Electric Scooters & Mopeds
Electric scooters and mopeds represent some of the most accessible and widely adopted forms of electrified transport. While the term "scooter" can cause confusion, there are two very different categories: road-legal scooters/mopeds designed for everyday commuting (often in Vespa-style form factors), and kick scooters (stand-up, toy-like, or rental fleet types) meant for short urban trips on sidewalks or bike lanes. This page focuses primarily on the street-legal road scooters and mopeds that serve as practical alternatives to cars and motorcycles.
Electrification of scooters and mopeds is advancing faster than many other transport categories due to their affordability, compact size, and suitability for dense urban environments. Road-legal scooters and mopeds are replacing ICE models in Asia and Europe at scale, while stand-up e-scooters have become common in cities worldwide for short trips. As battery costs decline and urban mobility regulations evolve, electric scooters and mopeds will continue to play a key role in sustainable, last-mile, and personal transport solutions.
2025-2026 list of all electric moped & scooters for street use.
| Brand | Model | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Ather | 450 | India |
| Boom | Cirkit | China |
| Can-Am | CT1 | Canada |
| CSC | Wiz | USA |
| Daymak | EM2 | EM3 | USA |
| Doohan | I-series | China |
| eDrift | Fat City | Fat Club | USA |
| Etergo | AppScooter | Netherlands |
| GigaByke | Groove | USA |
| Gogoro | S-series | USA |
| KYMCO | Like EV | India |
| NIU | MQi- | NQi- | UQi-series | China |
| Vectrix | VX-series | VT-1 | Poland |
| Vespa | Elettrica | Italy |
| Zapp | i300 | USA |
| Zebra | USA | |
| Zoom | USA |
Terminology & Definitions
| Category | Definition | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Scooter (Road Use) | Step-through frame, smaller wheels, upright seating. Designed for commuting and urban travel, typically 50–80 mph top speed depending on class. | Examples include Vespa Elettrica, NIU, Gogoro. Require registration and license in most regions. |
| Kick Scooter (Stand-Up) | Compact, stand-up e-scooters designed for sidewalks, bike paths, or “last-mile” commuting. Typically foldable, lightweight, and capped at 15–20 mph. | Often deployed in shared rental fleets (Bird, Lime). These are not street-legal motorcycles and should not be confused with road scooters. |
| Moped | Smaller, lighter scooter-like vehicles with limited top speed (usually = 30 mph / 45 km/h). May not require a full motorcycle license in some regions. | Popular in Europe and Asia for low-cost, short-distance mobility. Electrified mopeds are rapidly replacing ICE versions in cities. |
FAQ: Electric Scooters & Mopeds
What’s the difference between a scooter and a moped?
A scooter typically has higher speed capability (50+ mph), larger motors, and requires a motorcycle license in most regions. Mopeds are smaller, capped at ~30 mph, and may be ridden with lighter licensing depending on local laws.
Are stand-up e-scooters considered the same as road scooters?
No. Stand-up e-scooters are not designed for road use and usually have speed caps for safety. They’re considered micro-mobility devices rather than vehicles.
Which regions are leading in electric scooter adoption?
Asia (particularly China, India, and Taiwan) leads by volume, while Europe has seen strong growth due to city policies favoring low-emission commuting. North America is expanding through shared e-scooter fleets and premium urban models.
What Does "Moped" Really Mean?
The word moped comes from a combination of “mo”tor + “ped”als. Originally, mopeds were small motorized bicycles equipped with pedals that could be used for starting the engine or providing auxiliary propulsion. This design was common in Europe from the 1940s-1970s.
Today, the definition has evolved. In most regions, “moped” refers to a vehicle class rather than a literal pedal-equipped design. Most new mopeds no longer have pedals and visually resemble small scooters, though some electric models retain pedals for regulatory compliance. In everyday use, the term is often applied interchangeably with “scooter,” but technically they represent distinct legal categories in many jurisdictions.
