While visiting Taiwan I took a liking to the new electric scooters they had and the battery swapping stations. I could see it as a way to speed up fueling options for electric cars in other parts of the world.
However, as I looked into it more the way the pricing structure for both the scooters and the batteries was akin to how cell phone plans were back in the early 2000’s.
First, you don’t really own the scooter (more like a down payment and rental). Second, you’re allotted only so many miles per month on your scooter, which is tracked by your battery/scooter. Go over your mileage-bam higher fees.
The whole structure was such a monetary killer for most people because the scooters were more expensive than traditional gas ones and the mileage tracking made it difficult for families to save money. The miles were use it or lose it.
I’m sure over time, as more companies enter the market the pricing structure will change again, but it was a stiff reminder that even when companies provide green options the ability to make the most amount of money from it will be the driving factor.
I just worry we will see a similar version of this in other parts of the world in the future. I’m not opposed to pay by the mile/kilometer, but I don’t think it’s fair to charge for something that is not used or to charge a higher rate for going over a theoretical limit.