What’s the Cost to Build an eScooter App?

Automated electric scooters or eScooters are becoming common means of transport in the cities all over the world. From driving across the bumpy roads of San Francisco to speeding through different parts of New York, these are shaping the future of transportation.

It used to be just for fun and something that would take care of short distances only but now it’s a craze all over the world.

The concept behind such services is quite simple, yet revolutionary, as it was first implemented by companies such as Birds and Lime, as they provide an efficient experience in commuting while being environmentally friendly at the same time.

Of course, there are many people who are searching ways to travel in an eco-friendly manner and many of the entrepreneurs are interested in making their own eScooter apps. However, when developing an app, one should know how much the process will cost before the actual development.

Here are some features regarding the eScooter app development: the technology selection, application usability, and elements. There will be variations in the amount of money that will be used for the development process based on these factors.

In the next sections we’ll dive deeper into the most important aspects related to developing an eScooter app and guide you through the process of estimating costs for it.

Key Features of an eScooter App

An eScooter app makes the whole process of renting and handling electric scooters easy and convenient. For sure, to make the user experience smooth, the app should include certain important features. Here are the must-have features listed in simple terms.

User Onboarding and Registration

• Easy Sign-Up: It’s easy for users to sign up through their email, phone number, or social media accounts.
• Profile Management: All users will be able to generate and manage their profile, details, and payment methods.

Scooter Discovery and Booking

• Real-Time GPS Tracking: This enables users to select the type of eScooter to ride and find all available scooters on a map in their current location.
• Search Function: It allows users to filter scooters by type, availability, or distance.
• Instant and Scheduled Bookings: Users can ride a scooter immediately, or they have to pre-arrange a trip for specific hours.
• QR Code Scanning: All you have to do is use your smartphone and scan a QR code to unlock the scooter and start riding.

Ride Management

• In-App Navigation: The app helps the users to orient themselves, tells which way is better to travel without getting lost in traffic and showing the shortest way.
• Ride History: User can view past trips, distance travelled and the amount spent on the trip.
• Battery Status Monitoring: The scooters ‘battery charge is displayed in real time so that the users know how much battery is left in the scooter.

Payment Integration

• Secure Payment Options: The payment options include credit cards and digital wallets to enhance safe payment methods in the application.
• Automatic Fare Calculation: Distance and time are the parameters which define the price, so that the client knows how much he/she is going to spend for a certain trip before the trip ends.
• E-Receipts: Users get an instant receipt of each ride through the email or through the app; everything is quite transparent here.

Safety Features

• Smart Lock: Owners can control the scooter through a smartphone; lock and unlock; this prevents theft.
• SOS Button: An emergency button calls local authorities or emergency contacts when the users are in an abusive situation.
• Safety Tips: The app offers guidelines that an individual need to follow while riding and also the traffic laws governing a specific country.

User Engagement

• Push Notifications: Users get notifications about new deals, ride status updates, or maintenance alerts to keep them in the loop.
• Customer Support: A support section lets users quickly report issues or get help when needed.

Admin Dashboard Features

• User Management: The admins will be capable of monitoring users, handling reservations, and preventing, listening, or resolving concerns.
• Analytics Dashboard: It becomes easier for administrators to note how the application is employed and at what times of the day the service is most popular, among other issues that need to be fixed or added.
• Maintenance Alerts: Admin receive alerts for scooter repairing or scooter maintenance, so that the scooter is well maintained.

Additional Features

• Social Media Sharing: Users can share their rides or achievements on social media to connect with others.
• Customization Options: Users can select their preferred routes or change scooter settings, such as speed limits, to make the ride more comfortable.

What Affects the Cost of Building an eScooter App?

The cost of building an eScooter app depends on several key factors. For simplicity, here’s a basic breakdown of what impacts the price:

1. Features and Complexity

The more features you need in your app, the more expensive it becomes. Basic features like sign-up for users, tracking of GPS, and payment options normally fall between $25,000 and $50,000.

However, for other features such as real-time data, advanced booking systems, or smart city integration, the price range shoots up to $50,000 to $100,000 or even more.

Simply put: More features = more development time = higher cost.

2. Platform Selection

Building your app for only one platform, either iOS or Android, will cost less. If you want it both for iOS and Android, it would be a bit more costly since more work is required to make sure that the app is able to work on both.

3. App Design and UX

A good design is fundamental to an app that end users will have fun interacting with. Good design has a cost between $3,000 and $4,000, depending on whether it is more custom and elaborate. It pays by spending on design and making things easier to use and fewer headaches in the future.

4. Size and Location of the Development Team

The number of people working on your app and where they are located can affect the cost. A larger team can develop your app faster, but it will cost more. Also, developers in different regions have different hourly rates:

• Offshore (e.g., India, Eastern Europe): $15-$40 per hour
• Nearshore (e.g., Mexico, Canada): $40-$70 per hour
• Onshore (e.g., USA, Western Europe): $70-$150 per hour

5. Backend Infrastructure

The backend of the app would be everything behind the scenes. This could include user data and payment handling. Generally, the cost of a good backend is in the range of $4,000 to $5,000. Cloud services like AWS or Azure tend to be more expensive in the long run but can be scaled to grow as the app expands.

6. Third-party integrations

If your app calls for third-party services like payment gateways or maps, then it will only increase the cost. Depending on how many integrations of services like PayPal or Google Maps you need, it would cost between $2,000 and $3,000.

7. Updates After Launch

After the app is launched, regular updates and maintenance are needed to fix bugs, add new features, and keep everything secure. Maintenance usually costs 15-20% of the original development cost each year.

8. Regulatory Requirements

Depending on where you plan to operate, you may need to get licenses or meet other regulations, which can add extra costs. Make sure to include these in your budget early on to avoid surprises later.

Breakdown of eScooter App Development Costs

Developing an eScooter app involves several steps, each with its own costs. Below is a simple breakdown of the different phases of development and the factors that affect the overall cost. This will give you an idea of what to expect at each stage.

Example Cost Estimates

Ongoing Costs to Consider

In the development and maintenance of an eScooter app, several running costs must be planned to ensure smooth operations:

Maintenance and Updates: This involves bug fixing, feature updates, and ensuring that the app is compatible with new device updates. This usually runs at 15-20% of the initial development cost annually.

Server Hosting Fees: Hosting the app’s backend requires cloud server costs, which can vary depending on traffic, data storage needs, and server uptime requirements.

Map and IoT Service Subscriptions: If your app uses mapping services (like Google Maps) or IoT technologies for real-time tracking of eScooters, you’ll need to pay for API access and subscription fees.

Marketing and Promotions: Marketing your app to attract and retain users is an ongoing cost. This includes online ads, social media campaigns, influencer partnerships, and other promotional efforts.

Tips to Optimize eScooter App Development Costs

1. Start with an MVP: Keep the basic features of registration, GPS, and payments in mind to reduce initial costs.

2. Features First: Add only the most important features initially to avoid extra costs.

3. Cross-Platform Development: Build for both iOS and Android using tools like React Native or Flutter to save time and money.

4. Keep the Design Simple: Choose a clean, simple design to cut down costs and improve user experience.

5. Use Templates: Use pre-made templates to save on design costs rather than having a custom design.

6. Outsource Development: Hire developers from cost-effective regions like Eastern Europe or India.

7. Start with a Small Team: Begin with a lean team and expand as needed.

8. Use Agile Development: Continuously improve to avoid costly changes after launch.

9. Choose the Right Backend: Choose the right architecture (monolithic or microservices) that suits your app.

10. Use Third-Party APIs: Leverage existing services, such as payment systems and maps, to save development time.

11. Plan for Maintenance: Budget for updates and bug fixes.

12. Conduct Market Research: Validate your app idea to ensure it meets user needs and avoid costly mistakes.

13. Design for Scalability: Plan for future growth to avoid expensive changes later.

Essential Technology Stack for eScooter Ride-Sharing App

To build a successful eScooter ride-sharing app, choosing the right technology is key. The following table outlines the essential tools and technologies needed to create a smooth and efficient app for both users and operators.

How to Earn Money Through Your eScooter App

eScooter apps have become a popular way to provide eco-friendly, affordable, and convenient transportation options in urban areas. If you’re thinking of creating an eScooter app, understanding the monetization strategies is crucial for generating revenue and ensuring the success of your business. Here are the most effective ways to earn money through your eScooter app:

1. Rental Fees

The primary revenue stream for eScooter apps is through rental charges. Users pay to unlock and ride the scooters based on the duration of their usage.

Unlock Fee: Charge users a flat fee to unlock a scooter.

Per-Minute/Hour Charge: Add charges based on the time the scooter is in use.

Example: If the unlock fee is $1 and the per-minute charge is $0.15, a 30-minute ride would earn you $5.50.

2. Subscription Plans

Offer subscription plans to frequent users for a fixed price. These plans could include unlimited rides or discounted rates for a specific period (daily, weekly, or monthly).

Benefits:

• Builds customer loyalty.
• Ensures consistent revenue.

3. In-App Advertising

Monetize your app by partnering with local businesses or brands to display advertisements.

Types of Ads:

• Banner ads.
• Sponsored notifications or offers.
• Geo-targeted promotions that highlight nearby businesses.

4. Corporate Partnerships

Collaborate with companies to provide eScooters as part of their employee benefits or transportation solutions. Many businesses are now looking for sustainable transport options for their teams.

Revenue Model: Charge a flat rate or per-ride fee for corporate packages.

5. Franchise Model

Allow individuals or businesses to operate your eScooter fleet in specific regions under your brand.

Earnings:

• Charge a licensing fee.
• Take a percentage of the revenue generated by the franchisee.

6. Data Monetization

Analyse the data from your app for trends such as popular routes, peak times, or preferred locations and sell anonymized insights to city planners or businesses to improve urban mobility solutions.

Important Note: Ensure user privacy and comply with data protection laws.

7. Promotional Campaigns

Partner with brands to create campaigns where users get discounts or offers when they interact with promotional content.

Example: A user could unlock a scooter for free by watching a 30-second video ad.

8. Battery Charging Fees

Introduce portable battery stations where users can swap low batteries for fully charged ones for a fee.

Alternative: Allow users to charge scooters at home for a discount on their next ride.

9. Custom Branding and Sponsorships

Allow companies to sponsor your eScooters or app features. For instance, a business could place their logo on scooters or have their name featured prominently in the app.

10. Referral Programs

Create a referral system where users can earn ride credits for referring new riders.

Example: Offer $5 ride credit for every new user brought in, ensuring more app engagement and long-term profitability.

Conclusion

Building an eScooter app can be an exciting venture, but it’s important to know the costs involved upfront. From user-friendly features to reliable backend infrastructure, every aspect plays a role in shaping the budget. Whether you’re going for a simple MVP or a feature-packed app, planning and smart decision-making are key.

Remember, ongoing maintenance and updates are just as crucial as the initial development. So, if you’re ready to join the green mobility trend, start budgeting smartly and bring your eScooter app idea to life!