How to Create an e-Scooter Sharing App Like Lime?
By idea2appAdmin
February 11, 2025
Table of Contents
Lime is among the most well-known scooter-sharing apps, offering kick e-scooters, e-bikes, and bicycles. Scooter sharing is a different type of mobility shared by multiple people that has received more attention in recent years. These services allow short-term rental of electric scooters resembling Vespa’s and electronic kick scooters (also known as standing scooters). Although the process of eScooter app development is similar to bike and car sharing, it’s less expensive and ideal for shorter journeys.
There are many issues to consider, including cab fares, guardianship, parking issues, and more. After the introduction of the eScooters, eScooter app development has progressed and gained commercial acceptance. It is essential for people generally to have a smartphone app that lets them easily share their scooter. Lime eScooter app is a smartphone app that lets users rent electric scooters on-demand.
There are various reasons to develop an eScooter app and the market stats shows the same:
They’re much less expensive than traditional transport. Renting an electric scooter costs an average of $0.10-$0.15 per minute, while an Uber costs about $0.40 per minute.
Using an electric scooter is much more convenient than riding a motorcycle or bicycle because you don’t have concerns about parking or theft.
You can get through traffic jams easily with e-scooters. This will save you many hours. Also, since you’re charged per minute, it’s cheaper to all-in.
Electric scooters’ wide accessibility contributes to their growing popularity. Lime and similar scooter-sharing applications make it easy for users to travel together. You can rent scooters to users for short time periods to take on local trips. For smaller trips, scooters are cheaper and more convenient than other transport services such as taxis, rental cars, and bicycle sharing.
For ensuring successful eScooter app development, it is essential to know the various types of apps available on the market. In general, e-scooter applications are classified into two categories: rental apps and companion apps. Each has its own objective and meets the various needs of users and business models.
Share or rent apps for electric scooters allow the rental of scooters for short periods in urban zones. These apps are specifically designed for users who are looking for easy, affordable, and environmentally friendly transportation options.
Control or companion apps for E-scooters are designed specifically for private owners, not for users who are using shared fleets. These apps typically come with specific e-scooter brands and provide additional features to aid users in managing their scooters efficiently.
The investment in purchasing a Lime Clone can provide huge advantages for the e-bike rental company you run and can immediately boost the number of customers who use it once it is launched.
Lime is a thriving instance of the rental business model. If you choose to use the Lime copy, you’re taking a position that has already proven its value in the marketplace. This significantly reduces the chance of having to start an entirely new journey.
With a pre-made Lime copy, you can immediately start your own e-bike rental service. Development is easier, entices customers, and creates profits faster than building an application entirely from scratch.
Making an application similar to Lime provides a cost-effective alternative by providing a pre-built application that can be altered to satisfy the requirements. This could reduce eScooter app development costs and the time to market.
Lime’s App contains features devised to make it easy to use, like bicycle tracking, easy rental procedures, and secure payment methods. A Lime Clone comes with built-in features that ensure your application has the essential tools to provide a seamless user experience.
eScooter app development includes special support and regular updates. You’ll receive regular assistance and updates to keep your app current with the latest technology and safety standards.
Lime’s features Lime is certainly something to consider before designing your scooter-sharing application. Beyond that, we’ve also talked about some additional features that you might be interested in:
It is a given that you must incorporate Google Maps into your application. Google Maps can enable you to keep track of all scooters and assist customers in locating the closest parking spots for scooters.
We have observed that in the “Registration” section, the user is asked to sign up for his/her credit card. The app should be able to automatically charge the customer’s card based on the trips he/she took over a specified period of time.
The user must be able to view various information within the app, such as the percentage of battery in the scooter’s headlight, the number of batteries in it, the button, etc. This lets the user easily control and monitor the features offered.
Customers ought to be able to book scooters so they can plan group rides with their family and acquaintances.
You have to sign up with the app to use its electric scooters. To do this, you must create an account. This can be done through Facebook as well as Google. Adding other popular social media platforms, such as Twitter, Linked In, and more, is also possible.
In the next step, you’ll need your driver’s license to confirm your identity and competence to drive. You must also include your credit card to make fast and simple payment.
A seamless registration function will bode well for your application.
A QR code or Quick Response Code is a rectangular design that resembles the image above. The app must be able to connect to the customer’s camera and scan the QR Code attached to the bike.
They will lock the scooters into their parking spaces with the smart lock. When a person scans the Lime QR code using his application, the smart lock recognizes it and allows the bike to be used. This ensures that your bikes won’t be taken from the parking lot.
When you’re done riding the scooter, put it away in the Lime parking space or leave it wherever you want in the green zone indicated in the Lime scooter app.
Your app must have push notifications set up to let users know about specials, promotions, and offers you are running. This will make it easier for users to use your e-scooters and then return repeatedly.
A small amount could be charged to unlock the e-scooter. This is in addition to the price of the base ride. A small fee is charged to unlock the electric scooter. This is in addition to the base cost and may increase the overall profit per ride.
To promote good parking behavior, parking in designated zones is charged. The fee is charged to park at specific places.
Encourages responsible parking and also helps control the distribution of scooters.
The app can be monetized through ad promotions and posts, such as interstitial banner ads, ads for banners, or sponsored content in the application. Use admin panel tools to control advertising placements and measure performance. Increase income from advertising.
You now have a thorough understanding of market statistics and the necessity of developing an eScooter application. Additionally we have also talked about top features of an eScooter sharing app. You might be thinking about how you can create the perfect eScooter sharing app that is similar to Lime.
Here’s the answer.
Examine competitors, deconstruct the demographics you want to target, and follow market trends to meet customer needs and potential. Create clear objectives for your business that outline your intended audience, market position, and unique marketing factors (USPs). Develop a clear business strategy that encapsulates your business model, marketing strategies, revenue stream, and financial headlands that will aid your growth.
Develop an admin panel to manage the bike’s operation, user interactions, and payment tracking. This is as you set up an electronic bike control system to monitor GPS, battery status, and maintenance schedules. Focus on creating wireframes and prototypes to ensure an automatic navigation system and a user-friendly interface for the user and the administrator.
Choose the appropriate technology for custom eScooter app development like Lime. For the front end, you can choose one of the frameworks, such as React Native or Flutter. As for the backend, you can consider using Node.js, Ruby on Rails, or Django to build a robust server infrastructure. Select a reliable database to store your data and choose the best hosting service to deploy your app, such as AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure.
Creating the user application and admin panel kicks off the eScooter app development phase. Then, it is time to create a simple prototype to play around with the basic features and collect feedback from users to refine the appearance and functionality.
Perform thorough testing to ensure your app runs smoothly and gives users a pleasant experience. Test unit functionality to check specific components, integration tests to ensure distinct parts of the application work in tandem, and tests to identify any issues or bugs.
Get ready for your app’s launch by publishing it on applications like Google Play and the Apple App Store and creating your backend service. Launch a marketing campaign using the internet, social media, and collaborative strategies to attract users and generate buzz about your new service for renting e-bikes.
After launching your app, you must address the ongoing support needed to address issues with users, handle the release of updates, and address bugs. Monitor key metrics like engagement of users and app enactment, as well as release updates with new features, revisions, and security patches to ensure that your app is current and functional.
eScooter applications face a variety of unique issues with regard to the rules of safety and the law.
It’s crucial to note that local regulations and laws must regulate electric scooters. Based on the location or city in which you’re planning to conduct business, there might be a myriad of licenses, permits, and safety rules that you must adhere to. Also, you must know the places and how e-scooters are utilized in certain areas.
The safety of the user is a major issue for electric scooters. The app must include safety guidelines and tips before every ride. Speed limits, as well as other guidelines, must be followed to ensure responsible use.
As the number of users increases, the app needs to efficiently handle the growth in demand and traffic, which requires robust scalability in both the infrastructure and the app architecture.
Understanding different revenue streams is essential for any rental company operating an e-scooter to generate a steady income and ensure long-term sustainability. Below are a variety of ways that rental companies use to make money and ensure operational efficiency by developing apps like the LimeBike application.
Surge, dynamic, and time-based prices adjust rates depending on availability and demand.
Administrators can establish pricing algorithms that boost prices during peak times. For instance, during rush hour, the base price could increase by 1.5x or 2x to handle the high demand. This increases revenue during high-demand times and maximizes scooter availability.
Operational fees are the charges relating to late returns of scooters or major damage. Users are charged when they return the scooter after or in areas that are not designated for parking. In addition, they are accountable for the cost of repairs or replacements if their scooter is damaged or stolen. This increases income and helps ensure prompt returns and the proper usage of scooters.
Commission models are a well-known and efficient method of generating revenue. This model requires charging a portion of the total cost of the ride. Administrators can alter the commission percentage at any time via the app’s admin panel. Increased commission rates or more rides will increase revenues.
Customers who cancel their pre-booked rides are subject to a cancellation charge. If a user cancels the reservation, a fixed fee or a portion of the cost of the ride will be assessed. This generates additional revenue for those who cancel their rides and assists in covering the costs of missed opportunities.
The subscription model provides users with a wide range of rides and extended access to rides for a set price. Options include annual or monthly plans that provide unlimited rides or discounted rates. It provides predictable, recurring income and encourages regular use.
If you’re looking to launch your own scooter-sharing business, you may encounter these challenges:
Scooter-sharing businesses currently are operating thanks to venture capital. If investors stop investing in scooter start-ups, they are more likely to be out of their business. This isn’t true for the major players in the scooter-sharing market like Bird, Lime, Jump (an Uber subsidiary), and Lyft. They can afford to lose money but remain in business. However, smaller companies such as Spin, Skip, and Scoot aren’t in the same position.
Another possibility is the merger with scooter rental companies. The larger ones could take on smaller ones to prevent direct rivalry. According to reports, Uber wants to buy one of the two companies, Bird or Lime.
Another problem that could hinder the eScooter app development is the lack of electrification. Only a few cities, including those in Europe, have the infrastructure to charge e-vehicles. To develop a completely electric two-wheeled system for the sharing market, cities must set up enough charging stations. To keep scooters off the sidewalks, city authorities should provide them with their own pathways.
The growth of scooter sharing is frequently similar to the popularity of ride-hailing; however, there are a few major differences between these services. Companies must obtain explicit permission from local authorities to operate an online scooter-sharing service. The cities decide which companies can operate and the number of scooters they can manage. This is a challenge Lime and Bird encountered when they first launched their services in San Francisco without seeking permission from the authorities. In June of 2018, kick scooter sharing companies shut down from operating in San Francisco and had to end all operations.
An influx of free-floating scooters on city streets has led to hundreds of complaints by communities. The cases involve reckless parking, driving infractions, and safety issues (such as driving without a helmet). E-scooters are sometimes vandalized or stolen.
The lack of basic education for scooter users can harm a business’s image and trigger an unfavourable reaction from cities. Thus, teaching eScooter solutions app user to use the app and park is an important problem.
Scooter companies are searching for ways to reward good parking behavior and identify poor parking. Bird and Lime require users to snap a photo of their scooter via an app following their ride to ensure it’s parked correctly. The two companies also plan to create software to identify scooters that have been improperly parked, fail to get to the curb, or are left unattended on the street. Furthermore, Lime has said it will issue fines to riders who are riding on the sidewalk.
Scooter sharing can be a popular business in several towns, and the busiest season occurs during the warmer months. In the winter months and during the off-season, there is less demand. But, some businesses remain open during winter, except when the roads are covered with snow.
However, as the weather gets colder, many people may still prefer walking with micro-mobility. In addition, due to the free-floating principle that e-scooters offer, they can get users closer to their destinations than a car because they’re more convenient to park.
The right stack of tech is the most important aspect of creating a robust and expandable app. The best programming frameworks, language tools, and techniques are for developing an app for an e-scooter like Lime. Have a look at a few of them below.
Business Tools: G Suite, Jira, Trello, Qlik, Zoho Analytics
Programming Languages: React, Kotlin, Swift, Python, Go
Database: MongoDB, My SQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Visual Studio Code
Frameworks: Laravel, Django, AngularJS, Ruby on Rails, Express.js
Utilities: Amazon CloudFront, SendGrid, Fastly, Twilio, Braintree
Building an app similar to Lime is essential to ensuring carefully planned budgeting and planning. Many factors affect the final price; accurate estimates are crucial to successful eScooter app development. Let us have a look at some of the factors affecting cost of developing an eScooter app like Lime:
A visually appealing and user-friendly design is essential. Make sure you invest in a skilled UI/UX designer to build an interactive user interface. The complexity of the App and the number of screens will impact design costs.
The experience of your eScooter app development team is a major factor. Employing experienced developers, designers, UI/UX, and QA specialists may cost more in the beginning, but they will deliver an elegant application.
The integration of services such as maps, payment gateways, or analytics is beneficial but expensive. Choose the best services that fit your business’s needs.
Conformity to local law and other legal issues is crucial. Consider legal advice to ensure that your application is compliant with e-scooter regulations, data protection laws, and any other applicable requirements.
Post-launch maintenance is vital. To remain ahead of the game, include a budget for regular app enhancements, bug fixes, new features, and customer service.
Selecting between a specific iOS or Android application or a universal solution significantly impacts the price. Consider the preferences of your intended audience to make an informed choice.
The features you select determine the price. Basic features like GPS payment, navigation, and user profile are all standard. The development bill can include sophisticated features like AR navigation and ride history.
A solid backend is vital to ensure smooth operation. The costs include the server’s setup, database administration, and API development. Make sure your account for expansion scalability in the future.
You must fully test your app to ensure that it is bug-free. Set aside a budget for motorized and manual QA methods to find and correct issues before launch.
An effective launch needs marketing power—a budget for social media and promotions to attract users.
The typical cost for eScooter app development is $25k to $355,000.
However, the price is affected by various factors, such as the app’s complexity, the platform it is built on, its design, the technology employed, and the team of developers.
As cities take on the latest technology and micro-mobility ecosystems grow, scooter apps are expected to be more advanced, providing improved features for users and operators. Let’s look at what the future holds to offer us.
This technology is a crucial component of eScooter app development since predictive algorithms can analyze the patterns of use and alert owners of breakdowns before they occur, ensuring smoother operations. In the case of companion apps, AI can alert users about the health of their scooter and flag potential problems such as mechanical and battery issues or even mechanical breakdowns.
Blockchain guarantees transparent payments for rides in the case of sharing apps. Control apps can safeguard personal information and scooter usage history and build trust among users.
AI-driven safety functions like automated speed adjustment, obstacle detection, and real-time alerts for hazards will ensure safer riding. ML algorithms can analyze riders’ behavior and local conditions to improve security measures.
In the case of sharing apps, this permits fleet operators to control scooter distribution more effectively in urban areas by gaining real-time information on traffic and parking accessibility. In the companion app, customers will receive intelligent recommendations for the best routes based on traffic patterns and nearby parking or charging station locations, improving their experience on the road.
Sharing app users could utilize AR to find nearby scooters or parking spots. Companion apps can include AR navigation that provides riders with real-time directions, landmarks nearby, or tips for maintenance via their smartphone’s camera to provide the most enjoyable ride experience.
Voice-activated features allow users to control certain apps’ functions without holding their mobile phones. Hands-free navigation using voice commands can increase ride convenience and security, particularly in urban areas with much traffic.
In line with the increasing trend towards multimodal transportation, the e-scooter app will integrate with public transportation systems. This integration will allow users to plan complete trips, seamlessly shifting between scooters, trains, buses, or subways for more convenience.
As we discuss in our blog article, developing an app that allows scooters to share rides similar to Lime is a fantastic business idea for generating regular revenue. However, the design process appears to be costly, complicated, and lengthy at first glance.
The market for electric scooters offers great growth potential because of the relatively low start-up cost and increasing interest in lightweight and more efficient methods of transport. You can take advantage of this growing trend and build an app that resembles an electric scooter, such as Bird or Lime.
However, you should be aware that if you plan to create the app in the U.S., this could burn an even bigger hole in your wallet. Outsourcing your app’s work to an eScooter app development company will reduce the time and cash.
Creating a scooter-sharing application with an administration panel will take 600-900 man-hours. The process will involve designing, planning tests, and deploying the app.
If you design an app in the USA, it will cost between $50,000 and $80,000. If you decide to outsource the eScooter app development to India, the time will be between $30,000 and $50,000.
We offer free support to all of our customers for four weeks. If you wish to extend the duration of support, we will ask our customers to contact an AMC contact.
We use agile software development methods, including Scrum, to build web-based and mobile apps. Our scrum masters oversee Software development initiatives.