250 electric scooters set for 12-month trial on Darwin streets, footpaths

DARWIN streets will be home to 250 electric scooters from next month, with a 12-month e-scooter trial set to begin

Alderman Simon Niblock on one of the Neuron scooters that will be trialled in Darwin. Picture: Glenn Campbell

DARWIN streets will be home to 250 electric scooters from next month, with Neuron Mobility to begin a 12-month e-scooter trial.

A Darwin council spokeswoman confirmed Singapore company Neuron Mobility would soon begin the trial first mooted 10 months ago.

“We’re getting close to the launch and are hoping to have that formalised by the end of the month,” she said.

“We’re working with all parties in the working group to formalise the agreement and have the operations commence as soon as possible.”

The scooters will be available from 37 fixed dock locations, including the Darwin CBD, Waterfront, Cullen Bay and Mindil Beach Casino Resort.

They can travel a maximum 20km/h and, when fully charged, can be ridden for about 80km on bikeways, footpaths and shared paths only.

Users can access the scooters through an app, which charges for rides by the minute, a weekly use rate or a monthly pass.

A Neuron Mobility spokeswoman said the company was thrilled to begin operating in Darwin.

“We are delighted to be partnering with City of Darwin to provide our latest and safest e-scooters in the city,” she said.

“The number of e-scooters will be capped to 250 but we will match supply with demand.”

She said about five full-time jobs would be created and a further 20 to 30 part-time jobs.

Neuron Mobility is the fastest growing shared e-scooter operator and micromobility technology developer in the Asia Pacific.

The company made its first expansion to Australia in Brisbane, and plans to also set up in Adelaide this year.

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Darwin will also be the first city to launch Neuron’s new N3 e-scooter, toughened to suit harsh conditions experienced in the Territory.

“They deliver the highest levels of safety, stability and rider experience, giving users an extra level of confidence as they travel around the city,” the spokeswoman said.