With the rising concerns that global warming is contributing to extreme weather conditions and rising fuel and vehicle operation costs, more and more people are resorting to e-scooters, albeit with little encouragement from local authorities.
Even in the GCC, including the Sultanate of Oman, e-scooters are increasingly used by a section of expatriates and citizens as they are easy to use, store, and purchase and have comparatively fewer regulatory requirements.
An electric scooter is a plug-in electric vehicle powered by electric power or a combination of batteries.
According to reports, they are eco-friendly, reduce greenhouse gas emissions offer additional advantages such as agility, flexibility, versatility, and eco-friendly.
In commercial districts, including in Dubai and slowly in Muscat, many office goers are using e-scooters for home-to-work transportation.
Apart from being privately owned, in several cities across the world, e-scooters are also available for rent as part of the local government’s smart mobility initiatives to restrict the use of fossil-powered vehicles on short distances.
Speaking to the Observer, Mike, a Filipino expatriate, said he uses the e-scooter to move from his home to his workplace at a leading mall in the city.
He said at least six of his friends in the Sultanate of Oman were using the e-scooter for local mobility.
“These e-scooters are good because I don’t have to bother about getting a license, and it is better to use them than walk in the extreme summer conditions here.”
According to sources in the ROP, e-scooters are not allowed on roads at all times, but they can be used on pavements and sidewalks without causing inconvenience or risks to pedestrians.
Mike added that the Sultanate of Oman is an easy place to operate because of the low population density and pedestrian traffic. “People can easily carry them in a public bus and then travel on it to the workplace from the bus stop.”
According to retailers, the e-scooter market is picking up among youngsters and some expatriates. But they should be careful not to be reckless and put themselves and others on the road at risk.
In the Sultanate of Oman, e-scooters are available online in the price range of RO 150 and RO 250.
The global electric scooter market size was estimated at $20.78 billion in 2021, and the market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8 per cent from 2022 to 2030.
The increasing demand for fuel-efficient vehicles, coupled with growing concerns over greenhouse gas and carbon emissions, is anticipated to drive the adoption of electric scooters (e-scooters) during the forecast period.
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