Are you considering buying an electric scooter to make your commute more convenient? Owning an electric scooter includes many perks, like accessible transportation, cost savings, and eco-friendly rides.
However, don’t just get the first e-scooter you see. Think about your commuting needs and consider the several factors you need to look for when buying an e-scooter.
Selecting the best e-scooter will help you solve your commuting pain points, maximise your unit, and get the best value for your money.
So, before buying an e-scooter, check out our complete buyer’s electric scooter guide to know how to choose the right electric scooter based on your needs and lifestyle.
What Should You Look For?
Start by learning about the different factors when looking for an electric scooter. Looking at each aspect carefully can help you find a suitable e-scooter model.
Ride Quality
Ride quality is your overall experience while riding an e-scooter. To determine the ride quality, check for the following factors.
Solid Tyres vs. Pneumatic Tyres
E-scooter tyres are either solid (airless) or pneumatic (air-filled). Some e-scooter models use both types of tyres.
Solid tyres come in a few varieties: solid, honeycomb, and polymer-filled. Since it’s not filled with air, these tyres have little to no cushioning, resulting in bumpy or rattling rides. Plus, they can be slippery on wet roads. However, some prefer them since they’re puncture-proof and easy to maintain.
Meanwhile, pneumatic tyres have two varieties: tubeless and inner tube tyres. Most riders prefer these tyres since they absorb better shock and handling in bad weather. However, they’re prone to punctures and require more maintenance.
Consider the pros and cons of each tyre when looking at an e-scooter. However, we highly recommend pneumatic tyres, which offer better comfort and shock absorption.
Suspension
An electric scooter suspension helps reduce the rattling and bumpiness of a ride, especially when riding through rough and uneven terrain. If you need an e-scooter that can ride on off-road paths, strongly consider one that has suspension.
Suspension systems come in as spring, rubber, or hydraulic suspension. The best type of suspension for e-scooters includes a combination of hydraulic and spring suspensions.
Deck & Stem
The main body of your electric scooter mainly consists of the deck and stem. There’s no standard size for these parts, but it can affect your ride quality, depending on your height and weight.
If you’re taller, look for an e-scooter with an adjustable stem to have better posture while riding. Note that few e-scooters in the market have adjustable stems and handlebars.
Meanwhile, if you’re on the heavier side, consider getting a deck with a broader base since it’ll give you enough room to balance on your e-scooter.
Portability
A portable electric scooter has minimal weight and compact size, allowing you to bring it anywhere. Consider portability if you’re thinking of riding an e-scooter to work, bringing it into your office, and storing it under your desk.
Portable e-scooters usually weigh around 11 kg to 14 kg. Meanwhile, dimensions vary per model. The best way to check if the size is portable is to check it in person.
Build Quality
Build quality refers to an e-scooter’s durability. What material did an e-scooter use? Ideally, you want to look for an e-scooter using aerospace-grade material or a durable type of aluminium for its frames or bodies. These materials can withstand more pressure and impact and can last long.
However, the best way to test its durability is to see it up close and give it a test ride. Also, avoid e-scooters that are only made with plastic since they are less durable.
Safety
All e-scooters use a brake, but what type of brake should you choose? E-scooters use mechanical or electronic braking systems, while some incorporate both for increased safety.
Mechanical brakes are the most common. Here are the different types of mechanical brakes:
Meanwhile, an electronic braking system includes electric and regenerative braking.
Also, an e-scooter should be equipped with lights at the front and back to ensure your safety and visibility when riding at night.
Performance
Finally, performance is a good determinant of ride quality. When looking at performance, you must check for the electric scooter’s speed, range, motor, and gradeability.
Most e-scooters restrict their top speed to 25 kph due to Australia’s e-scooter law. However, you can ride them at higher speeds if riding on private property by overriding the settings.
The range depends on your preference, but most commuter e-scooters can go from 20 km to 40 km. In contrast, high-performance e-scooters like the Ultra 10 Pro can go up to 90 km.
Meanwhile, the motor determines how much power your e-scooter can exert. If you need to ride through rough terrain or climb hills, you’ll need an engine with at least 1,000 W power. Otherwise, look for an e-scooter with at least 400 W for decent performance.
Finally, gradeability is the maximum angle you can ride your e-scooter. Most commuter electric scooters have a 10% to 15% gradeability, meaning they can go up or down 5° to 10°-inclines. On the other hand, off-road e-scooters can climb steep hills of up to 30°.
Warranty and Customer Support
Most electric scooter brands have a 12-month warranty covering the frame, motor, battery, and controller. Some manufacturers cover other parts but with a limited warranty.
You’ll also find a few dealers and manufacturers that offer up to two years of warranty. Ideally, you want a brand with a long warranty period covering most e-scooter parts.
Regarding customer support, look for a brand that offers various contact details, like an email address, phone number, and website contact form. You can also check their responsiveness by reaching out to these channels and noting how fast they respond and how helpful they are.
Maintenance
Owning an electric scooter means keeping it in good condition for it to last. Although electric scooter maintenance is inevitable, you can reduce maintenance issues and cost by choosing the right e-scooter.
For example, an e-scooter with solid tyres will need less maintenance since it’s puncture-proof, unlike pneumatic tyres. Solid tyres are a more practical choice if you prefer less maintenance and can sacrifice your ride quality.
Ownership Cost
How much does it cost to own an electric scooter? The cost will vary depending on the type of e-scooter you buy and how you’ll maintain it.
Most decent commuter e-scooters start at $600, while high-performance e-scooters can cost over $1,500. Meanwhile, servicing, repairs, and e-scooter parts can cost around $35 to $500, depending on your maintenance issue.
Although the overall ownership cost of an e-scooter is significantly lower than a car, you still need to be ready for it.
What Should You Avoid?
Here are common mistakes you should avoid when buying an electric scooter.
Not Determining What You Need
Before buying an electric scooter, identify your needs and preferences first. Try asking yourself the following questions:
- What will I use it for?
- Do I need to go long or short distances?
- Will I be riding hills or rough terrains?
- Will I need to carry the e-scooter and store it in a small space?
Answering these questions will help you determine what e-scooter will suit your needs. Knowing what you need and want beforehand will prevent you from buying an e-scooter that doesn’t suit your lifestyle and solve your commuting needs.
Not Doing Enough Research
After identifying your needs, take the time to research the different brands and models available. It’ll help you see your options based on your preferences and help you find the best one within your budget.
Also, try reading different electric scooter guides to help you understand how they work, how to take care of them, and what issues you might expect.
Not Knowing Your Electric Scooter Laws
As of writing, QLD, ACT, TAS, and WA are the only Australian states that allow privately-owned electric personal mobility devices in public. If you don’t live in these states, you can still buy an e-scooter but can’t ride them in public paths and spaces.
Moreover, e-scooter laws define the e-scooter specs you can use in public. So, check your city or state’s e-scooter laws and consider the requirements when buying an e-scooter.
Buying from Unbranded Electric Scooters
Buying from branded and reliable manufacturers may be obvious, but some might consider purchasing unbranded e-scooters since they’re cheaper.
While there’s nothing wrong with buying budget e-scooters, know that you’ll get what you pay for. Unbranded electric scooters usually have poor quality since they don’t undergo the extensive quality checks that most brands conduct. As a result, it can also be unsafe for you to use.
So, look for reliable brands like EleKtro, and choose from their range of electric scooters.
Choose the Right Electric Scooter for Your Commutes
We hope this electric scooter guide helps you identify your needs, learn about the different factors to consider and narrow your choices.
Remember that no electric scooter can cater to every need. Each scooter caters to specific needs and lifestyles, so choose the best e-scooter based on these conditions.
For more electric scooter guides and news, check out EleKtro’s blog page.
