Many electric modes of transport will require vehicle insurance from the beginning of June, due to an impending change to Finland's Motor Insurance Act.
The law reform means insurance will be mandatory for motorised devices weighing over 25 kilograms or travelling over 25 kilometres per hour.
Along with rental electric scooters, the law change could also affect thousands of privately-owned modes of transport.
"Consumers need to find out for themselves if their device requires insurance," said Janne Jumppanen, Director of the Finnish Motor Insurers' Centre.
The change will also affect mobility scooters used by people with restricted mobility, as well as electric scooters. Some e-bikes may also need to be insured.
However, the majority of electric scooters sold to consumers and electrically-assisted bicycles are exempt from the new insurance requirements.
"Assisted bicycles, where the electric assistance automatically turns off at 25 kilometres per hour, are exempt. Ordinary bicycles are also not subject to insurance obligations. All others have to follow the 25/25 rule," Jumpanen said, adding that information about a device's speed and structural weight should be available from the importer or manufacturer.
If the user fails to obtain the compulsory insurance, even driving on forest paths with electric modes of transport would be prohibited.
Failure to comply with insurance requirements may result in penalties. In the event of a collision, a driver involved in an accident with an uninsured mode of transport may not receive compensation for any potential loss of earnings.
The law follows a recent EU directive aimed at defining which types of vehicles are included in motor insurance coverage and which are not.
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