Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what evidence his Department assessed when deciding to set the motor wattage for e-scooters in the forthcoming trials at 350W.

The Department’s consultation on the rules for e-scooters asked whether there should be a maximum power set for e-scooters and asked whether 350W is an appropriate limit. The Department has considered evidence available from international organisations, published reports and considered the rules for e-scooter use in other countries. We also took account of the responses received from the Future of Transport regulatory review call for evidence. The proposed power limit also directly influences what other rules should apply to the use of e-scooters.

There is limited evidence on the impact of different maximum power limits for e-scooters and a range of different power limits apply in other countries.

We are currently analysing the responses to the consultation.

The trials will allow us to gather evidence about the use of e-scooters and their effects on other road users. This will inform future policy for e-scooters and other micromobility vehicles.