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Pop quiz! Quick, what takes you to work on time, doesn’t burn fuel, and costs $600 or less?
No, it’s not a bicycle or super-cheap smart car.
Stumped?
MEET THE ELECTRIC SCOOTER
Electric scooters are an often-overlooked mode of short-distance transport that have some real environmental and cost benefits over most vehicles. Looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint? Most electric scooters run on lithium-ion or lead-acid rechargeable batteries instead of gasoline or diesel, so they don’t have any carbon emissions! Want to zip to work in the morning and skip that rush hour traffic? Electric scooters can be used on road shoulders and sidewalks to bypass the morning crawl, and they travel at speeds up to 25mph! Looking for a way to cut down on your daily commute costs? Electric scooters are a cheap, low-maintenance alternative to vehicles that save you tons of money over almost any car! In this case, you really can have it all; save the planet, beat the morning traffic, and keep your commute costs low. Meet your new best friend, the Electric Scooter.
Scooters aren’t just for kids anymore. As the roads fill with increasing numbers of cars, and carbon emissions become more of a concern, electric scooters are rising as a viable alternative mode of short-distance transport. Not only are they environmentally friendly, electric scooters are vastly less expensive than electric vehicles, as well as being more compact, faster to recharge, and in most areas don’t require insurance and licensing. Plus, they are increasingly fashionable with hundreds of new designs ranging far beyond the simple electric kick scooter, so you don’t necessarily have to look like your seven-year-old self scooting around the neighborhood (although if you want to recapture that particular joy of childhood, go ahead! We won’t judge).
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
As you look at electric scooters, here are 10 things to keep in mind.
- Range. How far do you need to go? Most electric scooters can travel 10-20 miles before needing to recharge, though some can go further. Make sure that your scooter can take you where you need to go and back.
- Speed. Some electric mobility scooters are specifically designed to go slowly, for safety reasons. Other electric scooters and electric bikes can go 20 mph and up. Make sure you get a scooter that takes you where you want to go at the speed you want to get there.
- Torque. Torque is what allows you to climb hills on your electric scooter. If you will be using the scooter in a hilly area, make sure you have enough torque to conquer your elevation gain.
- Weight limit. Electric scooters have a range of weight limits, but watch out when looking at inexpensive scooters for adults; some are repurposed kid scooters with a weight limit of less than 120 pounds. Make sure your electric scooter is designed to support your weight, otherwise it can bend or break.
- Battery. How long does the battery take to charge? How long does the battery last? Is it a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, or will you need to purchase a new fuel-type battery regularly? Make sure you know what you’re looking for, so you don’t end up with hidden costs or a battery that takes too long to charge. Also, though they’re pretty rare, make sure that it isn’t a gas scooter, since that would defeat all your going-green intentions!
- Brakes. Stopping quickly is important with any moving vehicle. Electric scooters come with a variety of disk and drum breaks operated either with a hand or with a foot. Make sure that the scooter has good breaks that are easy to use. If you can, get a scooter with a brake on the rear wheel, since rear-wheel brakes are safer when stopping quickly.
- Parking. Some electric scooters have kickstands, while others can fold into the size of a briefcase. Make sure you have a plan to park your scooter, including a lock if necessary.
- Extra features. Do you need a basket to haul things? Do you like to sit or prefer to stand? Does the scooter have cruise control? Are you able to get parts and support if something breaks, or are extra parts and tools included at the time of purchase? There are hundreds of electric scooter styles and types; take the time to find the one that is best for you!
- Rules. Before purchasing your electric scooter, check the regulations regarding electric scooters in your area. Can you drive a scooter on the sidewalks near where you live and work? Do you need to have insurance on your scooter? Are the shoulders on your road wide enough for you to drive your scooter alongside the road. Know the restrictions and rules for electric scooters in the areas in which you will be driving.
- Helmet. Whatever electric scooter you buy, make sure you get a helmet! While electric scooters aren’t nearly as dangerous as motorcycles, your head is still exposed. Protect that noggin!
If you’re interested in more technical details of scooter power, performance, and drive ratios, check out this article from ScooterSupport.com
READY TO GET STARTED?
Check out these affordable options!
- Razor EcoSmart Metro Electric Scooter
- Price: $374.00
- Max Range: 12 miles
- Max Speed: 18mph
- Wattage: 500W
- Weight Limit: 220 pounds
- Battery Type: Rechargeable
- Brake Type: Hand Operated Rear Brake
- Parking Options: Kickstand included
- Get it from: amazon.com
- UberScoot 500w Electric Scooter
- Price: $385.00
- Max Range: 14 miles
- Max Speed: 20mph
- Wattage: 500W
- Weight Limit: 265 pounds
- Battery Type: Rechargeable
- Brake Type: Front and rear disc brakes
- Parking Options: Kickstand included and foldable
- Get it from: www.walmart.com
- X-treme City Rider Electric Scooter
- Price: $499.00
- Max Range: 20 miles
- Max Speed: 20mph
- Wattage: 500W
- Weight Limit: 300 pounds
- Battery Type: Rechargeable
- Brake Type: Front Disc Brake / Rear Drum Brake
- Parking Options: Kickstand included and foldable
- Get it from: www.x-tremescooters.com
- Super Turbo 1000watt Elite
- Price: $499.00
- Max Range: 18 miles
- Max Speed: 26mph
- Wattage: 1000W
- Weight Limit: 250 pounds
- Battery Type: Rechargeable
- Brake Type: Front and Rear Disc Brakes
- Parking Options: Kickstand included and foldable
- Get it from: amazon.com
- Razor RSF650 Street Bike – $579.00
- Price: $579.00
- Max Range: 14 miles
- Max Speed: 17mph
- Wattage: 650W
- Weight Limit: 220 pounds
- Battery Type: Rechargeable
- Brake Type: Hand-operated dual disc brakes
- Parking Options: Kickstand included
- Get it from: amazon.com
- Aosom120W Kids Folding Electric Scooter with Seat
- Price: $89.99
- Max Range: 9.3 miles
- Max Speed: 7.5mph
- Wattage: 500W
- Weight Limit: 154 pounds
- Battery Type: Rechargeable
- Brake Type: Double Hand Break
- Parking Options: Kickstand included and foldable
- Get it from: aosom.com
- Razor E200S Kids Seated Electric Scooter
- Price: $132.00
- Max Range: 8 miles
- Max Speed: 12mph
- Wattage: 500W
- Weight Limit: 154 pounds
- Battery Type: Rechargeable
- Brake Type: Hand Operated Front Brake
- Parking Options: Kickstand included
- Get it from: amazon.com
BUT WHICH SCOOTER IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Each electric scooter has its own benefits, depending on your needs. In general, the X-treme City Rider and Super Turbo 1000-Elite provide the best value for their price. If you’re looking for something cheaper though (or something for the kids) you might check out the Razor EcoSmart Metro or the Aosom 120W Kids. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something more heavy-duty, spend some time on the Super Turbo 1000-Elite, with double the wattage of most electric scooters and much higher torque.
Take a look below at how each of our recommendations performs compared to the others, and decide for yourself which traits are most important to you.
Looking for more options? Check out Business Insider’s guide to some fancier (and more expensive) options, or The Electric Rider’s honest evaluation of 10+ of the top electric scooters available.
Still not sure? Try a scooter rental in your area to check it out! Electric scooters and mopeds can be rented in most major cities, and it never hurts to try before you buy.
LET THE SEARCH BEGIN!
It’s time to give some serious thought to the role of electric scooters in our modern lives. In a world of finite resources, electric scooters offer a clear path to effectively cutting down on carbon emissions and lowering your impact on the environment. They are also more efficient than cars during rush hour in large cities, allowing you to bypass traffic and shave time off your morning commute, and are far more affordable than many other environmentally-conscious options. Electric scooters now come in a variety of styles with numerous features to suit your unique transportation needs, from high torque for hills to more powerful batteries for longer commutes. Make sure you know your individual needs and your areas laws and restrictions regarding electric scooters as you look for your own scooter, then head to the rental shops to take a few electric scooters for a spin. Check out the Razor EcoSmart Metro or UberScoot 500W for a low price and relatively good performance, the X-treme City Rider as an inexpensive option for slightly longer commutes, or the Super Turbo 1000-Elite to affordably climb up those hills with ease. For the kids, both the Aosom 120W Kids and the Razor E200S offer low-cost options for getting to school on time and in style. If you’re looking for some style and flair beyond an electric kick scooter, take a look at the slightly more expensive RSF650 Street Bike, with its sleek motorcycle-style body and high wattage. Whatever your short-commute needs, there’s an electric scooter that will get the job done. Get to work or school on time and in style and drastically reduce your carbon footprint, all for under $600. It doesn’t get much better than that!
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