The Benefits of E-Scooters & How to Choose the Best One for Your Needs

When it comes to getting around town quickly, effortlessly and economically, electric scooters are the solution. With an electric scooter, you can drive easily in crowded areas, fit where other vehicles cannot drive and park in small spaces where cars are not allowed.

source: @scootervillage

Most models can be folded quickly and conveniently up to briefcase-size, making a parking space completely unnecessary. You can simply fold your scooter, bring it into your office and place it in a very small space or closet until it’s time to go home. This will give you peace of mind knowing that your scooter will not be able to be stolen by any individual while lying in the parking lot.

There are other alternatives of transportation that solve the problems of a car, but many find them too bulky or too technical to be practical. Motorbikes, for example, are great when it comes to finding parking space, but you need a license and insurance to ride one. Traditional bikes are also great, but you’ll often need to leave it chained up outside or at risk of being stolen. Plus, traditional bikes are too larger to be considered truly portable.

source: scootersdream.com

As you can see, electric scooters offer you benefits that other forms of transport simply cannot. But in order to enjoy these benefits, picking the right scooter is essential. When you visit a scooter shop there are many options, so how do you know which one is best for you?

Weight

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Here you will need to consider both the carrying weight of the scooter, as it impacts its portability, as well as the weight limit for riders. So, think about your commuting route and how much weight you can deal with up the stairs or hold steady while riding the bus. Depending on the motor you choose, standard scooters can weigh as little as 10 to 12 kilos and support riders weighing 120 kilos or less.

Design

source: ecorides.com.au

To avoid looking like a kid on a kick scooter, choose an electric scooter with elegant design features. Skip on scooters that have messy wiring and choose a model that has everything encased in the handlebar. All the controls should be right at your fingertips, and foldable design will make it easy to carry and store. You may even be able to customise the colours on your scooter to suit your personal style. While looking cool on your ride may not be your top priority, it’s definitely worth considering.

Kilometres Per Charge

How often you will have to charge your scooter will depend on its battery life. If you’ll be travelling with your e-scooter over long distances, make sure that a full charge will at least get you where you need to go. It’s also wise to check how long it takes to charge your scooter and how portable the battery pack is. Models that have a 25-kilometre range and take 4 to 5 hours for a full charge are great options to consider.

Motor Power

You’ll want to choose an electric scooter with a lest 250 watts of power. That will ensure the scooter can get you across the flat ground and over small hills. Scooters with dual motors or a more powerful single motor may be a better choice if you live in an area with lots of hills.

Maximum Speed

source: ft.com

If you’re a person who likes to drive fast, make sure to choose a scooter that can keep up with you. But don’t forget to consider weather conditions and safety when making your decision. Top speed for most electric scooters is around 30 kph, but you may not need to travel that fast.

Lighting

To ensure your safety, make sure your scooter comes with sufficient lighting. While you can always purchase additional lights for your scooter from a scooter shop, the best ones have great lighting already built-in. Keep in mind that any after-dark riding requires both front and back lights. Scooters equipped with high-brightness LED headlights and LED taillights will provide great lighting for a night riding.

Brakes

Electric scooters come with a few different types of brakes including electric or regenerative, foot brakes, drum brakes and disc brakes. Out of all these types, disc brakes are the most effective and reliable, but they are generally only found in the high-end models.

Tires

Tires on e-scooters can be with pneumatic or airless. Pneumatic tires provide better shock absorption, but they also require more maintenance than airless tires. Some scooter models come with airless rubber tires that are ventilated for shock absorption. These tires allow you to enjoy a smooth ride without the risk of getting a flat tire.

Warranty

Remember that not all electric scooters come with a warranty you can count on. You should be especially wary when buying directly from a foreign country. There are also plenty of cheap scooters available online that don’t come with a warranty to protect your purchase. Give preference to scooters that come with at least a one-year warranty. Some manufacturers will send a brand new scooter if there is any malfunction in the first three months.