London’s rental e-scooter trial has moved into its third phase with Voi and Lime to continue operating the service for the next two years.
The UK capital’s shared e-scooter scheme launched in 2021. Its first phase ran until September 2023, its second until August 2026 and its third now underway until May 2028 – the current expiry date of the UK’s national rental e-scooter trials.
As the capital’s scooter scheme settles into Phase 3, Transport for London (TfL) argues that the next two years will continue to gather the evidence needed to shape future e-scooter legislation.
“This next phase will help us build an even stronger understanding about how rental e-scooters can safely operate in London – supporting future decisions by Government while ensuring any future framework benefits users, local communities as well as the wider transport system,” said Helen Sharp, TfL’s E-scooter Trial Lead.
“With greater clarity emerging around the future regulatory landscape – including the potential for TfL to regulate dockless e-bikes in the future – this contract provides an invaluable opportunity to work closely with boroughs and operators, test new approaches and build the evidence needed to shape the future of micromobility in London.”
Evidence emerges but legislation lags
E-scooters are only permitted to be ridden in the UK through national rental trials while private e-scooters are illegal to use on public roads.
The UK introduced its rental e-scooter trials in July 2020. Since then, the trials have been extended five times with the latest extension in place until May 2028.
The Department for Transport said at the time of the fifth extension that it would help fill remaining “evidence gaps” around e-scooter safety, infrastructure integration and the impact on local communities.
While the extensions are welcome – because an expired trial would ultimately force rental operators out of the UK – the industry has long called for permanent legislation to provide stability and clarity on the UK as a micromobility market with commercial promise.
The regulatory uncertainty continues as trial data proves demand for shared e-scooters. During Phase 2, which lasted for nearly three years, six million rental e-scooter journeys were made across the capital. Compared with Phase 1, average weekly journeys increased by 58% and average daily journeys grew by 59%.
This July, more than 340,000 shared e-scooter trips were made, marking the most trips in a month since the trial began in 2021.
Meanwhile, the data on safety is reassuring. TfL has confirmed that there have been zero fatalities involving a shared e-scooter in the capital since the trial began.
In Phase 1, 0.001% of all trips resulted in serious injury. Between September 2023 to September 2024 – the first year of Phase 2 – this fell to 0.0004%. This again fell to 0.0007% in the second year of Phase 2.
What to expect from Phase 3
According to TfL, Phase 3 will examine customer attitudes towards e-scooters as well as the equality impacts, commercial viability and new technologies.
Voi and Lime are to introduce new vehicle technologies around tandem and pavement riding as well as parking accuracy. Both operators will be bringing their latest models to the market.
“Phase 3 is an opportunity to build on the strong demand for rental e-scooters in London and continue our partnership with TfL and London’s boroughs,” said Alice Pleasant, Lime’s Deputy Head of Government Relations in the UK.
“We’re proud to have been part of the trial since it began and look forward to working with TfL to improve awareness, introduce new technology and enhance the rider experience, while encouraging responsible riding.”
Harry Foskin, Senior Public Policy Manager at Voi, said that the operator has seen London’s rental scheme grow into a “genuinely trusted” part of the city’s transport mix, arguing this is down to the “strength” of its work with TfL and London boroughs.
“As we look ahead, we’re excited to bring newer vehicles and smarter safety technology to London, making every journey even safer and more reliable. This is a huge vote of confidence in what we’ve built together and we can’t wait to keep raising the bar for micromobility in the capital.”
For London, the progress is welcome as Phase 3 offers two more years to refine how shared e-scooters operate. At a national level, the industry still awaits that evidence to turn into permanent legislation, with no firm timetable in hand beyond the government’s promise to act “when Parliamentary time allows”.
