European Commission Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné has outlined plans to harmonise technical standards for electric scooters, known as personal mobility devices (PMDs), aiming to improve safety, reduce market fragmentation, and broaden consumer access across the EU. The statement, issued in response to a written parliamentary question from MEP Rosa Serrano Sierra (S&D), stops short of a concrete legislative proposal but signals a move toward EU-level regulatory coherence. Séjourné referenced existing coverage under the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, acknowledged the absence of on-road safety harmonisation, and cited a 2024 Commission-backed study recommending EU-wide type approvals. The Commission also intends to issue guidance to Member States on PMD safety, building on earlier sustainable urban mobility frameworks. No binding numerical targets or deadlines were announced, reflecting a cautious calibration rather than a regulatory overhaul.
The announcement follows a series of EU transport and mobility debates that have highlighted diverging views on regulatory approaches. On April 15, 2026, the European Parliament's Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) committee saw MEP Marianne Dupont advocate for increased EU oversight of smart transport technologies, including a phased timeline for mandatory EU-wide safety standards—a position that aligns with the Commission's current direction on PMDs. Earlier, on April 8, the TRAN committee witnessed clashes over EU road safety progress, with Christian Schmidt (DG MOVE) urging intensified action and Kai Tegethoff (Greens/EFA) calling for a dedicated EU road safety agency. The PMD harmonisation effort also intersects with broader automotive policy debates. On March 27, Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas proposed flexible, technology-neutral CO2 standards and large-scale automated vehicle testbeds, while on March 17, the Environment Council saw sharp divisions between member states pushing for strict electrification (France, Sweden) and those demanding flexibility (Poland, Hungary) on 2035 car emission targets. Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra's January 28 proposal for flexible CO2 standards and expanded CBAM further underscores the Commission's pragmatic balancing of climate goals and industrial feasibility.
Key stakeholders affected include the electric scooter manufacturing sector, which may face streamlined but potentially stricter compliance demands; municipal and national authorities responsible for local traffic safety rules; urban commuters who could benefit from safer, more affordable mobility options; and EU institutions overseeing cross-border market operations. Positive impacts include enhanced consumer safety and market efficiencies, while industries may contend with higher initial regulatory burdens. The Commission is expected to follow up with detailed guidance soon, a step that will clarify timelines and practicalities, indicating the precise shape of future EU PMD policies.