What to look for when buying an electric scooter?

Electric scooters with zero carbon emission and a reasonable price to any other mobility vehicle become popular among the young generation. They are pocket-friendly and your best companion in terms of traffic jams, reach in time to your desired place without much hazard.

Using electric scooters helps people to play their part in contributing to the Go Green Revolution towards the environment. The consumption of electricity is much more economical than conventional gasses. Looking at all these factors I also purchased an electric scooter. Here my trouble started as a beginner. I was unaware of the features that should be noticed while buying an electric scooter. 

It felt like I was on a roller coaster ride and lots of questions emerged in my mind. All the suggestions I got from my friends, colleagues, and neighbors confused me about selecting the correct electric scooter for my needs. I tried and tested some of them from someone I know. I do not trust the salesperson to learn about the products. I researched and gathered valuable tips for those who want to know “what to look for when buying an electric scooter?” As I spend lots of time researching I don’t want anyone else to suffer for the same. This article contains all the facts as a detailed guide for selecting the right vehicle.

There are many models available in the market, cost being the prime factor, apart from this, there are major key factors that cannot be negotiated.

You can easily compare, going through these features like:

• Budget – Budget decides the quality and number of features in your electric scooter. It varies from 300$ to 1500$. You must look for the features you need. Purchasing an electric scooter depending on the looks is not advisable.
• Style and design – Depending on build quality, color, and convenience features select the design that matches your personality.
• Type of tyres – There are two types: solid and air-filled tyres. Solid tyres require less maintenance and cannot go flat but have poor traction and ride quality. Air-filled tyres give better ride quality, they have inner tubes that can be replaced if damaged but they need maintenance and regular check-ups.  
• Size of wheels – They vary in size from 6 to 16 inches, 6 inches mainly of kid’s electric scooter. 8.5 inches is ideal for stability whereas 10 inches and more are generally meant for off-road capabilities with maximum performance.
• Handlebar – Rising handlebars can be adjustable as per your requirement. 
• Deck size – Footing space will decide your correct posture and comfortability to ride for hours. A wide deck will provide you with a better riding posture as compared to a narrow deck.
• Weight limit – It will affect the top speed to the ultimate range. The weight limit of an electric scooter is mentioned in the user manual and one must never violate it. Exceeding the weight limit can lead to serious damage to the suspension, motor, battery, front and rear, and many more.
• Battery capacity – Must have an adequate battery as it is the ultimate power source. The battery capacity of an electric scooter may vary from 250 Wh to 1200 Wh. One can choose an electric scooter with high battery capacity for long rides.
• Motor capacity – All electric scooters have one motor, and powerful ones have dual motors. It starts with 250 watts.
• LED Light and indicator – The headlights illuminate your path and help you to see obstacles before they affect you.
• Suspension – It absorbs shock, and makes the wheel stable while hitting bumps on the road. Suspension is very essential for an electric scooter as it prevents damage to the rims of the wheels and also the motor hub located in it.
• Braking system – There are two types – Disc brake and ABS. Look for the one as per your requirement. I would like to recommend disc brakes because they are long-lasting, durable, and powerful as compared to ABS brakes.
• IP (Ingress Protection) rating – It tells you how well it can handle road and weather conditions. A high IP rating makes your electric scooter favorable for dusty and rainy regions. 
• Portability – Easy to carry onto a metro, car, store at work, or stow away, when not in use. Modern electric scooters are foldable which makes them space efficient.
• Range or mileage – The average range is between 35 to 40 mph on a single charge. One must choose an electric scooter with a higher range for long rides.
• Maximum Speed Limit  – The maximum speed limit ranges from 15 to 25 mph. The speed of an electric scooter can be increased by removing the speed limiter.
• Warranty – Generally the warranty varies between 6 months to 2 years. Many companies offer some limited warranty, read the fine print to understand what is covered.
• Extra Features – charger, helmet, elbow, knee pad, closed-foot shoes, reflective gear protection against falls or accidents. 

Important questions need to be noted:

1. What is your budget?
2. How far do you go?
3. What is your total rider’s weight?
4. What are the conditions of the roads you will ride on?
5. What are your expectations for top speed and range?
6. Will you be lifting it to staircases?

Conclusion – It would be highly advisable to check your local laws and regulations applicable to electric vehicles, as safety matters so always wear the safety gear. Daily or weekly maintenance increases the lifespan of your electric scooter. There are many DIYs available that can help you to overcome minor issues. Do not change or replace any parts that can void your warranty, contact your manufacturer first and go through the user manual. Do your homework before you purchase.