How to Choose the Perfect Electric Scooter
If you're planning on buying an electric scooter, you might feel confused by the choices out there. You want to be sure that the vehicle you buy has all the features you need, but with so many models to choose from, how can you be sure? The following are some important factors to consider when purchasing an electric scooter:
The Style
This should be the easy part. Do you want a stand-up model or something closer to a motorcycle? Maybe you'd prefer an electric bicycle. If you're thinking of a limited mobility scooter, be sure to investigate Medicare's wheelchair and scooter benefit options..
The Scooter's Maximum Speed
By design, every electric scooter will possess a top speed beyond which it will not accelerate. When purchasing a scooter for a child or an adult who has never ridden before, you'd probably like to keep it down to 10 miles per hour or less. This may seem like a pretty slow pace, but 10 mph on a motor scooter feels a lot faster than it sounds. Older children and those with more experience might easily handle scooters with maximum speeds of 15 or 20 miles an hour.
Maximum Weight Specification
A scooter's recommended maximum weight is a guideline for peak performance. Although exceeding it will not necessarily cause the scooter to break down, it will shorten its life and put excessive demands on its battery. Any electric motor scooter will run more efficiently if its rider's weight remains below the maximum specification.
Throttle Start
Once the power is on, a scooter with a throttle start will accelerate from a standstill with a simple twist of the throttle. On models that lack this feature, the engine will not turn over until the scooter has reached a speed of about three mph.
Tires
All else being equal, the performance of an electric motor scooter will depend in large part on the composition of its tires. Many of the smaller models come equipped with the plastic or polyurethane variety. These materials are less expensive than rubber, and the tires will wear out more quickly.
Battery Range
When it comes to electric motor scooters, the battery range is critical. Nobody wants to run out of juice halfway through a trip. Under optimal conditions, most electric scooters will travel about 8 miles on a single charge. Hilly terrain, extreme weather and excessive loads will shorten this range by as much as 20 percent. Those who wish to travel longer distances might benefit from the purchase of a lithium-ion battery.
Portability
For people who need to transport an electric motor scooter for any distance, portability becomes a consideration. A heavy model probably won't fill the bill, but a lightweight folding scooter will be easy to carry up the stairs or stow in the trunk of a car.
