Cooltra Test: The New King of Scooter-sharing?

Facing Yego, Cityscoot, and now Troopy, Cooltra doesn’t have an easy task in Paris. But the operator has real arguments to assert.

Cooltra launched its offensive within Paris city limits in June 2021. Subsequently, its small electric scooters arrived in four additional nearby suburbs: Boulogne-Billancourt, Issy-les-Moulineaux, Meudon, and Sèvres. With 1,700 vehicles in service, Cooltra is slightly better equipped than Yego (1,500 scooters), but doesn’t quite have the reach of Cityscoot (2,500), according to figures provided by the different stakeholders.

While Cityscoot faces financial difficulties, Cooltra seems to be on a more positive trajectory. The company reached a 15% market share in Paris in May 2022, then 20% in September. According to its leaders’ forecasts, hitting 30% before the end of the year is not just a hope, despite the arrival of Troopy.

Cooltra App

Registration, scooter reservation, start and end of trip: everything happens on the Cooltra app, which can be downloaded in seconds from the App Store or Google Play. Before accessing the service, you need to create an account and upload a photo of your ID and driver’s license. A credit card number will also be required. If all steps are completed correctly, registration is validated very quickly.

In principle, the Cooltra app works like those of its competitors: it displays available scooters on a map, zooming automatically into the user’s neighborhood. You select based on location, but also on remaining range, which is clearly indicated in kilometers. Once the scooter is reserved, you have 15 minutes to pick it up and start the trip. When ending the rental, the app prompts for a photo showing the scooter parked correctly.

Scooter

Cooltra has chosen an model from the Italian manufacturer Askoll. Let’s be clear: this scooter is a very pleasant surprise and is easier to ride than those from Yego and Cityscoot. Light, compact, it immediately instills confidence in the rider and easily weaves between cars. The upright riding position makes it easy to handle and suitable for most body types. While free-floating scooters often lack agility, Cooltra’s Askoll reaches, with ease, the regulatory 45 km/h maximum for this type of vehicle. The easily dosed braking reassures those unaccustomed to two-wheeled motorized transport.

Cooltra scooters are approved for two people. They also come with two helmets (sizes M and L), stored in a top-box with covers. Each scooter is also equipped with a rain and cold protection apron, but there is no phone holder. Users should also remember to bring gloves, as this essential accessory is not provided.

Cooltra Pricing

While Cityscoot and Yego charge a flat rate per minute, Cooltra customers can choose between two plans: €0.36 per minute with a €500 deductible, or €0.39 per minute with a reduced €99 deductible. By comparison, Yego and Cityscoot scooters cost €0.36 and €0.39 per minute respectively in Paris.

Whichever operator you choose, those planning to use shared scooters frequently will benefit from prepaid packs, which offer a lower per-minute cost. Cityscoot and Yego have also introduced monthly subscriptions. A service expected to be available at Cooltra early in 2023.

Cooltra Prepaid Packs

Summary

Without being more expensive, Cooltra manages to offer a higher quality service than its established competitors, with scooters clearly a step above. Definitely the best choice in Paris, compared to Cityscoot and Yego. Now, the question remains how the newcomer Troopy will position itself. Mobiwisy will tell you very soon!

Read also: Test of Cityscoot scooter rental: versatile, practical, but costly