How to Build an E-Scooter App: Essential Guide

Let’s take a look at regional market insights:

• Statzon reports that Asia-Pacific dominates the global market due to high urbanization rates and large populations, particularly in countries like China and India. For instance, China has about 350 million e-scooters in 2024.
• According to Statista, the user base in Europe is forecasted to reach 42.1 million by 2024, with Germany, France, and Spain being the largest markets.
• As reported by Statzon, the number of e-scooters in Europe could reach 600,000 by 2024.
• Statista reports that the e-scooter user base in North America is expected to reach 33 million by 2029, with New York and San Francisco leading the trend.

E scooter sharing app development usually involves two main panels: the User Panel and the Admin Panel.

• User Panel: Provides a user-friendly interface for riders to locate, book, and unlock scooters, as well as manage payments, ride history, and personal settings.
• Admin Panel: Offers a comprehensive dashboard for fleet operators and administrators to manage the entire scooter fleet, including tracking scooter locations, monitoring battery levels, handling user complaints, and managing revenue.

📌 Key players in the e-scooter sharing app market are Bird, Lime, Spin, and Lyft.

E-Scooter Companion Apps

E-scooter companion or control apps are primarily designed for individual e-scooter owners rather than those using shared fleets. These apps are often bundled with specific e-scooter brands and offer additional features that help users manage their scooters effectively.

📌 Key players in the e-scooter control app market are Xiaomi, Ninebot, Isinwheel, and Pure. We’re also proud to be the tech partner of Egret, the innovative e-scooter manufacturer based in Germany. We’ll tell you more about this case study at the end of the article.

How They Work (after you buy the e-scooter):

1. Open the App: Download and launch the app on your smartphone.
2. Connect to Scooter: Register your e-scooter on the app and use BLE to pair it with your scooter.
3. Manage Settings: Control settings such as locking/unlocking, adjusting riding modes, and changing display metrics (e.g., kilometers vs. miles) directly through the app.
4. Enjoy the ride!

E-Scooter Rental Apps

E-scooter sharing apps connect multiple users to a network of available scooters, necessitating a more complex technological infrastructure.

How They Work:

1. Open the App: Launch the app, and sign up with your details and payment information.
2. Find and Book a Scooter: Use GPS and maps to locate and reserve an available scooter near you.
3. Unlock the Scooter: Scan a QR code or use NFC to unlock the scooter.
4. Ride: Navigate with GPS, track your ride in real-time, and receive updates through push notifications about battery status or route reminders.
5. End the Ride: Park the scooter in a designated area, end the ride in the app, and pay based on usage.
6. Provide Feedback: Report issues or provide feedback through the app.

• Insurance Policies and Liability Coverage. You must have insurance to cover liabilities for accidents or damages, protecting both users and your company.

🟢 Advice: Partner with an insurance provider to create a policy covering riders, vehicles, and third parties. Display insurance details in your app for user peace of mind.

If you're interested in developing a custom solution for insurance, you can also make a car insurance app tailored to your business needs.

• Data Protection and Privacy Regulations. Electric scooter sharing and companion apps must comply with data protection laws such as GDPR.

🟢 Advice: During electric scooter app development, implement end-to-end encryption and ensure that your app has clear privacy policies.

• Parking and Usage Restrictions in Urban Areas. Cities may have designated zones for parking e-scooters to avoid clutter.

🟢 Advice: Use in-app maps to direct riders to parking zones and integrate penalties for improper parking to ensure compliance with urban restrictions.

📌 Balancing these pros and cons is key to successful e-scooter control or electric scooter rental app development.

Ready to tap into the growing e-scooter market? Contact us today to develop a cutting-edge app tailored to your business needs!

Battery Management and Range Estimation

Effective battery management is crucial for preventing unexpected breakdowns in rental scooters and for helping users of control apps monitor their scooter’s battery life.

Solution: Integrate real-time battery monitoring systems and provide users with clear range estimates to optimize scooter usage and enhance overall reliability.

Incorporating EV charging app development services can enhance e-scooter apps, simplifying access to charging solutions for both fleet operators and personal scooter owners.

Scalability and High User Demand

As user bases grow, both rental and control apps need to handle increased data loads efficiently.

Solution: Design a scalable backend architecture capable of dynamically adjusting to high traffic and data volume, ensuring smooth performance and a seamless experience regardless of demand levels.

Integration with Payment Gateways

Secure and seamless payment processing is vital for managing rental app transactions and any in-app purchases or premium features in companion apps.

Solution: Implement robust payment gateway integration that supports multiple payment methods and adheres to security standards to protect user financial information.

Ensuring User and Vehicle Safety

Safety features are important for protecting riders and ensuring scooter reliability in rental apps, as well as for providing alerts and monitoring for personal scooters.

Solution: Develop features such as speed monitoring, safety reminders, and emergency alerts, and ensure regular maintenance to uphold safety standards.

Dealing with Vandalism and Theft

Minimize the impact of vandalism and theft on rental fleets, and enhance security for personal scooters in companion apps.

Solution: During e-scooter sharing app development, incorporate anti-theft measures like GPS tracking, geofencing, and remote locking. Regularly update security protocols and consider additional features for personal scooter protection.

Maintenance and Fleet Management

Efficient maintenance and fleet management are key for operational success in sharing apps and for managing personal scooter conditions.

Solution: Use automated tools to monitor health, schedule maintenance, and manage repairs. Provide maintenance reminders and tracking features to support personal scooter upkeep.

Optimizing App Performance for Multiple Devices

Ensure consistent e-scooter app performance across various devices and platforms.

Solution: During scooter app development, test the app on different devices and operating systems, optimizing performance to deliver a smooth and reliable user experience.

Handling User Data Privacy and Security

Protect sensitive user data in rental apps due to transactions and personal information, and secure data related to personal scooters.

Solution: Implement strong data encryption, secure authentication methods, and comply with data protection regulations such as GDPR to safeguard user privacy and security.

Onboarding

Guiding new users through the app's key features helps them get started quickly. You can implement an interactive onboarding experience with tooltips and brief tutorials that help users understand how to find and unlock scooters, manage scooter settings, and make payments.

Real-Time Scooter Availability and GPS Integration

During e-scooter sharing app development, you should integrate a GPS feature that shows available scooters nearby in real-time. For companion apps, GPS integration helps users track their scooters' location and monitor real-time ride status.

QR Code Scanning

QR codes simplify unlocking scooters in rental apps, allowing users to unlock a scooter quickly via their smartphone camera. In e-scooter companion apps, QR codes can pair the scooter with the app, ensuring a fast and seamless connection between the user's scooter and the app.

Smart Lock Technology

App developers can integrate smart lock technology with Bluetooth or the Internet of Things (IoT), and users can lock/unlock their scooters securely. In rental apps, this ensures security during rides, while in control apps, it provides a convenient way to manage personal scooters.

In-App Payments

In the electric scooter rental app development, secure and flexible payment options are vital for user retention, offering credit cards, digital wallets, or subscription-based payments. In companion apps, in-app payments may be used for premium features or accessories, requiring secure and fast payment integration.

Push Notifications and Alerts

For rental apps, push notifications can include ride status, promotions, or available scooters nearby. In e-scooter control apps, notifications can alert users about their scooter's battery status, security updates, or maintenance reminders.

Battery Status and Range Indicators

E-scooter apps should display real-time battery levels to help users plan rides and avoid interruptions due to low battery. This feature enhances reliability for rentals and provides valuable insights for personal scooter management.

If you’re interested in expanding your mobility business further, consider learning how to make an EV charging station app.

Over-The-Air (OTA) Updates

Providing OTA updates benefits rental and companion apps, enabling e-scooter application developers to remotely update the scooter's software. This ensures that scooters always have the latest firmware, adding new features or improving existing ones without requiring manual intervention.

Ride History and Usage Analytics

Ride history and analytics improve the experience for both companion and e-scooter sharing apps. Rental app operators use analytics to optimize fleet usage and engagement, while control app users benefit from detailed ride history, including distance, duration, and battery consumption.

User Reviews and Support Features

User feedback is crucial in both types of e-scooter apps. Reviews allow users to rate their experience, and in-app support, such as FAQs or live chat, ensures quick assistance. Implementing these features helps maintain service quality and user satisfaction.

Step 2: Define the Main Features and Functionality

Define the core app features such as scooter availability, real-time GPS tracking, QR code scanning, and in-app payments. Additional functionalities like push notifications, ride history, and smart lock integration can improve the user experience.

🎯 Focus on delivering a smooth and intuitive experience for new and existing users.

For a more detailed discussion on key hardware features of e-scooter sharing apps, check out our guide on how to make an EV rental app. If you're interested in learning more about the main features of rental apps, feel free to read our article on how to build a car rental app.

Step 3: Design UI/UX

Your app’s success largely depends on how easy and enjoyable it is. Focus on creating an intuitive and visually appealing UI/UX. Important aspects of the design phase include:

• Wireframes and Prototypes: Use tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD to create wireframes and interactive prototypes. This allows you to visualize the flow before moving to development.
• User-Centered Design: Design user journeys that require minimal clicks for tasks like unlocking an e scooter, checking battery status, or making payments.
• Responsive Design: Ensure your app functions seamlessly across different devices and screen sizes. This is especially important for companion apps used in both mobile phones and vehicle-mounted consoles.

🎯 Clear, easy-to-navigate interfaces lead to higher user retention and satisfaction.

Step 4: Develop E-Scooter App

Start developing the app using the chosen tech stack. As was mentioned in the Tech Stack section, React Native is a great choice to reduce time and costs for cross-platform deployment. Below are key components of the scooter app development process:

• Frontend Development: Build the user interface and integrate BLE for scooter communication and GPS tracking.
• Backend Development: Ensure scalability with technologies like Node.js or Firebase, and implement payment gateways.
• Integration: Add real-time functionalities like BLE, GPS tracking, and payment systems.

🎯 A well-architected backend and a responsive frontend are critical for real-time operations and user satisfaction.

If you’d like to dive deeper into how to develop IoT applications, read our article on this topic.

Step 5: Conduct Quality Assurance

Quality Assurance is a crucial step to ensure the app works as intended across devices and real-world scenarios. During electric scooter app development, focus on:

• Functionality Testing: Verify that core features like unlocking scooters via QR codes, GPS tracking, and payments function smoothly.
• BLE Connectivity: Ensure stable Bluetooth connections between the app and e-scooters.
• Load Testing: Simulate high traffic to test server resilience and scalability.
• Beta Testing: Test the app with a small group of users to gather feedback on the user experience and fix any bugs before the public launch.

🎯 A well-tested app is key to delivering a bug-free experience and building user trust.

Step 6: Deploy the App

After testing, deploy your app to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Ensure compliance with:

• App Store Guidelines: Follow policies for data privacy, user consent, and local regulations.
• API Monitoring: Set up systems to monitor performance and uptime after deployment.

Step 7: Launch and Market the App

Prepare a strong marketing strategy to drive downloads and engagement:

• Pre-Launch Buzz: Generate excitement through early access programs or social media.
• Launch Campaign: Use ads and promotions to target your audience.
• User Incentives: Offer promotions like discounted rides for new users.

🎯 Good marketing ensures a successful app launch and attracts a broad user base.

Step 8: Maintain and Update the App

Post-launch, continuous app maintenance is essential to improve features, add functionalities, and fix bugs. App development services should also include ongoing activities:

• Monitoring: Keep an eye on app performance metrics such as crash reports, user feedback, and server load.
• Regular Updates: Push updates to enhance the app experience, improve security, and stay compatible with the latest OS versions.
• Customer Support: Offer 24/7 support through chat or email to resolve user issues promptly.

🎯 A well-maintained app ensures long-term success and customer loyalty.

Third-Party API and Payment Gateway Integration

To handle in-app payments and offer seamless transactions, you'll need to integrate with a payment gateway. Additionally, integrating third-party APIs for maps and real-time notifications increases the complexity and cost. The more third-party services you use, the more you’ll spend on development services and licensing fees.

Non-functional Requirements

Non-functional requirements like performance optimization, accessibility, and security are essential for scaling the app. While they don’t directly add features, they improve the user experience and ensure the app’s reliability. Implementing data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and optimizing app speed will contribute to the overall cost but are necessary for a high-quality product.

Development Team

The size and expertise of your e-scooter companion or electric scooter rental app development team will also affect the cost. You can build an in-house team or work with an outsourced development agency. The latter often offers a range of expertise, from mobile application development to UI/UX design and QA. Location also matters — development in Eastern Europe is typically more affordable than in North America or Western Europe.

Maintenance and Post-Launch Support

Once your app is live, you'll need to allocate resources for ongoing maintenance and updates. Regular updates to fix bugs, improve performance, and add new features are essential to keep users engaged. Additionally, server upkeep, customer support, and new feature rollouts all contribute to the post-launch cost.

📌 As these trends continue to shape the industry, e-scooter apps will play an increasingly important role in revolutionizing urban transportation, offering smarter, safer, and more convenient mobility solutions.

Our team developed a custom native module for Bluetooth functionalities, improving the communication speed between the app and scooters. We performed reverse engineering on the OTA protocol to address the update delays, allowing updates to be completed within the scooter’s operational window. This solution enabled smooth interaction across all scooter models, ensuring consistency and user safety.

The latest version of the Egret companion app includes vital functions, such as locking and unlocking the scooter, switching between riding modes (Eco, Tour, or Sport), controlling lights, battery level and charging time report, OTA firmware updates, display customization (km/miles), and changing access codes on some scooter models.

Egret currently has a 4.1 rating on the Google Play Store, and we're working on improving user satisfaction in future updates.