Electric Scooters: Swap & Rental, Zeway’s Winning Formula?

Riding an electric scooter without worrying about recharging: that’s the promise made by operator Zeway.

Since 2021, Zeway offers a scooter rental service using battery swap stations. Currently, the French startup is present only in Paris, but they plan to expand to other cities in the future.

How does Zeway work?

The Zeway network includes 40 battery exchange stations in Paris and nearby suburbs. The installations are located within BNP Paribas, Monoprix, Esso stations, or laundries. The advantage is that they do not encroach on public space. However, this also means sometimes they are inaccessible. Fortunately, most businesses chosen by Zeway operate with very wide working hours.

An app maps out the stations on a map and can guide the user to their chosen location. It also shows the charge level and can alert to technical issues.

The scooter’s battery is located under the seat. Simply pull it out, as it is not connected with any cable. The next steps are also very simple: after passing it in front of the station’s scanner, place it in a small compartment designed for this purpose and retrieve a charged one. The swap—a name for this operation—is thus very quick.

The Zeway scooters

swapperOne or swapperX: Zeway currently offers two different scooters, which we had the opportunity to briefly test.

The swapperOne is homologated in the 50 cc equivalent category. It has a small Bosch motor of 3 kW directly integrated into the wheel. Weighing only 74 kilos, it is easy to handle, though its lightness may surprise at first. The riding position is well suited for small statures. Accelerations are more than sufficient for urban use, and braking appears effective. As for range, Zeway claims 40 km with a full charge.

Larger, the swapperX exists in 50 or 125 cc equivalents. Unlike the swapperOne, this model emits a small whistling sound when running, but it’s hardly bothersome. Equipped with a 5 kW motor, the swapperX 125 cc—or swapperX+—can reach a maximum speed of 80 km/h. On the handlebar, it quickly becomes clear that Zeway prioritized range over performance. The scooter remains quite maneuverable despite a heavier weight (92 kilos). Naturally more energy-consuming than its little brother, it still offers a range of 60 km thanks to a second battery.

60 km is also the range of the Swapper X 50 cc. Slightly less powerful (4 kW), this scooter is limited to 45 km/h. Like the swapperOne, it is accessible from age 14. The swapperX+, on the other hand, can be driven from age 16 with an A1 license.

Pricing

Zeway only offers rental plans, with or without commitment. Insurance, maintenance, and servicing are included. Mileage is unlimited.

The skirt, the 40-liter top case, phone holder, and outdoor charging cable are currently free. A docking station for charging at home is available as an option.

Conclusion

Already well established in some Asian countries, the concept of exchangeable batteries removes much of the concerns around autonomy and recharging. It’s promising to see this approach arrive in France.

With easy-to-use scooters, a well-designed app, and a widely developed station network, Zeway offers a serious and efficient service. If you ride a lot, this option is more financially advantageous than a service like Cityscoot. Dance offers comparable electric scooter rentals at lower prices, but without the advantage of exchangeable batteries.

Also read: Unu: Cheaper electric scooter with battery rental