Last year saw VMAX have its big American launch at Micromobility America, so this year, we were incredibly excited to make our way back to this conference, with a larger range of e-scooters and an eagerness to engage with like-minded enthusiasts. The event took place over two days, 14-15 November, in Costa Mesa, south of Los Angeles.
As the premier conference and expo focused on micromobility, the summit brought together industry experts, retailers, an enviable lineup of influential speakers, and a crowd of attendees, including manufacturers, fleet operators, government officials, and e-scooter enthusiasts. The buzzing atmosphere made it a true celebration of advancements in micromobility. Adding to the thrill of the event, I had the honor of showcasing VMAX on stage in the framework of the “Retail Awards: Boards & Scooters”.
Having spoken with a diverse set of people, from industry professionals, to everyday riders trying out our vehicles on the test track, I wanted to share some of our key learnings from the event.
Riders have set their eyes on quality
Through our interactions, we could make out that riders were first and foremost seeking high-quality electric scooters. The conversations we had reflect a shift in how riders view electric scooters, marking them as essential, reliable options for daily commuting and leisure riding alike, not just trendy gadgets. People are now thinking of micromobility as a worthwhile investment that must deliver durability, safety, performance, and efficiency. This trend is especially promising for VMAX, as our direct control over production at our own factory has allowed us to ensure that VMAX products stand out in terms of quality.
Shared scooter businesses lacked a presence
Compared to the previous edition of the Micromobility America event, we noticed that there were fewer shared scooter businesses at the expo. This could signal a growing interest in private ownership of electric scooters. The new range of electric scooters is more compact, weighs less, is competitively priced, and makes ownership look increasingly appealing to consumers. A look at the Bureau of Transportation Statistics shows that the number of e-scooter sharing systems did decline last year. In 2024, e-scooters served 130 cities, a drop from the 2022 peak of 179 cities. The decline is also a result of consolidation and bankruptcy of some shared e-scooter companies.
A new wave of innovative solutions
The authenticity of the buzz around electric scooters lies in recent innovations which is a trend true for most successful industries. When businesses see the value in a product, they don’t hesitate to innovate and push boundaries. There’s been a remarkable amount of innovation over the last few years to make e-scooter experiences safer and more reliable for riders, whether that’s through making scooters more visible at nighttime, reducing wobbliness or getting batteries UL certified. However, at this expo, we noticed that the spirit of innovation seemed to have extended to the hardware accessory business as well. One that particularly caught our eye was a business creating e-scooter stands that make storing scooters at home incredibly easy and convenient. Another one was a company selling stylish handcuff locks.
Making connections
Micromobility events always offer a fantastic opportunity to meet industry friends, share valuable insights, kick off exciting collaborations, and extend your professional network. This year the crowd surfing through the expo was larger and more enthusiastic than back in 2023. The VMAX team had some interesting and productive meetings connecting with people who are passionate about the future of e-scooters. Among the highlights were our conversations with Micah Toll from Electrek, whose expertise in the industry is always enlightening, and a special mention goes to the testers from the Electric Scooter Guide who stopped by our booth as well. It was a pleasure to exchange ideas with them on what’s next for the e-scooter world.
What we took away from Micromobility America
This year, Micromobility America felt more authentic and focused than in the past. Innovations are clearly driving the industry forward, refining e-scooters into a more dependable and appealing mode of transport. And riders are now viewing e-scooters as a serious, long-term mode of transport rather than a temporary convenience. But what stood out the most was the strong focus on quality. Through countless conversations, it became clear that riders are prioritising durability, safety, and performance over just an entry level scooter.
When we first introduced VMAX to the U.S. market in October 2023, we set out to make a lasting impression, and our journey has only just begun. Seeing the momentum at Micromobility America reinforces our belief that the future of e-scooters lies with brands like ours. We’ll stay committed to providing exceptional quality and value, backed by a two year warranty and an efficient repair and customer support network across the US.
In a couple of weeks, from January 7-10, we’ll be showcasing several new products at CES in Las Vegas. Stay tuned and visit our booth (#11015) if you’ll be in town.
