“Urban E-Scooter Market Trends in Russia: Spending, Fleet Growth, and Consumer Preference”

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In June, the market for renting electric scooters in Russia showed noticeable activity, with higher prices appearing mainly in major cities such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, and Kazan. A report from the News daily notes that bank data confirm the rising costs faced by urban riders and renters alike. This trend reflects broader shifts in urban mobility and consumer spending on micro-mobility options during the mid-year period.

Banking statistics reveal that Post Bank clients allocated a total of 2 million rubles to scooter rentals in June, compared with 643,000 rubles in the same month a year earlier. The data illustrate a substantial year over year increase in usage and willingness to pay for on-demand mobility services, signaling heated demand among city dwellers who rely on convenient, short-distance transport options for daily tasks and occasional trips.

The trend of rising expenditures was echoed by the Moscow Credit Bank as well, where customers spent about a quarter more on scooter rentals than in the prior year. This growth points to a lasting shift in consumer behavior toward autonomous, low-commitment transportation alternatives that complement public transit and private car use in urban environments.

Alongside the spend growth, service availability expanded: Moscow reportedly added tens of thousands of new rental scooters, St. Petersburg saw a notable increase as well, and Kazan added several hundred units. The expansion of fleet size aligns with the increased consumer demand observed in financial data and media coverage, suggesting operators are responding to a broader appetite for flexible micromobility options across multiple cities.

Recent information from a joint effort by Sberbank, SberStrakhovanie, and the Rambler&Co media group indicates that nearly half of Russians surveyed—about 46 percent—use electric scooters or hoverboards. When compared with summer 2021, interest in these modes has grown more than two and a half times, illustrating a lasting popularity surge in personal mobility devices among the population. This shift mirrors changes in commuting patterns and leisure activities as urban residents seek efficient ways to navigate city spaces.

Survey results reveal varied use cases: 13 percent of respondents use electric scooters or hoverboards to travel to school or work, while 15 percent incorporate them into their regular weekend routines. About 18 percent ride several times each month, and a portion of respondents—roughly one-sixth—anticipate riding these vehicles more often in the near future. Remarkably, electric scooters dominate preference with 91 percent of respondents choosing them over hoverboards, which attract around 9 percent. This distribution underscores a strong consumer preference for scooters as a practical, everyday mobility solution within urban life.

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