Published on June 26th, 2020 | by Bibhuranjan

Three Things To Consider When Buying An Electric Scooter

Electric scooters from manufacturers vary widely in price ranges and features. There are those that only cost $100 with a modest set of features, and there are also scooters above $2,000 with various extra features, powerful motor, and huge battery capacity.

The thing is, not all expensive scooters delivered good enough features and qualities for their price, and on the other hand there are affordable scooters that offer well above its price range.

So, how should you make your choice? This is why understanding the right factors that affect the electric scooter’s quality is important, as we will discuss below.

Speed

In electric scooters, there are two different types of speeds: the comfortable cruising speed and maximum speed.

That is, an electric scooter might claim to have an impressive 20mph top speed, but it’s very not comfortable to ride in this maximum speed, and so the more realistic, comfortable cruising speed is actually only 13mph. Again, be careful of your manufacturer’s claim in this case.

In most cases, the claimed speeds are based on a 150lbs (around 70kg) person riding the scooter on a flat and smooth surface with properly inflated tires (if it’s using air-filled tires). 15mph of comfortable cruising speed is generally ideal, and to put it into context, the average walking speed is around 4mph and the average bicycle speed is around 14 mph.

Obviously the actual speed of your electric scooter will be affected by many factors from road gradient to terrain type to your bodyweight, among others.

Weight and Size

If you need to fold and carry your electric scooter, then its weight and folded size should be a major consideration. If you need to walk up stairs during your daily ride, then you’d want a light electric scooter. Also, maybe due to bad weather or other reasons you need to take a rideshare home. In such cases, you’d appreciate a compact and light electric scooter that you can easily put in the trunk.

It’s important to consider that scooters with relatively longer range (above 15 miles) will weigh over 25 pounds, which are relatively heavy. Also, you might want one with a handle or shoulder strap for easier transportation. Some scooters do offer extra wheels so you can roll them when folded, but you’d still need to carry them up the stairs or into a car trunk.

Also, consider the bar height and width, as well as deck size that will contribute to the overall folded size. If you can, try to find one below 25 pounds.

Brakes

The electric scooter’s brakes are one of the most important aspects to consider in an electric scooter. Enough braking power is crucial in ensuring the safety of our e-scooter. Since the electric scooter can catch up the speed fairly quickly, you’d want enough stopping power.

There are several different types of e-scooter brakes including:

V-brakes
Band brakes
Regenerative electric brakes
Caliper brakes
Disc brakes (hydraulic, mechanical)
Drum brakes
Rearfoot brakes

Each with its own unique qualities and advantages. In general, however, hydraulic disc brakes are your best option, followed by mechanical disc brakes. V-brakes, band, and drum brakes are also pretty good, depending on the brand and quality.

It is, however, important to note that any brake will break. However, if properly maintained, hydraulic disc brakes can last pretty long with pretty stable performance. Also, some high-end electric scooters offer state-of-the-art regenerative or electric brakes, which are very smooth and reliable (but expensive), but they won’t let you stop quickly.

So, to summarize:

Disc brakes have the most stopping power so they can stop your electric scooter quickly. They are also lighter than drum brakes. Typically found on the more expensive high-performance and premium-commuter scooters, but some midrange scooters also feature them.
Drum brakes are placed inside the wheel hub, and so are lower maintenance than other braking types with great performance in wet conditions.
Rearfoot brakes are activated manually by pushing your foot down on the rear fender. The brake will then rub against the rear wheel and slow down your scooter. It has reliable stopping power and is practical, and most electric scooters offer this brake besides another type. The movement may take time to master, but generally reliable.
Regenerative and electric brakes are the smoothest but also has the weakest stopping power. They can’t stop your electric scooter quickly from its top speed. However, they offer very low maintenance.

End Words

Above, we have discussed the most important factors to consider when choosing between different electric scooters. In general, you should first figure out what you’ll need in an electric scooter: specific features, cruising range based on your daily commutes, maximum speed, ride quality, and so on. Read more about the benefits of having an electric scooter in Toronto before you decide and choose the most affordable electric scooter that can cater to your needs.

Photo by Mearth Technology from Pexels

Tags: automobile, battery, electric, scooters

About the Author

Bibhuranjan Editorial Officer, technofaq.org I'm an avid tech enthusiast at heart. I like to mug up on new and exciting developments on science and tech and have a deep love for PC gaming. Other hobbies include writing blog posts, music and DIY projects.