Scooter surge after green light for hundreds more electric vehicles

Norwich is set for a surge in electric scooters, after council bosses gave the green light for the city to get up to 1,000 of the electric vehicles.

The major expansion for the Beryl scooter rental scheme would double the number of vehicles available.

And it would see a number of areas around Norwich which are earmarked for new homes getting access to the vehicles for the first time.

Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure (Image: Norfolk County Council)

Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport at Norfolk County Council, used his powers to confirm the expansion, potentially increasing the number of vehicles to 1,000 from the current 480.

The decision was made with the current trial of the scooters, which started in September 2020, and ended last month.

It means the government will issue a new licence, so the scheme can continue until May 2026.

Beryl scooters launched in Norwich in 2020 (Image: Archant)

The geographical area covered will also be expanded. At the moment, Norwich itself is covered, along with Wymondham and Taverham.

But the expansion would mean scooters would be made available in towns and large villages on the edge of Norwich, such as Costessey, Thorpe End and Rackheath.

The scooters are set to extend into areas where new homes are being built, such as Rackheath (Image: Mike Page)

Officials at County Hall said, in a report confirming the expansion: “It is proposed that the opportunity is taken to increase the maximum number of e-scooter that can be operated in Norwich to 1,000.

“This would be phased on a gradual basis based on bay capacity and the continued safe operation of the scheme.

“This does not mean 1,000 e-scooters will ultimately operate in Norwich, but it provides the ability to do so without seeking additional authorisation from the Department for Transport.”

Council officers said 80,000 people have registered to use the scooters since they were launched.

They said they have removed over 100 tonnes of carbon dioxide since 2020 and it is predicted the extra ones will remove a further 98 tonnes of CO₂ per year.

As one of the government’s trial e-scooter areas, it is legal for registered users with driving licences to rent Beryl scooters and to use them on public roads and cycle lanes.

The use of privately-owned e-scooters on public highways, however, remains illegal and police can issue fines to riders or seize the vehicles.