Electric scooter guide
If you’re looking to join the fun with an electric scooter– there are a few important things you need to think about before handing over your hard earned cash for your zippy wheels.
What’s your travel / commute like?
How do you intend to use your electric scooter? Will you be commuting from A to B? Or are you planning long scooting journeys with mates on your new e-scooter?
Think about how far you need to travel on your new e-scooter. Note that hills and steep inclines tend to wear the battery out quicker than a flat road, so it’s worth noting how many hills you have on your journey, and it goes without saying the more weight on the scooter, the faster the battery burn. Take this into account when looking at range, or how far you can go (and return!) on a single charge.
As for speed, the faster electric scooters peak at 25km/h but some come with different speed modes to best suit your journey. In terms of power, note engine size and battery on your e-scooter because it impacts the accelerating ability. You won’t be able to optimise the engine’s capacity if the scooter has a small battery which cannot make good on your requirement.
What about riding safely on an electric scooter?
Handlebar brakes are an easy, and quick way to a stop when needed. But are you more comfortable with a back pedal brake? Think about what works best for you on your commute, and choose accordingly.
Similar to motor vehicles, electric scooter wheels are key in product execution & safety. Some electric scooters offer polyurethane wheels, while others come with rubber wheels. Rubber wheels are unlikely to puncture and offer shock absorption while riding. Also, wheels smaller than 8-inches in diameter won’t do well over long distances and on fluctuating ground. Check individual specs for reference to a suspension, so you’re getting something that absorbs riding shocks too.
While riding in dim or low-lit conditions, you need to be visible. Be comfortable with the lighting solution your e-scooter offers, or look at how you can up-spec your visibility. And finally, scooting with protective gear is strongly advised, and in some cases, mandated by the local road laws. Helmets are mandatory across Australia for electric scooter riding.
You’ll need to check the laws in your country of residence on riding motorized scooters to make sure all safety regulations are being respected. See below for links by state to relevant laws.
Do you need to fold and carry your e-scooters?
What happens when you get to your destination point? What will you do, or where can you store your scooter? Some e-scooters allow you to fold and carry onto the train, up escalators, or in an elevator. Think about how you’ll carry your new e-scooter if the charge runs out, or if you’re going up a flight of stairs. If you want a foldable scooter, check how easy the folding mechanism is - if you’re carrying a work bag along with a gym bag, the slick & easy folding systems will be a godsend. With non-foldable e-scooters, it’s a good idea to know what it weighs, in case you need to lug it.
How best to charge my electric scooter, and how long does it take?
Batteries and heat don’t work well together, especially during charging. If you’ve just ridden your scooter, let the freshly-used battery and other scooter electronics cool down at least 30 minutes before you plug in the charger, and best to make sure there isn’t any water drops from a recent ride near or around the charge portal. Water damage will not help any warranty claims you might try to make if the scooter shorts out while charging!
A pro-tip: if you want to prolong your battery life as much as possible, wait for minimum 5 minutes after charging, to ride. The battery may still be hot from charging, and it’s best not to ride it like that, just let the battery cool off a bit.
Most e-scooters will take between 3 and 8 hours to fully charge. The average charging time for more budget brands is 5 hours, and the average for all electric scooters is 6 hr 40 mins. Another pro tip is to create a regular charging schedule to you never find yourself short on power
So what laws do I need to consider before buying an electric scooter?
Electric scooter laws are annoyingly different by state in Australia. Here is a guide to state laws. But be sure to also keep abreast of changes or updates yourself, as states are regularly updating these requirements as e-scooters become more popular and widely used .
