UK fuel crisis spurs jump in e-scooter use

Micromobility operator Voi says demand for its UK rental e-scooters has increased by as much as 44 percent between 22-24 September – attributing the sharp rise to the ongoing fuel crisis which is gripping the country.

With long queues at petrol stations across the UK and thousands of motorists unable to fill up their vehicles, alternative forms of transport like bicycles and e-scooters have been given a boost.

Voi claims there has been an overall increase of 33 percent in the number of rides on its e-scooters from 6am to 9am on weekdays in Bristol, Birmingham and Liverpool, with people using the micromobility mode to travel to and from work and university,

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.”

HGV driver shortage

The events over the past week have been attributed to a shortage of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers to deliver fuel – which in turn has been blamed on both Brexit and driver-testing delays due to COVID-19.

It is estimated that the UK currently has a shortage of around 100,000 HGV drivers, and the subsequent wave of panic-buying by motorists has led to sold-out petrol stations across the country.

The Petrol Retailers Association, which represents independent fuel suppliers, said today that about 27 percent of the 5,450 service stations it monitors were without fuel, but the figures are down from 37 percent on Tuesday and 66 percent earlier this week.

UK Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has said the army will now step in to deliver fuel in the coming days to alleviate pressure at the pumps.

Free trips

Micromobility company Dott announced it is offering unlimited free e-scooter trips to London-based NHS healthcare workers until 10 October, along with two free trips for all other riders to help people to move around during the crisis.

“With the fuel crisis causing congestion across London, we wanted to help people get to where they need to be,” a Dott Spokesperson told Cities Today.

“All our riders are being offered two free trips, and we are making our service free to NHS healthcare workers until 10 October, so that they can make their way across the city free from congestion and without causing pollution.”

Image: Voi