SOMERSET West and Taunton Council’s e-scooter trial in Minehead is proving its green credentials by removing over a ton of carbon from the atmosphere when compared with a fossil fuel powered vehicle, council officials claimed this week.

The trial has seen more than 4,200 journeys by just over 1,800 riders who have travelled almost 8,000 miles since it began on June 5.

Charlie Gleeson, CEO of Zipp Mobility which is running the trials, said: “We are encouraged by the success of the Minehead trial and enjoy working with the community to promote sustainable mobility.”

Cllr Dixie Darch, the council’s executive member for climate change, said: “We are working closely with our colleagues at Zipp to improve and expand the service where we can with an emphasis on safety both for e-scooter users and the general public.

“We really hope that people will learn more about using e-scooters safely and see the advantage of getting around town in a cleaner, greener way.”

The Minehead trial currently has 40 e-scooters located across the town at 27 parking bays. Bay numbers have increased since the launch with requests for additional bays coming from local businesses wanting a parking bay close to their place of work for commuting staff and visitors.

The Zipp e-scooters operate from 6.30am until 10.30pm, seven days a week, and can only be used by people over the age of 16 with a provisional or full driving licence.

It costs £1 to unlock the e-scooter and 10p per minute thereafter using the Zipp Mobility App. 

The trial in Minehead is geofenced, which means the e-scooters will only work inside permitted areas. The maximum speed of e-scooters in the SWT trial is limited to just over 12mph, and there are slower zones within the trial area.