The Bundestag has passed a law change that significantly tightens liability for e-scooter rental companies. From now on, operators of e-scooter fleets must cover accident costs if the actual perpetrator cannot be held accountable. Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) explained: ‘Anyone who makes money renting out e-scooters must also take responsibility for the damage caused by their vehicles.’
The new regulation introduces strict owner liability regardless of fault. In accidents involving parked e-scooters, victims no longer have to prove that a rider parked the vehicle improperly. Previously, those affected often had to bear the costs themselves because e-scooters were exempt from the strict liability rules for motor vehicles.
The background to the law change is the rising number of accidents: the number of accidents involving electric micro-vehicles rose from around 4,000 in 2021 to almost 8,000 in 2024. However, the new rules only apply to ‘self-balancing’ vehicles such as e-scooters and Segways. Ride-on lawnmowers and electric mobility scooters for the disabled are exempt.
Source: www.spiegel.de
