Overview
- The federal cabinet approved a Justice Ministry bill that introduces strict Gefährdungshaftung for e‑scooter holders, bringing rules in line with other motor vehicles.
- Drivers would face a presumption of fault and must prove they were not responsible to avoid personal liability.
- The move primarily targets rental providers, enabling victims to claim against the holder identified via the scooter’s license plate and existing liability insurance.
- Officials cite rising incidents as the rationale, with people involved in e‑scooter crashes climbing to about 12,000 in 2024, while insurers note accident frequency per registered scooter has edged down.
- The draft covers other small electric vehicles such as Segways but excludes motorized wheelchairs and certain slow or utility vehicles, as critics warn tiny plates can still hinder identifying holders.