Germany Tightens E-Scooter Liability Rules

Germany's parliament has approved stricter liability rules for electric scooter rental companies to make it easier for accident victims to obtain compensation as e-scooter crashes continue to rise.

Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig said companies profiting from renting e-scooters should also be responsible for damage caused by their vehicles.

Under the new law, operators of e-scooter fleets will be required to cover accident-related costs if the individual responsible cannot be held legally liable. Victims involved in accidents with parked e-scooters will also no longer have to prove that the vehicle was left in an improper location.

The legislation comes as the number of accidents involving small electric vehicles in Germany has nearly doubled, rising from around 5,900 in 2020 to almost 12,500 in 2024.

Until now, many victims were forced to bear the cost of accidents because e-scooters were exempt from the strict liability rules that apply to other motor vehicles.

The new provisions apply only to self-balancing vehicles such as e-scooters and Segways. Ride-on lawnmowers and mobility scooters used by people with walking difficulties are exempt from the stricter liability requirements.