Bought a 2000 W e-scooter and rode it: Police confiscated it
A 22-year-old man fell off the scooter and was injured, and police determined the vehicle had more than three times the legally permitted power.
A 22-year-old man fell off the scooter and was injured, and police determined the vehicle had more than three times the legally permitted power.
A 22-year-old man lost his balance while riding an electric scooter and fell onto the road with it. Both he and the scooter were injured, but that wasn't the only issue police discovered after the accident.
Specifically, their scooter did not meet the prescribed standards for a personal mobility device. According to the Road Traffic Safety Act, an electric scooter may have a continuous electric motor power of up to 600 W and a maximum design speed of 25 km/h.
The scooter in this case had a whopping 2000 W, which is more than three times the legal limit. Because it exceeded the permitted values and did not fall into another legal vehicle category, it was not allowed to be used on public roads.
As a result, police confiscated the scooter from the 22-year-old. Additionally, electric scooters are not allowed to carry passengers, and police specifically highlight this prohibition while emphasizing the importance of wearing protective gear.
The problem is that very powerful electric scooters can be found for sale. Therefore, police advise citizens to always check the continuous motor power and maximum design speed before purchasing, as availability in a store does not automatically guarantee permission to ride in public traffic.
This case raises a crucial question for anyone considering buying a more powerful model: before shelling out several hundred or several thousand euros, they should check whether they are even allowed to use it where they intended to ride.
