Another day, another challenge for e-scooter companies with the Auckland Council quadrupling its fees for e-scooter service providers as it kicks off its second trial.

In a report by Stuff, Auckland Council said fees had quadrupled as e-scooter providers would be considered “oversized vendors.” Under the new code of practice, e-scooter companies will also have to hold public liability insurance of at least $1 million.

“We felt that this fee structure didn't really reflect the amount of public space an e-scooter ride share operation takes up, so have this time chosen to use the 'oversize vendor' category in our fee schedule,” council licensing and regulatory compliance general manager Craig Hobbs said. “As a result, operators will pay more for their licences.

“These fees go back into the council's licence and regulatory compliance budget and therefore cover the costs of processing and monitoring licence compliance,” he told the publication.

Read more: E-scooter injury claims cost ACC nearly $740,000

During the second trial, e-scooters providers will be $35.50 per scooter operating within the inner city, $21.50 for outer city and $5 for outer suburbs, every six months. Three operators were reportedly chosen for the trial, out of five licence applications.

Under the council’s new code of practice, Stuff reported more stringent requirements on safety and risk management will be implemented, including requiring operators to report incidents, investigations and corrective actions in Auckland and around the country every week.