Russians transfer from rental cars to personal electric scooters

In Russia, sales of electric scooters increased 1.5 times in January-April 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. An employee of one of the distribution companies told Izvestia about this. According to him, this is happening against the background of tougher fines that users of rental SIM (personal mobility equipment) receive and tougher other penalties for violations, such as account blocking.

Cost of departure: fines for children driving electric scooters have tripled

What restrictions and punishments are the government and business preparing for kicksharing users?

In this situation, it is better to have your own electric scooter — its owner is almost impossible to fine. For example, for driving together or taking his time at a crossing: responsibility for him can come, in fact, only when an accident is committed, the Izvestia interlocutor points out.

Indeed, kicksharing companies regularly increase fines: for example, since April 28, Whoosh and MTS Yuret have stepped up the fight against the use of rental electric scooters by minors. Since April 28, the companies have tripled the fines for their access to SIM management — from 10 to 30 thousand rubles, their representatives told Izvestia. The exception is Moscow, where the fine is already 100,000 rubles.

The main reason for the positive growth in demand for our own electric scooters is the tightening of regulation in the field of kicksharing, agrees Anton Fomin, head of retail projects at Marvel Distribution. The restrictions and fines imposed by operators lead to the fact that it is now much easier to buy an electric scooter for personal use than to rent it, he believes.

Read more in the exclusive Izvestia article:

The running fate: Russians transfer from rental cars to personal electric scooters