Electric scooters slow down. Fewer units sold and lower purchasing budget: the French market has stalled in 2023 after the euphoria following the pandemic. It still remains at
“high levels”
, according to a report published Tuesday April 16.
The figures compiled by the Federation of Micromobility Professionals (FPMM) and the specialist research firm Smart Mobility Lab nevertheless show the continuation of a clear trend towards
“upgrading”
, already observed in previous years. With 678,000 new electric scooters sold last year, the market recorded a decline of 10.7% compared to 2022. That year, it had already fallen by 16%, breaking the strong increase recorded for five years.
And while in 2022 the market had continued to grow in value to reach 345 million euros, it contracted by almost 20% to 277 million euros last year, according to the FPMM. In addition to the drop in volumes, this phenomenon is due to a drop in the average selling price, of 11% over one year to 408 euros. In 2022, this price had jumped
“by more than 33% due to the increase in supply costs”
, particularly those of maritime freight. However, the entry ticket remains
“above the average price of 2020 (322 euros) and 2021 (341 euros)”
, notes the federation.
More than 3 million scooters sold in three years
In fact, the market's upward trend continued last year. While scooters costing less than 500 euros captured 92% of the market in 2021 and 76% in 2022, they were only at 66% in 2023. Devices worth more than 800 euros represented 11% of sales last year. purchases (+7 points in one year). This reflects, according to Jean Ambert, director of Smart Mobility Lab,
"a market which is becoming more mature (...) when there is renewal, 80% of users move upmarket, with more marked performance criteria"
, while the first purchases are those of a
“discovery”
.
Another sign of the entry into the age of reason, 60% of personal travel devices, including an overwhelming majority of electric scooters, are used for everyday urban journeys, as opposed to walks, explains Jean Ambert to AFP. According to the FPMM and Smart Mobility Lab,
“since the Covid period, from 2020 to 2023, more than 3.25 million units of electric scooters have been sold for a turnover of 1.14 billion euros”
in France.