, there are considerations in dealing with them too. These include:

1. Costs

Upfront costs may be lower with a third-party platform. However, the subscription, maintenance, expanded functionality, and upgrade charges can be high in the long run.

2. Features

You must outline the must-have features and functionalities in advance and look for platforms that meet the requirements fully.

3. Customer support

Working with a third party can be tiring, especially if there is no one to listen to you. It is essential to verify that they provide excellent customer support when needed.

Pros

• Outsourcing tech support can help your team focus on core operations.
• Third parties may possess built-in integrations with various tools.
• Ready-made solutions make the development process efficient and effortless.
• Faster bug-resolving and upgrades you might not have even thought of on your own.

Cons

• You are at the mercy of a third party to resolve issues if any arise in or after app development.
• Third-party expenses can inflate and become expensive over time, digging a hole in your pocket.
• Limited customization is possible with third-party solutions taking over your app development.
• You might get stuck with a tool or tools that are unnecessary, but you have to pay until the contract period ends.

Choosing among the two

The following points can help you decide whether you should go in-house or consider third-party platforms.

• Figure out your needs in detail. Conduct an in-depth analysis of why you want the app, what problem it will solve, how much budget you have, when you want the app, etc. Ascertain the issue you are solving and find the solutions externally. If there is no third-party meeting your needs thoroughly, do it in-house.
• Conduct inquiries to thoroughly assess the pros and cons of both options available.
• Undertake scalability evaluation to ensure you can grow your app effectively.

How long does it take to make one of these apps?

Developing an e-scooter sharing application comprises numerous steps to go through. Each phase requires adequate time and resource investment for a high-quality application. These stages include:

1. Planning

It involves adequate market research, competitor analysis, determining the problem to solve, features to add to the app, etc.

2. Designing

It includes outlining features, page design, layout, navigation, seamless user interface, elements to add, etc.

3. Development

It includes arranging the tech stack, back, and front-end development, technology and user interface, etc.

4. Testing

Once the app gets developed, it is time to test it to ensure adequate performance. It is a continuous process followed even after the app launch.

5. Launching

When you get satisfied with the application development, roll it out to the ultimate users on different platforms. Ensure abiding by their rules while launching the app. Undertake regular maintenance, monitoring, and fixing bugs regularly.

Customization in the application can increase the time to roll it out to ultimate users.

Conclusion

The e-scooter app development industry has vast potential yet to get explored. It is an up-and-coming eco-friendly industry, enabling users to switch to sustainable commutation habits.