US electric scooter hire start-ups are under threat from the trade row with China because the companies use Chinese-made machines. The list of goods attracting new tariffs includes a category that covers electric scooters, whose current cost of about $400 will soar to $500 with a 25% tariff. Start-ups are expected to charge customers more or use existing venture capital funding as a result, or both. Companies under threat include Bird, LimeBike, Jump and Uber’s start-up, Spin. Public consultation preceding the next round of tariffs could give lobbyists a chance to convince the administration to exclude scooters.
US electric scooter hire start-ups are under threat from the trade row with China because the companies use Chinese-made machines. The list of goods attracting new tariffs includes a category that covers electric scooters, whose current cost of about $400 will soar to $500 with a 25% tariff. Start-ups are expected to charge customers more or use existing venture capital funding as a result, or both. Companies under threat include Bird, LimeBike, Spin and Uber’s start-up, Jump. Public consultation preceding the next round of tariffs could give lobbyists a chance to convince the administration to exclude scooters.