Initially, there were only a few European cities that banned e-scooters from public transport: Barcelona, London and finally Hamburg. But now many major German cities are obviously following suit. In keeping with spring and the associated increased use of e-scooters.
The best e-scooters / e-scooters
Because Spiegel Online reportsPlease note that it has been on all buses and trains since March 1, 2024 The KVB (Cologne), Rheinbahn (Düsseldorf), DSW21 (Dortmund), Ruhrbahn (Essen) and DVG (Duisburg) can no longer take e-scooters with you. The Wuppertal municipal utilities also imposed a ban and Bochum will follow on April 1st. From April 2, 2024, you will no longer be allowed to transport e-scooters on the subway, bus or tram in Munich, as the Munich transport company announces here:
The Munich Transport Company (MVG) will in future exclude the use of electric scooters – often referred to as e-scooters – on subways, trams and buses as well as subway stations. The regulation comes into force after Easter, on Tuesday, April 2nd, and is based on a recommendation from the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV), which numerous other transport companies are also implementing.
The transport associations and cities are following the recommendation of the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV). The VDV sees a risk of fire and explosion with e-scooters. Due to low safety standards for the lithium-ion batteries installed in e-scooters. The VDV writes:
The reason for this is the low safety standard of the installed lithium-ion batteries and the associated increased risk of fire and explosion as well as the release of smoke gas, which is harmful to health
And further:
The main basis for the recommendation now made is two fire protection assessments by the independent expert STUVAtec (Studiengesellschaft für Tunnel und Verkehrsanlagen mbH). The expert notes that there are currently no sufficiently specific norms and safety standards for the lithium-ion batteries installed in electric scooters, either at national or European level.
There have already been fires and explosions caused by e-scooters in Barcelona, Madrid and London. The ADAC supports the ban on taking along and supports it Fire protection reasons make sense.
E-scooter manufacturers criticize the bans on taking them, for example here on Linkedin.
Incidentally, e-bikes are usually not affected by the bans on taking them on local public transport. Because their batteries are considered safer because their mechanical strength would be checked. The Munich MVG writes:
There are corresponding safety standards for electric wheelchairs, e-bikes or pedelecs and four-wheeled electric vehicles, which are also known as e-scooters. Therefore, these vehicles are exempt from the recommendation if they meet the standards.
