Electric Scooter Buying Guide
If you’re considering buying an electric scooter, we’re not surprised. Not only are e-scooters fun to use, they’re also environmentally friendly and allow you to get around much faster than you would on foot.
However, not many people know what features they should pay attention to when buying an electric scooter. That’s why we’ve put together this electric scooter buying guide.
By the end of this article, you’ll know what the most important features are and how important they are to you. let’s start!
Things to Consider When Buying an Electric Scooter
Most people only consider their budget when buying an electric scooter. That is, they look at the cost of an electric scooter and choose the option that fits their pocket.
While this is always a key factor, it’s also important to see what features are right for you and your needs. Here are the main things you should pay attention to:
Dimensions and Weight
maximum load
speed
scope
Motor Power
pause
tire
brake
water resistance
reliability
1. Dimensions and weight
The size and weight of an electric scooter is one of the first things to consider. You want an electric scooter that’s the right size. For example, if the stem height doesn’t match your height, or if the deck is too narrow for you, riding an e-scooter will be uncomfortable for you.
You should also make sure that the e-scooter is portable so that it can be easily folded for storage or to take with you. For example, if you need to carry the electric scooter at some point, such as into the workplace, then you don’t need a very heavy electric scooter.
If you’re just cycling to and from home, weight and portability are no longer an issue.
size
2. Maximum load
The maximum load on an electric scooter is the limit of the weight it can support. Not all electric scooters support the same weight.
Many e-scooters have a maximum weight of 220 pounds (100 kilograms), while a few can handle heavier weights. You should make sure that the e-scooter you will get can support both your body weight and whatever load you are carrying (like a backpack).
First, it is not safe to ride on an e-scooter that exceeds its weight limit. The performance of your electric scooter will suffer as the scooter will struggle to reach top speed. Also, it can damage the scooter and void the warranty.
3. Speed
Many people want electric scooters that can reach very high top speeds so that they can feel the air in their hair while cruising.
The main determinant of the top speed of an electric scooter is the motor power. They range from 250-watt electric scooters with a top speed of around 12 mph to very powerful 3,000-watt electric scooters with a top speed of over 50 mph.
However, 15mph is the top speed for many scooters, which is enough to make a splash. This is about five times faster than walking.
Another important consideration when looking at speeds is your local laws, as they may have speed limits on e-scooters. If riding an e-scooter at this speed is illegal, why spend a lot of money on an e-scooter with crazy speed limits? It’s always a good idea to check.
speed
4. Scope
The range of an electric scooter is the distance it can travel before the battery runs out.
This should be an important consideration if you’ll be using an e-scooter to commute, as you don’t want your e-scooter to drain battery life on the go. If that happens, you’ll have to carry an e-scooter because, unlike an e-bike, you can’t complete the journey with pedals.
In this regard, most e-scooters on the market have a range of around 15 miles, and e-scooters capable of 20-30 miles are still fairly common. Electric scooters with 15 miles of range are perfect for most commutes.
If you want a high-end electric scooter with incredible range, there are plenty of options that can go well beyond 30 miles.
5. Motor power
Electric scooters have electric motors, and the power rating of the electric motors depends on their power.
Motor power is expressed in watts. The higher the wattage of an electric scooter, the more powerful it is. The starting power of electric scooters is generally 200 watts, and some are more than 3,000 watts.
Motor power is important because more powerful e-scooters accelerate faster and are better at climbing hills.
Electric scooters rated at 250 watts are perfect for general commuting. However, these will struggle on dirt or hills. So if you’re going to be riding rough terrain, or doing a lot of uphill riding, you might want to buy an e-scooter with a higher power rating.
Motor Power
6. Pause
Think of the suspension as a “shock absorber”. The suspension smooths out the bumps and gives you a premium ride.
If you’ll be using your e-scooter on paved roads, suspension may not be very necessary, but if you’re going to be riding rough terrain, a model with comfortable suspension is essential.
Without the suspension, every time you hit a bump, the vibration would be transmitted up to the handlebars and the ride would be very uncomfortable.
Suspension can be added to the front or rear or dual wheels. There are three types of suspension: spring type, hydraulic type and rubber type.
pause
7. Tires
The type of tires on the e-scooter is also an important consideration. There are two types of tires, solid tires and pneumatic tires.
Solid Tires – These are airless tires. They are all rubber, so they are very hard. This makes them puncture resistant and requires little maintenance. So if you’re going to be riding on very rough terrain with lots of sharp objects, you might consider an electric scooter with solid tires.
Pneumatic Tires – These are pneumatic tires. They can be tubeless or have tubes. Due to the air in them, pneumatic tires are more “springy”, which means they are able to reduce vibrations that are transmitted up to the handlebars. So, like the suspension, pneumatic tires can provide a more premium ride.
8. Brakes
Braking is a safety feature that brings the electric scooter to a sudden stop. It is absolutely necessary for you to buy an electric scooter with brakes for safety. In fact, some people prefer electric scooters with two braking systems so that if one fails, the second can be used to stop the scooter.
There are different types of braking systems in electric scooters.
Electronic Brake – This uses an electric motor for braking. They require little maintenance, but aren’t very effective at quickly stopping e-scooters at speeds above 15 mph.
Footbrake – This is a mechanical braking system activated by placing your foot on the rear fender. Braking power is better than electric brakes.
Drum and disc brakes – these are also mechanical braking systems. Disc brakes have the best performance, so are ideal if you need to stop quickly while riding at high speeds. Drum brakes have very consistent performance in wet conditions.
brake
9. Water resistance
Electric scooters usually come with an IP (ingress protection) rating. This shows the machine’s resistance to dust and water.
If you want to ride your electric scooter in any weather without worrying about water damaging it, choose a waterproof electric scooter.
In IP ratings, the letters “IP” are followed by two numbers (eg IP44). The first number is related to solids, such as dust, and the second number is related to liquids.
Just make sure the second number is at least 4. “4” means that the electric scooter can resist water splash from all directions. “5” means it can resist low pressure water jets from all directions, “6” means it can resist high pressure water jets from all directions.
10. Reliability
Reliability is the ability of an electric scooter to perform consistently well. After buying an electric scooter, you don’t want it to break after only a few uses. Make sure you buy a reputable and well-reviewed model.
Another consideration in terms of reliability is the warranty. You should buy from a company whose product is backed by a warranty. These companies will replace or repair the electric scooter for you if it breaks down during the warranty period.
Only choose electric scooters that offer a minimum 12-month warranty. You’ll even see some products that come with a 24-month warranty.
Reliability
Final thoughts
Some important things to consider when buying an electric scooter include motor power, range, ride quality, braking system and reliability.
It’s always important to consider how these capabilities relate to your needs. You should buy an electric scooter that fits your lifestyle. Portability may not be important to one person, but it may be important to others.
If you are looking for a new way of commuting or want a healthier lifestyle, we are here to help you. Visit our website to learn more about electric bikes and electric scooter or please leave information to us.