Gas (Petrol) scooter sales decline in Europe as electric bicycle and motorcycle sales soar
New figures report (http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news-general-news/bottom-falls-out-european-scooter-sales) that sales of gas-powered scooters and motorcycles dropped by 6.1% in the first quarter of 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017. The largest decline in sales has been attributed to smaller scooters and mopeds below 50cc. Sales of scooters and mopeds under 50cc have dropped by 40.2% over the same period. In France, which is the largest moped market in Europe, sales dropped even further by 41.5%.
One of the biggest factors affecting the drop in gas-powered scooter sales is the simultaneous jump in electric scooter sales. During the same period, sales and registrations of electric mopeds, motorcycles and quads in Europe increased by a massive 51.2%. The total volume of these two-wheeled EV sales is still much lower than gas-powered scooters, but the trends indicate that small EVs are catching up to their ICE-powered cousins.
Of course, scooters are used in Europe a lot for congested urban commuting over relatively short distances so replacement with electric alternatives (scooter or electric bicycle) are a perfect fit. My last visit to Paris in 2015 saw not just entire sides of streets dedicated to scooter parking but also many bays dedicated to electric car charging on the street.
See https://electrek.co/2018/05/11/gas-powered-scooters-replaced-by-electric-motorcycles/
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Gas scooter sales decline in Europe as electric bicycle and motorcycle sales soar Gas-powered scooters, much like fine wines, thin cigarettes and fresh baguettes, are one of those quintessentially European sights. But now that might be changing (for scooters, at least). And EVs … |