# An Overview of Shared Mobility Operational Models in Europe
## 5 Scooter Sharing
### Operational Challenges of Scooter Sharing in Europe  
In a study conducted by [87], it was shown that while electric scooter sharing services in European cities contribute to reduced urban air pollution due to their zero tailpipe emissions and potential to replace short car trips, they also present notable sustainability challenges. According to research, shared e-scooters have a considerable environmental impact throughout their life cycle. This is mostly because of the emissions produced during the production of the devices and their batteries, as well as during daily collection and charging processes. Life cycle assessments have revealed that, shared e-scooters can produce more greenhouse gas emissions than shared e-bikes or e-mopeds per kilometer. The lifespan of a scooter is a crucial determinant of its sustainability. If vehicles are frequently damaged or withdrawn from service after a short period, the environmental cost per ride increases significantly, potentially resulting in higher overall CO2 emissions than the transport modes they aim to replace.  
Furthermore, [88] emphasizes that the environmental benefits of shared e-scooters are highly sensitive to modal shift patterns and operational practices. Survey results show that a large proportion of e-scooter trips replace walking, cycling, or public transport, while only a minority substitute car travel. This limits their potential to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, even slight adjustments to operational efficiency, such as longer collection routes or shorter vehicle lifespans, might substantially reduce or even eliminate their ecological advantage, according to scenario modeling. For example, if the average lifespan drops to 3000 km or if collection operations become more intensive, shared e-scooters may produce more emissions than they prevent. These findings highlight the importance of improving fleet durability and optimizing daily operations in order to ensure that shared e-scooter systems genuinely contribute to sustainable urban mobility.  
It is still unclear whether shared scooters are profitable. While e-scooter usage has been strong in several European cities (Paris witnessed up to 1.7 million e-scooter excursions in a month), operators have faced challenges due to high equipment turnover and operating costs. Fleet procurement and charging operations require substantial capital, and many companies relied on venture funding during the rapid expansion phase around 2018-2020 [67]. The profitability of these services is uncertain because they must pay for maintenance, charging, insurance, customer service, and fees or revenue-sharing with cities, in addition to their low user revenue. Some cities have begun limiting the number of licensed e-scooter operators and imposing service quality requirements, which, while improving safety and order, can constrain operators' ability to scale and turn a profit [89]. In summary, European scooter sharing services are balancing on a thin line: they must convince cities and the public of their societal benefits (by improving safety and reducing nuisances), while also achieving an operational model that is economically sustainable in the long run.