Federal Government Plans New Liability Rules for E-Scooters

The Federal Government presented a draft law for the re-regulation of liability for e-scooters in the Bundestag on June 11, 2026. The aim is to improve the legal framework for compensation claims in accidents involving electric micro-vehicles. The draft was subsequently referred to the relevant committees. A central element of the law is the introduction of owner liability.

This regulation is intended to hold operators of e-scooter rental fleets more accountable. Until now, it has often been difficult for victims to identify a responsible contact person, as owners and riders are frequently not the same. The Federal Government argues that the economic benefits of sharing services lie with the operators. Therefore, they should also be liable for the risks of operation. The new regulation could lead to victims being able to assert compensation claims more easily.

Stricter rules are also planned for e-scooter users. In the future, there will be liability for so-called presumed fault. This means that riders must prove that they are not at fault in the event of an accident. This regulation reverses the previous burden of proof and could align liability for e-scooter accidents with the liability rules for other motor vehicles. The necessity of these changes is underscored by the increasing number of accidents since the introduction of the Electric Small Vehicles Regulation in 2019.

According to official statistics, the number of accidents involving e-scooters rose from 5,860 in 2020 to 12,509 in 2024. Additionally, the number of regulated damage cases in the insurance industry increased, rising from around 1,150 cases in 2020 to about 5,000 in 2023. The Federal Government sees the evidence situation for victims as particularly problematic, as rental scooters often involve changing users. The new liability rules are also intended to improve the chances for victims.

So far, many compensation claims have failed because concrete fault had to be proven. With rental e-scooters, this is often difficult, as the riders are hard to identify. The Federal Government plans to implement the new regulations during the course of 2026. This could represent a significant improvement for the legal situation of victims and increase the accountability of e-scooter rental fleet operators. The draft law is now being further discussed in the committees of the Bundestag.

The Federal Government expects that the new regulations will help increase road safety and strengthen the rights of victims. The introduction of owner liability could also impact the insurance industry, as operators of e-scooter fleets may have to pay higher insurance premiums to cover the new liability risks. The Federal Government has emphasized that the reform is necessary to meet the challenges of the growing market for electric micro-vehicles. The legal framework is to be adapted to the reality of e-scooter operations. The discussion about e-scooter liability is part of a broader approach to improving traffic safety in Germany.

The Federal Government plans to take further measures to enhance road safety. The new liability rules could also lead operators of e-scooter fleets to raise their safety standards to minimize the risk of accidents. This could ultimately lead to safer use of e-scooters in urban areas. The Federal Government has announced that it will keep the public informed about the progress of implementing the new regulations. A specific timeline for implementation is expected in the coming months. The number of accidents involving e-scooters has more than doubled since 2019, highlighting the urgency of the reform.