Reasons to Join the Electric Scooter Craze

If you are a city dweller, an electric scooter can become your best friend. With it, you won’t have to fear traffic jams or worry about parking. You will no longer have to wait for the tube or the bus – your e-scooter guarantees real autonomy and less travel time. Furthermore, by using an e-scooter to reach your destinations, the expenses related to the trips by car or public transport are greatly reduced. With fuel costs constantly rising, using an e-scooter for that same distance is significantly cheaper.

And if you are tired of having the worry about car maintenance, insurance and regular oil changes, you will enjoy your new e-scooter even more. The only thing you should do before leaving home is charging it. There’s no maintenance to think of or parts to pay for down the road. That is because electric scooters are built to be durable and long-lasting. They are definitely one of the best innovations in the last several years.

With the many benefits they offer, it’s no wonder that we are seeing more and more people effortlessly driving their electric scooters in countries all over the world. But this popularity also means there is a wide range of electric scooter models and features to choose from.

Electric Scooter Considerations for Australian Conditions

Which electric scooter is best? First off, you need to focus on the overall quality of the ride that the scooter can provide you. The scooter you choose should be designed for the uneven and inconsistent terrain that Australia is known for. Options that are designed for perfectly smooth and consistent surfaces aren’t ideal for Australian pavements and roads – not to mention off-road activities.

Three main factors can affect the ride’s quality:

• Wheel Size – Scooters with wheels smaller than 20 centimetres in diameter usually provide an unpleasant riding experience, particularly when riding on long distances and uneven terrain.
• Tyre Construction – Air-filled tyres make the ride much smoother compared to solid tyres. However, you will want to invest in tyres that have a ‘puncture-proof’ fluid inside, which helps your tyres to self-repair when on the go.
• Suspension Systems – You should consider a suspension system that is intelligently designed and will not hinder the overall power of performance of your scooter. This doesn’t mean you need a big suspension system, but something that can cushion big blows and uneven terrains.

Considering that many laws stipulate that e-scooters must be used in the bicycle lane, it’s imperative that the scooter has a minimum speed that would match the speed of a bike. This will not only prevent you from being in a commuter’s way but it will also ensure you have enough speed to accelerate out of situations that require a quick response. When it comes to how fast do electric scooters go, certain factors play a big role. The power of the battery is often the most important one, but you should also consider the engine’s wattage. The weight of the rider, the tyres and the terrain can also impact speed. Depending on all these factors, most decent electric scooter models will reach a top speed of 20 mph. With improved batteries, some models might be capable of reaching speeds to up to 30 mph. I recommend you to choose a scooter that can reach a speed of at least 24 km/h.

How long does it take to charge an electric scooter?

This will depend on the power rating of the battery and capacity of the scooter and can be confirmed with the chart given by the manufacturer. Generally, a fully charged battery works around 60 -80 km for some scooters while for others it will be 40 km. To charge the scooter you will need a standby battery that will be charged and another battery for when the scooter is running. The charge time depends on the capacity of the battery and the manufacturer’s design. It may be for 8, 12 or 24 hours. The exact time of charging is mentioned in the product’s description or in the instruction manual that’s supplied by the manufacturer. The battery charger usually comes with the e-scooter to suit the batteries.

Wondering is an electric scooter worth it? Definitely! Another great reason to ride an e scooter is that it is quite fun. And although riding a scooter isn’t an intense workout, the balance you need to ride the scooter can be a great exercise for your core. So, aside from reducing your carbon footprint and saving money, you’ll be also working on your physique. Win, win, win!