Yeah they do. The device current issue is one of time. If they coded it properly they could keep the pi asleep at almost all times, but seeing as they used one in the first place I have my doubts.

Essentially it would make the scooter drain from just sitting vs being able to sit for weeks until a rider hops on.

This is such a terrible application. These things would drain their battery just running the pi and electronics. Why such a high power platform for such basic functionality?

This screams of free money flooding startups. Amateur hour.