It is easy to disregard the impact of electric scooters on society, but taking a closer look informs you of their role in revolutionizing local travel. So, when were electric scooters invented? Well, for years, they have provided a convenient and eco-friendly means of transportation to millions of people globally. Besides reducing pollution, this efficient transport mode plays a vital role in reducing traffic and road congestion.
Due to the rife misinformation about the origin of electric scooters, we have decided to set the record straight. In the next few minutes, we’ll discuss the history of electric scooters, from the start to the developmental phases. Also, we will discuss the subject in terms of its role in urbanization and reduced environmental impact. Furthermore, this article offers a glimpse into the future given the advancement in technology and its impact on urban mobility. So, join us as we uncover the facts behind the origin of electric scooters as well as their prospects.
Exactly, when were electric scooters invented? Let’s discuss it below.
History of Electric Scooters: Invention and Development
To know when were electric scooters invented, let’s explore the history of electric scooters:
Invention
Due to the recent surge in popularity, it is logical to assume electric scooters are a novel idea. But it would shock you if you learned that the invention predates that of the first car. Yes, we’re talking about the early 1800s. However, permeation into the mainstream market did not happen until the early 20th century.
In 1817, a German inventor, Baron Karl von Drais De Sauerbrun, came through with the Velocipede, the first wooden bicycle or scooter with a steerable wheel. This invention became the touchstone for subsequent creations. In other words, the Velocipede inspired several creators, and the ensuing research race set the stage for the present-day electric scooter.
Now, to the big question: When were electric scooters invented? The exact date is somewhat unclear. There were several inventions through the course of the mid- to late-19th and early-20th centuries. However, the earliest patent right for electric motorcycles was given to Ogden Bolton Jr. in 1895. Two years later, Hosea W. Libbey was also granted one.
According to Ogden’s report: “My invention relates to an improvement in electric bicycles, and it consists in, first, a revolving armature carried by the wheel, the field magnet, and the operating parts enclosed within an outer ring… third, the battery, the rheostat placed upon the handlebar, the bearing surfaces upon the post, the contact points, and the conducting wires which connect the parts, all of which will be more fully described hereinafter.”
Drawing an inference from the above, electric bicycles were already available. By 1913, Arthur Hugo Cecil Gibson had filed an application for the “Self-Propelled Vehicle” (Autoped). However, it didn’t reach the mainstream market until 1916 due to patent rights delays. Despite its popularity, it wasn’t a commercial success, and the company folded up in 1921.
Developmental Phases
1910s–1920s
The success of the gas-powered scooter, Autoped, in the 1910s was an inspiration for many inventors. However, these attempts at creating motorized or electric scooters suffered significant challenges, including high production costs, commercialization issues, World War I, and the Great Depression. By implication, the development of electric scooters was pretty slow because many producers and companies were forced to close down.
1930s–1940s
By the 1930s, fresh efforts to reintroduce electric scooters to the public began materializing. But, during this time, the military mostly favored electric scooters. In Belgium, for example, during the German Occupation, the government imposed a fuel rationing policy to conserve resources. In a bid to work around this new reality, the Limelette Brothers (Maurice and Albert) founded SOCOVEL (Société pour l’étude et la Construction de Véhicules Electriques) in 1938, a school dedicated to the study and construction of electric vehicles. By 1942, the first line of electric scooters had been developed. This invention featured six-volt batteries sitting comfortably in the center trunk of the motor.
In the same vein, the United States also had its own version of a fuel rationing policy. This led the likes of Merle Williams to get creative. He created a two-wheeled electric motorcycle with a towed trailer. Due to growing demand, he partnered with some local businesses and started his company, Marketeer, in 1946.
1950s–1970s
Like the 1920s, the 1950s were another period of silence for electric scooters. However, by the mid-to-late 1960s, the rave returned due to the technological advancement at the time. Through the efforts of scientists like Lewis Urry, Karl Kordesch, Floyd Cramer, etc., hybrid scooters became a thing.
In 1957, Kordesch and Urry, through the Union Carbide Corporation, filed for U.S. patent rights for the alkaline battery, which were not granted until 1960. Through the course of the decade, the invention underwent several modifications due to low shelf-life issues and mercury-reduction legislation. By 1967, they had invented the first hybrid scooters featuring nickel-cadmium and fuel-cell battery technologies. In that same year, the Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company, at the instance of Floyd Clymer, showcased its electric bike prototype, the Papoose.
The 1970s saw the emergence of full-blown commercial electric scooters. During this time, scooters had become street-legal and an economically viable business niche. From this time on, businesses did so well that they could be sustained over decades. Mike Corbin introduced the first-ever lead-acid battery-powered electric bike, Quicksilver. With this bike, he set the world’s electric bike speed record at about 165mph in 1974. By 1975, he had made his commercial debut with the City Bike in partnership with Yardney Electric.
1980s–2000s
These were the years when environmental friendliness and an emphasis on carbon footprint reduction blossomed. As a result, it was no longer a question of whether or not to create electric vehicles but how to make them work.
Moreover, the momentum was maintained throughout the 80s, but the decade was the decade of some real breakthroughs in the sustainability of electric scooters. In 1991, Lithium-ion batteries were invented by Stanley Whittingham and his associates, Akira Yoshino and John Goodenough. This invention offers a more robust energy storage capacity and faster charging times. More importantly, it was far more eco-friendly than the nickel-cadmium alternative. By 1996, Peugeot had already launched its line of electric scooters, Scoot’Elec. However, they did not feature Lithium-ion batteries until the 2000s.
Today, the rebirth of the kick scooter by Arthur Hugo Cecil Gibson is attributed to Wim Oubuter, founder of Micro Mobility Systems. As far back as 1990, he had already completed the two-wheel, foldable, short-distance electric scooter. He did not get his big break until 1998 at the International Sports Fair (ISPO) in Germany. By the next year, he had founded his own company and discontinued the three-wheeler he had presented at the Fair. For a while, the bulk of his effort in the subsequent years was on the two-wheeler he invented in 1990. By 2001, several inventions had already materialized. Some of the most notable are Go-Ped’s Hoverboard and Dean Kamen’s Segway.
All in all, many changes happened after electric scooters were invented.
Electric Scooters in Modern Society
Now that you have discovered when were electric scooters invented, let’s now discuss the stand of electric scooters in modern society.
Electric scooters are quite popular today due to the value they offer to a wide range of people, including students and tourists. If you’ve been to any core urban center recently, you’ve probably seen many scooters around parks, sidewalks, etc. While this popularity is significant, there is a likelihood of market oversaturation. To do damage control, companies are floating the idea of “rental” within cities. For example, companies like Superpedestrian, Spin, Lime, and Bird recently partnered to push an Uber-like system. In this case, riders locate scooters, unlock them via a smartphone app, ride to their destination, and park at designated places for the next rider. With this shared mobility model, everybody doesn’t need to own a scooter.
Modern Electric Scooters vs. Older Electric Scooters
Modern electric scooters are different from the early ones in several ways. First, they are far less heavy and crude and perform for longer (thanks to lithium-ion batteries). The developmental phases of electric scooters were a progression from human to gas-powered and hybrid models featuring nickel-cadmium batteries. Today, electric scooters have smartphone connectivity, LED lights, fast charging, etc.
Unlike early ones that took over 12 hours to fully charge, modern electric scooters only need 6–8 hours to fully charge. However, charging times may differ significantly depending on the battery capacity and charger type. Regardless, charge your scooter ONLY with the charger that comes with it.
There’s no single, one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as there are several deciding factors. Typically, depending on the type, electric scooters travel between 15 and 40 miles on a single charge. However, high speeds, headlights, rough terrain, Bluetooth connectivity, and music can significantly reduce this travel span.
Conclusion: Future Prospects of Electric Scooters
There you have it! When were electric scooters invented? Electric scooters are here to stay, thanks to the relentless commitment of inventors. The future is promising given the industry’s evolution and momentum. Battery technology advancements over the years have seen the creation of more efficient energy storage so that riders can travel long distances without worry. With engineers and creators constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation and the growing net-zero coalition, we can expect to see more micro-mobility companies in the future.
Hi! My name is Johnathan, and I am the creator of ScooterAdvice360.com. Having been riding motor scooters and bikes for over 20 years, I have picked up a few things! I ran my own scooter store in Florida, selling all manner of motor scooters, mobility scooters, hoverboards, e-scooters and accessories, from Forzas to Vipers, Hellcats to Vespas.
Here, at ScooterAdvice360.com, I want to ensure everyone has access to the information that they need to enjoy their bikes and scooters for longer.
