Shared e-scooter operator Voi saw up to a 44 per cent increase in demand in the UK last month amid the ongoing fuel crisis.
With as many as 90 per cent of petrol retailers claiming that their sites were running dry and queues forming outside, Voi data showed that many people turned towards micromobility in order to get around.
In late September, Voi saw a peak increase in demand of 44 per cent, with a 33 per cent increase in the number of rides completed between 6am and 9am on weekdays.
Voi operates shared e-scooters in 18 towns and cities across the UK, with more than five million journeys completed in the past 12 months.
“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,” said Jack Samler, General Manager at Voi UK and Ireland.
“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.”
Meanwhile, fellow micromobility provider Dott is offering free trips to Londoners until 10 October as a result of the fuel crisis.
Starting on 28 September, NHS health care workers can access unlimited free Dott e-scooter journeys, while other riders have been offered two free trips.
“With the fuel crisis causing congestion across London, we wanted to help people get to where they need to be,” a Dott spokesperson told Zag Daily.
“All our riders are being offered two free trips, and we are making our service free to NHS heath care workers until the 10th October, so that they can make their way across the city free from congestion and without causing pollution.”
