In this buying guide, you will discover a lot of information to choose the perfect model among the best electric scooters on the market, read on to find out more details, reviews, and much more.
In a world with tight rhythms, but at the same time increasingly attentive to the environment, scooters are starting to appear more and more often on the streets. The models are constantly increasing, therefore it is normal to feel a little disoriented when you have to make a choice for the purchase.
Right below we had selected the best models of electric scooters.
Things to Consider Before Buying Electric Scooters
What It Is and What It Is Used For
The electric scooter is the modern evolution of the classic push scooter, born in the early twentieth century in the United States and widely used by children. The electric version of the scooter was born thanks to the addition of a motor connected to a battery and to acceleration and braking controls.
The direct consequence was the opening of its use to people of any age. The scooter has thus transformed from a toy into a real prince in the world of smart micro-mobility.
For the purchase of an electric scooter, it is generally recommended to have had experience with a mechanical model first, for the speed that these vehicles can reach, but it is not an absolute rule.
How Does It Work
The operation of an electric scooter is based on the power supply of a rechargeable battery through a normal wall socket. By means of the controls located on the handlebar, it becomes possible to accelerate or a brake.
The engine is mounted on the frame and receives the charge from the battery thanks to a cable system. The power that is born inside the engine is therefore transmitted to the wheels and this allows the scooter to move.
With time and the consequent advancement of technology, it has been possible to develop more and more advanced battery types, as well as the structure of the scooter itself has seen and continues to see great improvements.
Maximum Speed and Power
One of the fundamental parameters for choosing the model of electric scooter that best suits your needs is undoubtedly the maximum speed and the power it can offer. As for power, an adult vehicle can go from 250W to 1000W.
However, it can be said that an engine usually needs 300W for quiet routes and at least 500W to satisfactorily cover even slightly more demanding or not exactly flat roads. In this regard, the wheels also play an important role, as they must be suitable for slopes.
As for speed, this can potentially reach 50 km / h, but as the law does not allow it, as mentioned earlier, a speed reducer is applied in these models.
Design, Weight, and Dimensions
The portability of the electric scooter is without a doubt a really important feature, as it allows you to have your means of transport always and everywhere with you. In this regard, the market offers many possibilities.
If you do not have particular needs, there are light and practical models, some even foldable, to allow transport even on public transport. If instead, it is necessary to face more demanding routes, you can buy a more robust and heavy model. Some models even come with a seat. This obviously makes everything very comfortable, but it drastically decreases portability.
Autonomy and Battery
Most electric scooters use lithium-ion batteries, which are also the ones that offer the best performance. However, this is not the only solution, as a model can also have multiple batteries, thus increasing the autonomy of the vehicle.
The travel time possible on a single charge, therefore, depends on many factors, in addition to the battery itself, such as the characteristics of the road and the travel speed. In principle, however, it is possible to say that electric scooters designed for adults, therefore with much more advanced features, can even offer 40 km on a single charge.
Once the battery is totally used up, the time required for it to be back to its full potential can go from three to five hours. If properly cared for and maintained, a battery can last for more than two years.
So the keywords, as regards the battery, in choosing an electric scooter are:
- Capacity, also called autonomy, ie how much distance can be done with a single recharge;
- Duration, ie the number of charges that can be made before arriving at the time of replacement;
- Charging time, i.e. how long you need to keep the battery connected to the power to reach a full charge.
Wheels and Suspensions
The wheels play a decisive role in the performance of the electric scooter. The presence of two large and resistant wheels makes the vehicle ideal for routes with little slope, but with holes and bumps.
To move mainly in the city, small and light wheels are certainly the best choice. The tires available may also have an inner tube or not, depending on the model taken into consideration.
As for the suspension, the best choice is tending to choose it solidly on both the rear and front wheels. The downside of this option is however the pride that rises in these cases.
Safety
Being in all respects a means of transport, also towards the electric scooter it is necessary to pay attention to everything related to safety and resistance . The brake system is undoubtedly one of the most important factors. There are different types, based on the scooter model itself.
Disc, drum, and pedal are certainly the most common types of brakes. At the same time, however, electronic, mechanical, and regenerative ones are available. However, disc brakes remain the ones with the highest performance, especially on wet roads. The drum brakes follow soon after in quality.
The regenerative system is the most innovative one. With this technology, the battery is recharged when braking, just like in electric cars. Unfortunately, however, this solution is both less performing and more tied to battery conditions.
In any case, the approved models are still able to guarantee all safety standards. Some models of scooters have rear brakes, others place this element at the front, but it is also possible to find the presence of both.
As well as the brakes, the strength of the materials is also very important. On average, an electric scooter manages to support a maximum weight ranging from 70 to 100 kilos, depending on the model. The premiums, therefore the heaviest, can even support 140 kilos.
