When you decide to buy an electric scooter, you must choose one that will meet your needs and be able to get you where you are going. To make the right choice, we have put together this handy buying guide which will give you all the information you need to know about electric scooters. A good scooter should last several years, so buy one that fits your life.
Distance and speed of electric scooters
One of the most important considerations when looking at scooters is the distance they will be able to travel. The biggest fear of a scooter owner is a depleted battery, and being stuck somewhere having to walk the scooter home. So make sure that the scooter you choose has enough juice to travel the distance you need.
Most scooters have an average capacity of 250 Watt hours (Wh) which allows them to travel around 20 kilometers. This number varies greatly on factors such as weight and inclines. Hills will drain the battery much faster than flat ground. If you need more distance, check the battery ratings before you buy.
Scooters are often electronically speed limited to meet with local standards. Typically a scooter will top out at about 20-25 km/h, but you can find scooters with much higher speed limits. The important thing to remember is that laws often dictate the regulations for how fast a scooter can go to still be used without a license and on public roads. Check your local regulations to make sure you are within limits.
Electric scooter features
Once you know what you want your scooter to do in terms of speed and distance, there are a number of features to consider.
Size
The scooter should be at an appropriate height and size that you don’t need to bend while driving. Perfect height means that the handlebars are about the height of your waist. Some do come with adjustable handlebars, but it is best to check the height specifications for models you are considering.
If you are buying a scooter for a child, be sure that it is sized appropriately and an adult-sized scooter will be too large.
Motor
Another important feature is the motor. Most scooters have one motor mounted in the front wheel, but some can come with dual motors. Motors are either brushed or brushless. Brushless are better, but may be more expensive.
You will want to consider the power of the motor. As mentioned above, many places have regulations based on the power rating of the motor because the more powerful a motor is the faster the scooter will go. More powerful motors also take more energy, so for maximum efficiency get a motor that best meets your needs.
Single motor scooter: the most common scooters have a single motor, and this is sufficient for commuting on flat pavement and moving average weights at a decent speed.
Dual motor scooter: for more power, consider a dual-motored scooter that gives you the ability to go off-road or up higher inclines.
Weight
Most scooters weigh between 10–15kg. When you buy your scooter, think about how often you will be carrying it. Many people lug their scooter up stairs to get to and from their flat and also subway stations and workplaces. Heavier scooters will be more powerful and are often more comfortable to ride, but added weight can make them much harder to carry when needed. One test is to try out a dumbbell to see how many kilos you can lift with one arm and carry comfortably.
User weight
Another consideration is the weight that your scooter will carry, and this mostly means you. Scooters are generally rated for weights up to 100kg. This includes both the passenger and anything they are carrying, so plan accordingly. If you overload a scooter, the battery will be depleted more rapidly, and you can overload the battery voiding the warranty.
Braking system
Electric scooters have different kinds of brakes that offer various stopping power and convenience for the user. Many people overlook this feature, but safety should be your top priority, and if you can't stop, that could be a big problem.
Regenerative braking system
Many scooters are equipped with electrical braking systems that use a generator that slows down the scooter whilst producing some electricity to recharge the battery. These are nice in theory, but in reality they do not slow down the scooter very effectively and produce very little energy.
Mechanical brake system
It is best to have at least one mechanical brake with your scooter so you have more stopping power.
Foot brakes: These brakes are a throwback to push scooters and rely on the user to push down on the rear fender putting pressure on the rear wheel and thus slowing the scooter down. They are effective, but not comfortable and very low-tech.
Drum brakes: These are effective brakes which connect to a pull-lever on the handlebar. The drum is usually attached to the rear wheel and can stop the scooter quite effectively when engaged. These may require occasional maintenance.
Disc brakes: Disc brakes are the most effective. These have an external disk mounted to the rear and/or front wheel. Again, they are operated via a lever and may need occasional maintenance.
Tyres
There are two things to consider about the wheels and tyres on your scooter: size and composition.
Generally speaking, the larger the wheels, the better. Larger wheels will give you more stability and performance. Small wheels struggle to get over bumps and are very rough over uneven surfaces. Wheels range from about 15-30cm with around 22cm being the most common. We recommend no less than 20cm.
You also want to be aware of what the tyres are made of. You can usually choose between solid wheels which never deflate and do not need maintenance or pneumatic air-filled tyres which may deflate or even go flat over time. We always recommend pneumatic tyres because they offer much more stability and performance. In addition, the air provides some cushion over rough surfaces whilst solid tyres transmit lots of vibration.
Suspension
If you are worried about a rough ride, then you should consider finding a scooter with some suspension to absorb shocks and vibrations. . Suspension can be front, rear or both, and the idea is that springs or shocks will offer some give so you do not feel all the bumps in the road. Suspension adds weight and cost to the purchase. If you are buying a scooter for recreation and planning to go off-road, then you should definitely find one with suspension.
Battery and charging
An electric scooter’s power source is an electric battery therefore it must be chosen wisely because the battery determines how far and fast you will be able to go and how quickly it will charge. There are 2 main types of batteries used in electric scooters:
- Lithium-ion battery - faster charge, lighter weight
- Lead-acid battery - longer charging, shorter lifespan
You will only find lead-acid in cheaper models like children's scooters. The industry standard for maximum power and rechargeability is Li-Ion.
Front and back light
Most scooters come equipped with a front light (either mounted high or low) and a rear light somewhere on the rear fender. The higher lights are the better because they will make it easier to see and be seen.
We also recommend getting a helmet light or adding a light to your backpack so people coming behind you in the dark can easily see you. Reflective clothing is another way to be seen and be safe.
IP rating
This “international protection” or “ingress protection” rating on a scooter tells how dust and water resistant the device is. The higher the IP rating the better.
When you buy your scooter, consider the environment where you live. How often will you be riding in the elements? We recommend an IP rating of at least IPX4 to survive some light mist and a few occasional puddles. IPX5 is good for rainier weather. If you plan to get a recreational scooter for off-roading, then you want something in the IP65-67 range.