Opinion: Why docking could be a gamechanger for the micromobility in cities
May 14, 2021
min. read
E-scooters have reshaped how commuters, tourists and residents navigate our cities, providing a fun, low-carbon mode of transport. But while the pandemic has seen an upsurge in ridership because scooters offer a socially distanced mode of travel - the fact that they are permitted has not solved the challenges posed by their deployment. Crowded sidewalks, vandalism, charging-related issues, you heard about it already…
We are happy to share insights about the unit economics of docked based scooter/bike sharing operations with the help of our friends from KNOT - innovative company providing docking stations for scooter services.
Docked e-scooters not only remove the obstruction that scooters cause when left on pavements, but also are far less lightly to be vandalised. Another advantage of stations is that operators can provide video and other guidance to counsel users on how to ride safely and helmets can be made available at the stations.
But what about docking infrastructure economics? More investment beforehand for a less operational expenses? Where we can situate the break-even? Find our numbers below!
Free-floating vs. dock-based economics
Docking stations reduce operational costs – scooters are locked and charged at the station – meaning there is no need to employ staff to collect scooters every night to swap batteries. The cost breakdown compared is impressive, operational expenses per scooter goes down from almost 6 € to 1 € per day.
On average it costs €0.03 to charge one docked scooter per day, versus €2-6 for free-floating scooters, when all other operational costs are factored in, and the average docking station’s lifespan is 5 years. Also, scooters will be always fully charged, which means you can guarantee your services all day long, even for scooters with low battery capacity.
Station based services also helps to reduce the vandalism impact, increasing the lifespan of the scooter and reducing the overall maintenance costs.
If we put it into the revenues prospective, the daily revenue per scooter (with 3 rides a day assumption) will be considerably higher, here below a rough calculation made on assumption of 3 rides per scooter a day for a fleet of 250 scooters:
Free-floating vs dock-based economics
Naturally, dock-based solutions require a substantial investment into infrastructure. For 250 scooter network cities would need to install around 60 docking stations with 8 slots each (if you opt for a 100% docked-based network), which represents around 250 000 € including scooter upgrade.
It means, to launch your system, you need to account from 35 to 60% more on the investment side, but you will save 30-70% on daily operations.
The bigger picture
Taking the time to look at the bigger picture can save cities a lot of trouble and money – in just seven to nine months the initial cost of a docking-based system starts to pay off when compared to a free-floating model. This investment is not just financially astute, it also creates infrastructure that can lead to a more secure transit ecosystem where e-scooters can be viewed not as nuisance or novelty but an integral part of the transit network.
But as every city is different, there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. For example, in Strasbourg, KNOT allows users to park two metres around the actual station if it’s full (the City of Strasbourg is against free floating e-scooters and doesn't allow it anywhere else in the city).Having flexible options that suit users’ needs gives cities a real opportunity to make the e-scooter a mode of transport that can be truly embraced.
As more countries and cities across the world look to e-scooters as a solution those responsible for their rollout need to consider how they can impact the change in their mobility ecosystem. Docking offers a wise investment and the chance to cement this micromobility mode into the urban landscape.
Interested in launching your own mobility platform?
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ATOM Connect 2025: Where Europe’s shared mobility leaders meet
👉 ATOM Connect 2025 is an exclusive shared mobility networking event hosted by ATOM Mobility in collaboration with INVERS. This focused gathering will bring together industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers from Europe's car-sharing and car-rental sectors to explore the future of shared mobility.
September 16, 2025
min. read
What happens when professionals from Europe’s car sharing and car rental industries gather under one roof? You get a day filled with fresh ideas, insightful discussions, and valuable connections that help shape the future of mobility. That’s what awaits at ATOM Connect 2025 - a dedicated industry event hosted by ATOM Mobility in partnership with INVERS.
This year’s gathering takes place on October 30, 2025, in Riga, Latvia, at the panoramic top floor of the AC Hotel by Marriott. With views stretching across Riga’s historic Art Nouveau district, the setting offers an inspiring backdrop for meaningful conversations about the next steps in shared mobility.
Date & Time: October 30, 2025, from 15:00 onwards
Location: AC Hotel by Marriott, Riga (top floor with panoramic views)
Hosts: ATOM Mobility & INVERS
Format: Expert talks, interactive Q&A, networking sessions, and evening drinks
Topics covered:
- Market insights from INVERS
- Scaling car sharing businesses
- Digital transformation in rentals
- Corporate mobility opportunities
- Eastern Europe’s shared mobility landscape
Why Attend ATOM Connect 2025?
Learn from industry experts
The agenda is designed to address today’s most relevant mobility challenges. Expect data-driven insights from INVERS, practical strategies for scaling car sharing operations, discussions on digital rental solutions and corporate mobility, plus a closer look at the unique opportunities and challenges in Eastern Europe.
The event will also be joined by BYD, one of the world’s fastest-growing electric vehicle makers, who will showcase their innovative, affordable EVs at our event.
Build valuable connections
ATOM Connect 2025 is a focused gathering that brings together operators, rental businesses, and mobility experts from across Europe. With a mix of talks, networking breaks, and an evening reception, the event offers the perfect setting to exchange experiences, discuss challenges, and explore future partnerships.
Join the Conversation
If you’re active in car sharing or rental industry and want to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market, ATOM Connect 2025 is a must-attend event. Together with INVERS, we’re creating a space where the European shared mobility community can connect, learn, and look toward the future.
👉 Save the date and request your spot today*: https://www.atommobility.com/atom-connect-2025
*Please note: ATOM Connect 2025 is intended for shared car mobility and car rental industry professionals. Registration requests will be reviewed before confirmation.
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Web-booker for Digital Rental: Launching seamless booking from your website
🚗 ATOM Mobility launches a new Web-booker for Digital Rental 🗓️ - letting customers book vehicles directly from the website. Frictionless, branded, and enabled by default for all rental merchants ✅
September 2, 2025
min. read
ATOM Mobility is introducing a new way for users to start their rental journey: the Web-booker widget 🗓️
With this tool, users can book a car (or other vehicle) directly from merchant's website without first downloading the rider app. It creates a smoother entry point for new users while keeping the app central for payments, ID verification, and ride management.
How it works
✅ A dedicated booking link for every merchant
✅ Customers choose area, vehicle, and rental period → confirm booking in seconds
✅ Widget syncs bookings into system automatically
✅ After booking, a QR code + App Store / Google Play links are shown so users can continue in the app
✅ In the mobile app, users finalize payment and ID/driver’s license verification before starting the trip
🎨 The widget matches app’s primary color for a seamless, branded look.
📊 Every booking now shows its Source – App, Web-booker, Dashboard, or API.
👉 Demo it here: app.atommobility.com/rental-widget
Why it matters
Many successful digital rental and mobility platforms combine web and app booking flows to maximize conversion.
Take Turo for example:
- Customers browsing online can instantly reserve a car on turo.com.
- But to unlock the car, upload their driver’s license, and manage the trip, they switch to the dedicated mobile app.
- This dual flow lowers friction for new users while keeping security and payments centralized in the app.
New ATOM Web-booker works the same way - creating an easy on-ramp from website, while letting the app handle verification and payments.
This feature also aligns with the broader industry evolution we covered in Traditional Car Rental vs Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing vs On-demand Car Sharing artticle. As booking models diversify, offering multiple access points - web + app + api – is becoming a standard expectation from customers.
Market context
The global car-sharing market (including peer-to-peer sharing) is projected to reach USD 28.7 billion by 2030, growing from USD 11.5 billion in 2025 at 20% annual growth rate, with digital-first players outpacing traditional operators. One of the biggest success drivers? Reducing onboarding friction and providing automated processes.
- Majority of new customers discover rental brands online before downloading an app.
- Peer-to-peer platforms like Turo and Getaround already leverage web-based flows to capture demand at the discovery stage.
- Traditional operators are also moving to hybrid web+app models to compete with on-demand mobility startups.
The message is clear: giving customers multiple, seamless entry points directly impacts conversion and utilization.
Enabled by default
The Web-booker is enabled by default for all ATOM Mobility digital rental merchants for free. Just place the booking button on your website, and your customers are ready to go.
📩 Want to see how the Web-booker can boost your conversion and simplify rentals? Get in touch with our team and let’s set it up for you.
Driver App demo credentials - Email: test@atom.com, Password: driver
