As we enter the first week of 2026, the electric scooter industry is undergoing a massive transformation. Rapid market growth is now being met with stringent global regulations and a significant shift in manufacturing focus toward affordability and battery safety. From city-wide bans in Europe to major product launches in Asia, this digest covers the critical updates from the last 22 hours and the opening days of the year.
- Bajaj Auto Teases Affordable Chetak Variant
Fresh spy images captured on January 3, 2026, reveal a new, budget-friendly version of the Bajaj Chetak featuring a hub-mounted motor and simplified suspension to compete with entry-level rivals.
Source: Car and Bike - Spain Enforces National E-Scooter Insurance and Plates
As of January 2, 2026, Spain’s DGT requires all personal mobility vehicles to have third-party insurance, reflective vests for riders, and physical registration stickers similar to car license plates.
Source: Gazette Life - Ather Energy Implements New Year Price Hikes
Citing rising raw material costs and global supply chain disruptions, Ather Energy increased prices across its 450 and Rizta series by up to ₹3,000 effective January 2026.
Source: Angel One - Prague Officially Bans Shared E-Scooters from City Center
Following years of safety complaints, Prague’s municipal council has banned shared e-scooters from the UNESCO-listed Old Town and prohibited them from being carried onto the Metro as of January 1.
Source: VisaHQ News - California Senate Bill 1271 Targets Battery Safety
New legislation in California went into effect this week, mandating stricter UL-certification standards for e-scooter batteries to prevent thermal runaway incidents in residential areas.
Source: Local News Matters - Denver Transitions to Veo as Exclusive Micromobility Partner
The City of Denver officially began its transition to Veo as the sole e-scooter operator for 2026, requiring new software integrations to detect and penalize sidewalk riding automatically.
Source: Denverite - Yamaha Confirms 2026 Launch of Aerox E and EC-06
Yamaha India announced its 2026 roadmap on January 3, highlighting the upcoming Aerox E with a 6kWh battery and the practical EC-06 aimed at the commuter segment.
Source: BikeDekho - Cambridge Police Launch Crackdown on Modified E-Scooters
UK authorities in Cambridgeshire reported a new enforcement wave targeting privately owned, high-power “off-road” scooters being used illegally on public pavements and roads.
Source: Micromobility Newsletter - Solid-State Battery Integration Moves to Production
Industry reports for early 2026 indicate that the first wave of graphene-enhanced and solid-state battery scooters are entering the market, promising a 25% increase in energy density.
Source: BHive Moto Shop - Global Market Projected to Hit $60.65 Billion This Year
New financial forecasts released for 2026 suggest the electric scooter sector will see a 22.24% CAGR, driven by the expansion of commercial delivery fleets and last-mile connectivity.
Source: Precedence Research
A Pivot Toward Maturity
The start of 2026 marks the end of the “Wild West” era for micromobility. We are seeing a distinct divergence in the market: while manufacturers like Bajaj and Yamaha are racing to lower the “barrier to entry” with budget models, local governments (particularly in Europe and the U.S.) are raising the “barrier to operation” through mandatory insurance, registration, and strict certification.
The trend for the coming year is clearly defined by standardization. Whether it is the UL-certification mandates in California or the physical license plates required in Spain, the focus has shifted from mere “availability” to “accountability.” For consumers, this means safer, more reliable vehicles, though often at the cost of higher entry prices or stricter local restrictions.