Now everywhere in our cities, the electric scooter represents the new trendy mode of transportation.
Ecological and silent, it will easily accompany you in all your daily travels. Whether as a complement or a replacement for your usual transportation, the electric scooter brings the pleasure of riding smoothly through traffic.
Are you considering buying an electric scooter in 2023 but feel lost among all the models and different features?
Here are 10 questions to ask yourself when choosing an electric scooter.
1- What is the intended use of the electric scooter?
First of all, to choose an electric scooter, it is important to define the use that will be made of it.
Are you considering buying an electric scooter for a child or an electric scooter for an adult? How often will you use your scooter? Should you carry it when using public transportation?
The answer to these questions will allow you to define the characteristics of the electric scooter to buy.
For a trip of less than 6 km per day, it is sufficient to use an entry-level scooter.
However, for a longer journey, it is advisable to choose a more powerful and more comfortable model.
2- What budget for my electric scooter?
Prices generally range from 120 euros for children's scooters to 3000 euros for high-end adult scooters (such as the Dualtron Thunder).
It is possible to find entry-level electric scooters for adults starting at 200 euros. However, if you are looking for a reliable and powerful model, you should budget more than 600 euros.
Prices generally vary depending on several factors: the type of battery, the materials used, the equipment and options, etc.
This does not prevent some electric scooters that sell for less than 500 euros (such as the Xiaomi M365 electric scooter) from offering a good value for money.
3- Does the manufacturer offer quality after-sales service?
The quality of after-sales service is a decisive criterion to consider when purchasing an electric scooter.
Generally, reputable brands are distinguished by the large size of their distribution network and authorized repairers. Before buying an electric scooter, first make sure that the manufacturer has a repair center that is not too far from your place of residence.
A quality after-sales service involves the availability of spare parts, the speed of processing warranty claims, the quality of reception... etc.
It is also clever to favor a seller with a strong presence on social media and electric scooter forums.
Thus, you will benefit from both the information shared by the manufacturer and that collected by users, and you will easily find solutions in case of problems.
4- What are the characteristics of the electric motor?
The drive system is the heart of the electric scooter. Its characteristics largely determine the vehicle's performance, including its speed, acceleration, and ability to climb a hill.
Almost all new electric scooters are driven by a brushless motor integrated into one of the wheels. When purchasing an electric scooter, special attention must be paid to three main characteristics: power, torque, and maximum speed.
Expressed in Watts, power indicates the amount of energy supplied by the motor per second. A motor with a power of 750 W, for example, provides 3 times more energy per second than a 250 W motor.
Torque represents the rotational force generated by the engine when it is running. It is expressed in Nm. As a general rule, the more torque an engine has, the more capable it is to ride the scooter uphill.
Moreover, the higher the motor power, the higher the maximum speed of the scooter and the more the battery tends to drain quickly.
It is therefore not always advantageous to choose the fastest electric scooter. The key is to opt for a good balance between motor power and battery life.
5- What are the characteristics of the battery?
Whatever the performance of an electric motor, it is worthless without a good battery! The performance of the electric scooter is therefore largely dependent on the characteristics of the battery:
- Technology
- The capacity
- The voltage
- Autonomy
- Charging time
The battery technology of the electric scooter
In terms of technology, there are two types of batteries for electric scooters: lead batteries and lithium batteries.
Of an old design, lead-acid batteries are still used on children's scooters. They are heavy and require a long charging time (up to 12 hours!).
The new foldable scooters are generally equipped with Lithium batteries (Lithium Polymer Li-Po or Lithium ion Li-ion), which are lighter, more durable, and faster to charge.
Battery capacity
Capacity represents the amount of energy that the battery can provide, when fully charged, during a complete discharge cycle. It is expressed in Ah. Voltage corresponds to the tension in the electric circuit of the scooter.
The higher the capacity and voltage, the longer the battery life. A battery with a capacity of 7.8 Ah and a voltage of 36 V can thus offer a range of 25 to 30 km.
Battery life
Attention nonetheless! The autonomy announced by manufacturers corresponds to a value simulated in the laboratory. The actual autonomy depends on several factors, including the user's weight, driving style, speed, type of road, etc.
If your electric scooter battery has lost its range and you want to regain it previous performances, find on our website all the battery models for every electric scooter available on the market!
Moreover, it is possible for you to choose 4 different methods to solve this autonomy problem, here they are:
By answering this questionnaire, you will be put in direct contact with our experts who will quickly suggest the product you need!
Last criterion to consider when buying an electric scooter: the charging time! On average, the ideal charging time for an electric scooter is 2 to 3 hours.
6- What are the dimensions and weight of the electric scooter?
A compact and lightweight electric scooter is perfect for long trips, especially if you need to carry it on public transport or up stairs.
Several factors influence the weight of the electric scooter: the materials used to manufacture the frame, the type of battery, the braking system, and the type of motor.
It is therefore advisable to choose a lightweight and compact scooter. Ideally, the weight should be less than 18 kg.
7- Is the electric scooter comfortable?
Here is a basic question! Obviously, a scooter must be comfortable, especially if you plan to use it for long trips.
For a comfortable ride, preferably choose a scooter equipped with the following features:
- A damping system.
- Large inflatable wheels (8 inches or more).
- An adjustable height handlebar with ergonomic grips.
- A large deck with a non-slip coating.
- A quick folding system that is easy to handle.
- A comfortable braking command.
8- Is the electric scooter safe?
Since it is a full-fledged means of transportation, driving safety should never be taken lightly. Make sure the vehicle is equipped with an effective braking system to avoid the risk of accidents.
While entry-level scooters are equipped only with mechanical friction brakes, premium models also feature a more powerful magnetic brake usually integrated into the rear wheel.
Ideally, it is best to choose a scooter equipped with a disc braking system at the front and rear and a magnetic brake. The frame should also be sturdy enough to support the user's weight and withstand weather conditions.
9- What accessories are provided with the scooter?
In addition to the basic equipment, some scooters are equipped with very practical accessories:
- A parking stand.
- A cruise control system allowing the speed to be set throughout the journey.
- A display screen to view driving information: battery range, instantaneous speed, ambient temperature, distance traveled, total mileage, speed mode, etc. Some models are also equipped with a Bluetooth interface.
- An LED lighting system at the front and rear.
- An anti-theft system.
The richer the standard equipment package, the more practical and efficient the scooter is.
10 - What are the rules to follow when using an electric scooter?
Before buying an electric scooter, it is good to get information about the legal aspect of using this type of vehicle. Since July 2020, new rules have come into effect for the use of Personal Motorized Mobility Devices (PMDs). It is therefore important to stay informed on the subject to avoid a fine during your electric scooter rides.
Use the bike lanes
To date, electric scooter riders must therefore travel on bike lanes in urban areas. In the absence of bike lanes, you must use roads with a maximum speed limit of 50 km/h or pedestrian areas, provided you travel at a very slow speed (6 km/h) so as not to disturb pedestrians.
If some municipalities still allow access to sidewalks for electric scooters at low speed, we advise avoiding their use to avoid being subject to checks and fines.
The helmet for electric scooters is still not mandatory at the time of writing this article, but it is strongly recommended. It is important for your safety especially since the majority of injuries observed in electric scooter accidents occur to the head (40%).
The latest regulations specifically concern your vehicle. It must be equipped with a braking system. While all models on the market have one, the law does not specify the number or type of brakes required.
Good visibility, both day and night
The horn is itself part of the new mandatory equipment, just like the front and rear position lights, as well as reflective strips on the sides (reflectors).
The mandatory horn must be equipped with a bell or a chime fixed on the handlebar whose sound can be heard at 50 meters. The electric horn is therefore not accepted, unless it makes the sound of a bell. If you do not comply with this rule, you risk a fine ranging from 11 to 17 euros.
The front light of your electric scooter must emit a non-dazzling light of yellow or white color, while the rear light must be red. To increase your visibility to others on the road, orange reflective strips must be present on the sides of your electric scooter.
If you are missing certain equipment on your machine, contact your dealer to have them installed without delay. Note that adhesive reflectors are accepted.
The reflective vest was already mandatory in low light or at night.
A mandatory insurance for driving with peace of mind
Finally, know that the electric scooter user is required to have liability insurance. This mandatory insurance covers damages caused to others and is dedicated to a single vehicle. That is to say, as with cars, each electric scooter must be insured. We therefore advise you to contact your insurer to adapt, for example, your home insurance contract or to subscribe to a specific contract for the new electric vehicle.