Green Electricity for Lime Scooters

A new program that will incentivize scooter "juicers," the people who collect and charge electric scooters for a fee, to switch to green energy.

1 minute read

September 29, 2019, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"The independent contractors who charge scooters for Lime [in Washington, D.C., and Montgomery County, Maryland] will now get incentives to use clean energy when 'juicing' their batteries," according to an article by Sarah Holder.

"Battery-charging, however, is far from the biggest carbon impact attributed to dockless mobility," adds Holder. But, still there is work to be done in several aspects of the supply and operations of electric scooters.

"Lime’s announcement comes on the heels of a report released in August by North Carolina State University, where researchers found that the supply chains that bring scooters to your neighborhoods and maintain them exact most of their carbon emissions toll."

The new charging program is designed to catalyze its community of "juicers" to make the switch. "To help chargers make the switch, Lime is partnering with Inspire, a company that provides Netflix-like subscriptions of 100-percent renewable energy streams to renters and homeowners," according to Holder. "Inspire will offer each Lime charger a $160 clean energy credit when they sign up, which will be deducted from their electric bill." 

Thursday, September 26, 2019 in CityLab

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

View of Austin, Texas skyline with river in foreground during morning golden hour.

The Paradox of American Housing

How the tension between housing as an asset and as an essential good keeps the supply inadequate and costs high.

March 26, 2024 - The Atlantic

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

Aerial view of Anchorage, Alaska downtown with mountains in background at golden hour.

Anchorage Leaders Debate Zoning Reform Plan

Last year, the city produced the fewest new housing units in a decade.

March 28 - Anchorage Daily News

Young man in wheelchair crossing zebra crosswalk.

How to Protect Pedestrians With Disabilities

Public agencies don’t track traffic deaths and injuries involving disabled people, leaving a gap in data to guide safety interventions.

March 28 - Governing

Aerial view of mountain town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the winter with snow at dusk.

Colorado Town Fills Workforce Housing Need With ‘Dorm-Style’ Housing

Median rent in Steamboat Springs is $4,000 per month.

March 28 - CBS News

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.