E-Scooter Surge in Germany Driven by Private Owners, Rental Numbers Decline

Germany has seen a dramatic rise in e-scooters, with nearly 1.66 million registered in 2025, a figure that has more than doubled since 2022. This surge is almost entirely attributed to a significant increase in privately owned e-scooters, which grew from 1.01 million to 1.34 million.

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E-Scooter have become a means of transport for short distances for many people.

Conversely, the number of e-scooters available for rent has declined, falling from 331,000 to 300,000. Despite this shift towards private ownership, the overall presence of e-scooters on German streets continues to grow, establishing them as a common mode of transport for short distances due to their affordability and compact size.

However, this proliferation comes with a sharp increase in accidents. The number of e-scooter-related accidents involving injuries nearly doubled from 8,341 in 2022 to 16,496 in 2025, with 38 fatalities reported. Insurers recorded 11,700 liability claims last year.

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With the growing number of vehicles, the importance of clear rules and considerate interaction in road traffic also increases.

Interestingly, rental scooters exhibit a higher accident frequency, with 13 claims per 1,000 rental devices compared to 6 claims per 1,000 private devices. While it's unclear if rental scooters are ridden more overall, accident research suggests private scooter users tend to ride more, wear helmets more often, and are less likely to use sidewalks. The German Insurance Association (GDV) advocates for stricter enforcement of rules by rental companies and better education in schools regarding e-scooter regulations, including alcohol restrictions for riders under 21.

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Users of their own scooters usually ride a lot, are more likely to wear a helmet, and are less often on sidewalks.