How to chose an e-scooter? Factors to consider before purchase
Many people ask themselves whether it is worth investing in an e-scooter for adults. An electric scooter is the most environmentally friendly means of urban transport. In addition, it saves you time and money - you can get around a congested city quickly and the cost of charging is just a few euros per month.
Many people ask themselves whether it is worth investing in an e-scooter for adults. An electric scooter is the most environmentally friendly means of urban transport. In addition, it saves you time and money - you can get around a congested city quickly and the cost of charging is just a few euros per month.
1 January 2022
Choosing the best e-scooter in 2024 is not easy. The number of models on the market is huge. However, regardless of where you rank, how you choose an electric scooter depends on your needs.
If you’re wondering which electric scooter is best for you, see tips from the experts at City Lion. We explain what to consider in order to get the right model designed specifically for you.
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How to buy the right electric scooter for you?
While choosing an electric scooter for adults and youth, it is worth paying close attention to the following parameters in the first place:
The price
The cost of an electric scooter depends on your expectations. It is possible to buy a decent piece of equipment for up to €350 , however, scooter prices can reach up to €5900.
If you are the owner of a e-scooter which is already years old and does not serve you as before – you can upgrade your own e-scooter instead of replacing it with a new one. It’s a cheaper solution, and in the spirit of zero waste.
A platform battery is a better replacement for the original built-in battery of your scooter. Its installation is recommended when the performance of the factory-installed battery has significantly decreased and no longer allows you to travel the same distance as you used to.
The e-scooter’s range
The range of an electric scooter is one of the most important parameters. It determines how far you are able to travel on a single charge. A new electric scooter usually allows you to travel around 15-30 km.
An electric scooter with a long range is a good choice if you need to cover longer distances without stopping for a charge. For example, if your work or school is far from home.
Even if the model you like doesn’t have as much range as you need – all is not lost. An additional external battery will increase the range of your scooter by up to 4 times.
To illustrate this with a concrete example, the Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter Pro 2 allows you to travel 30 km (with the original battery). An additional L-size external battery will extend this range to 65 km.
Check out our previous article for more information on the charging time of Xiaomi scooters.
Speed of the e-scooter
The speed of an electric scooter depends on the power of the motor. By default, scooters can reach speeds of up to 25 km/h.
However, since the new regulations came into force, even the fastest electric scooter must adhere to the 20 km/h limit. If riding on the pavement, the maximum speed must not exceed 6 km/h (it must be close to the speed of a pedestrian). Failure to comply with these regulations may result in a fine.
Wheels and tyres
An electric scooter for the city does not require very large wheels – 8-inch pumped tyres should be sufficient. You can also choose wheels with a diameter of 10 inches for better handling of bumps on city roads.
An electric scooter with large wheels will be better for riding on more challenging ground (grass, mud, etc.). The 12-inch wheels are suitable for rough roads and forest rides.
Furthermore, an off road electric scooter should have wide tyres and a non-slip platform. It is also important that the scooter’s tyres have a greater tread depth for a smooth ride.
Weight of the vehicle
The weight of an electric scooter is mainly determined by the size of the battery. The larger the battery, the heavier the vehicle.
Therefore, it is a good idea to adapt the scooter to your conditions. If you live or work on a high floor in a building without a lift, consider whether your condition allows you to carry a heavier scooter.
Maximum load on the vehicle
Be sure to pay attention to the scooter’s maximum load – overloading can be dangerous. User weight limits are usually 100 kg, 120 kg or 150 kg.
Electric scooter for kids
An e-scooter is not only a super piece of equipment for adults, but also fun for children. An electric scooter for a child needs to be suitable for height and weight. It should be lightweight, have wheels that are not too big and a lower handlebar.
You should also pay attention to whether the children’s electric scooter has a limited speed (for example up to 12 km/h). Some models allow you to select a suitable riding mode with a specific maximum speed.
Another important question is from what age riding an electric scooter is allowed.
In Poland, children under the age of 10 are not allowed to ride independently on public roads. They can only do so in residential zones under adult supervision.
In order for teenagers (aged between 10 and 18) to drive an electric scooter, a bicycle card or a driving licence in the AM, A1, B1 or T category is required.
Summary
You already know how to choose the best electric scooter. By following the tips above, the model you choose will be tailored to your needs.
Update date: 19 March 2024.
I co-founded City Lion in December 2019. We manufacture and assemble battery packs for light electric vehicles. Within three years, we became the most popular European manufacturer of electric kick scooter batteries. Since 2023 we also produce electric bicycle batteries.
