Before buying an electric scooter, most people will have a lot of questions. I sure did.
While researching, choosing, buying, owning, and maintaining an electric scooter, I’ve had dozens and dozens of questions pop into my mind. Most of them I researched and answered.
Here are the most common questions that I and a lot of other owners have had about electric scooters.
Are electric scooters safe?
Electric scooters are reasonably safe, or at least as safe as the rider tries to be.
As long as you follow these important safety tips, you will be perfectly safe:
- respect your local traffic laws
- wear all the safety gear you have
- check your scooter before your ride
- avoid riding in bad weather
- avoid pedestrian areas and heavy traffic
- ride as the manual instructs
If you want to learn everything there is about staying safe on an electric scooter, make sure to go through our complete safety guide.
Are electric scooters legal?
In most places, scooters are either street-legal or unregulated.
Only a few places in the world completely prohibit them on public roads, most notably London, UK. They will typically have a speed limit, usually 15 mph / 25 kmh.
Also, places that have special laws for electric scooters will sometimes have a minimum age requirement for riding them. Most of the time, wearing a helmet while riding is required.
Are electric scooters easy to ride?
Electric scooters are very easy to ride. Learning how to ride them only takes a few minutes.
How do electric scooters work?
Every electric scooter will have the following components:
- throttle button
- battery
- motor
When you hit the throttle, the motor draws power from the battery and starts turning the wheels.
To learn more about how electric scooters work, check out our full guide on that topic here.
Also, if you want to gain a deeper understanding of all the performance aspects of an electric scooter, check out our performance guide for electric scooters.
How to use an electric scooter?
Using an electric scooter is straightforward:
- Wear safety gear
- Ensure the scooter has a charged battery
- Power it on in the slowest mode
- Place one foot on the deck
- Kick-start if required
- Press the throttle button to move
- Lean forward to accelerate or climb
- Steer using the handlebar
- Brake to stop
To learn more about how to use your electric scooter, check out the guide on that topic.
Are electric scooters reliable?
Electric scooters produced in the last 5 years will be very reliable.
Most modern models will have great ranges and last for years.
To learn about the most reliable electric scooters today, check out our list of the most reliable models.
When was the first electric scooter invented?
Depending on how we define an electric scooter, an argument can be made that electric scooter history spans all the way to the first propelled vehicles almost 150 years ago.
The modern electric scooters as we know them today were reintroduced in the late 1990s / early 2000s and started becoming widely popular around 2016.
What are the most common electric scooter problems?
The most commonly reported defects and problems in electric scooters are problems related to the electronics of the scooter, including the wirings, the motor, and the controllers, and they are the most common reason for dead-on-arrival situations as well.
Also, battery issues are very common as well, ranging from the battery delivering much less than the promised performance, to the battery not working at all.
Are electric scooters good for commuting?
Electric scooters are excellent for commuting. They are fast, efficient, and great for avoiding traffic jams.
Compared to other means of transport, they will usually be the better option, especially in big cities. Naturally, there will be some scenarios they don’t fit. To learn more about their commuting capabilities, check out our commuting guide for scooters here.
Are electric scooters good for last-mile transport?
Electric scooters are the best possible solution for the last-mile problem today.
Their portability, low weight, and low space occupancy make them perfect for being both ridden through busy urban environments, and taken along in public transport systems like trains, and buses.
Are electric scooters environmentally friendly?
Electric scooters are very good for the environment. They don’t cause greenhouse gas emissions, and they also help reduce traffic jams. Much of their building material, including their batteries, can be recycled and reused.
Learn more here.
Can you ride electric scooters at night?
Electric scooters can easily be ridden at night. They come with both headlights and taillights and even additional lights on the bottom of the deck.
The empty streets are simply a blast to glide through. If you want to learn more about riding at night, see my electric scooter night riding guide or my guide on electric scooter lights.
Can electric scooters be used manually?
It is possible to use electric scooters manually, but it’s usually inefficient and difficult. Most electric scooters were not built for that purpose. The main problem is that the deck is too high off the ground, and the rider is unable to kick with sufficient force.
Still, if you want to ride your electric scooter like a regular kick scooter, you absolutely can. Learn more about the details here.
Is an electric scooter worth it?
For most people, electric scooters are worth it. They will be both a great investment and a source of fun.
Still, they will not be worth it for everyone. There are some cases where electric scooters would not be a good solution. If you’re curious to find out whether that’s the case for you, check out my guide on are electric scooters worth it.
Will an electric scooter save you money?
Electric scooters save their owners a lot of money. Charging them costs only a few cents per full charge. They don’t require additional expenses, and rarely break down or need expensive maintenance. Most electric scooters pay themselves off in the first year of ownership.
Check the car commute cost calculator to see exactly how much money your electric scooter can save you.
How much do electric scooters cost?
Electric scooter prices can range from anywhere between $149 and $7400. On average, electric scooters cost around $1200, while the average budget scooter will cost around $310.
To learn everything there is to know about electric scooter prices, price ranges, and categories, check out our comprehensive guide here.
How much does it cost to rent an electric scooter?
In the US and Canada, the most popular scooter rental programs like Lime and Bird charge $1 for unlocking the scooter and starting the ride, and then $0.15 for every minute of riding.
How to buy a used electric scooter?
There are several key points to keep in mind when buying a used electric scooter:
When purchasing a used electric scooter, consider these steps:
- Calculate a Fair Price by factoring in depreciation.
- Define your specific scooter needs.
- Request photos and ask detailed questions.
- Test ride and inspect the scooter.
- Keep transaction records.
- Negotiate a potential return period.
- Prefer buying from a trusted source.
If possible, buy from a person you know and trust, and consider using the EScooterNerds scooter marketplace to find sellers.
How much does a good electric scooter cost?
Good electric scooters will cost between $550 and $1500.
On average, a good electric scooter costs $1030. These scooters will have a solid range, medium-powerful motor, quality build, and design, come from a reputable brand, and have good ratings online.
How much does it cost to charge an electric scooter?
In the USA, the average cost of charging the average scooter from empty to full is $0.03. In the EU, the cost would be $0.04 on average. In the rest of the world, the price is even lower.
To find out exactly how much it would cost you to charge your exact model in your country specifically, check out our charging cost guide here.
Also, take a look at the electric scooter charge cost calculator if you can’t find the information for a particular model.
How long does it take to charge an electric scooter?
On average, electric scooters take 5.5 hours to charge. Most regular commuting scooters will take between 3 and 8 hours to fully charge. Powerful off-road scooters can take up to a full day to charge.
This will largely depend on your model, the charger and charging mode you use, and the country you live in. To learn more about it, go through our electric scooter charging time guide.
If you can’t find the charging time for a specific scooter, take a look at the electric scooter charge time calculator.
How often should you charge an electric scooter?
You should never let your electric scooter’s battery get empty. Plugging in your charger when your battery is at 30% is ideal. If you use your scooter daily, charge it every day.
Should you buy or rent an electric scooter?
Renting an electric scooter makes more sense when you travel or want to test out a specific model. For any other use case, owning an electric scooter is both more cost-efficient and more convenient.
Your scooter will always be safer and in better shape than a rented one.
When and why should you buy an electric scooter?
The following are very good reasons and scenarios for getting an electric scooter:
- you want to save money
- you want to save time
- you don’t like being stuck in traffic
- you want to save energy
- you want a very fun hobby
- you need a convenient transport mode
- you care about the environment
To understand all of these reasons in depth, and learn about other potential great reasons, check out our guide here.
How do electric scooters compare to other electric rideables?
Electric scooters are a more mature, more efficient technology than other electric rideables. They fit more use cases and are usually a better commuting option.
The only other electric rideable that can be considered a serious transport option is electric bikes. Compared head-to-head, they are pretty similar to electric scooters in many scenarios. But electric scooters are slightly better.
If you’re interested in the comparison, check it out here.
How do electric scooters compare to bicycles?
While traditional bicycles are a great mode of transport, they have several disadvantages when compared to electric scooters.
The biggest advantage that electric scooters have against bicycles, is that electric scooters don’t require the rider’s energy to move. That makes them a more efficient transport mode.
The learn about the pros and cons of bikes vs electric scooters, head over to our comparison article here.
What are the best brands and manufacturers of electric scooters?
The most trusted, reputable brands and manufacturers of electric scooters are:
- Dualtron
- EMove
- EVOLV
- Fluid Free Ride
- GoTrax
- HiBoy
- Inokim
- Kaabo
- Kugoo
- Ninebot/Segway
- Razor
- Speedway
- Swagtron
- Unagi
- UScooters
- Xiaomi
To learn more about each, check out the guide to electric scooter brands.
Should you ride electric scooters in the rain?
It is not recommended to ride electric scooters in the rain or any other type of wet environment. No matter how water-resistant your scooter is, avoid riding in the rain and through bodies of water.
That said, most scooters will not be damaged by light contact with water.
Should you ride electric scooters in the winter?
Electric scooters are best not ridden in winter.
The snow, ice, puddles of water, mud, and slippery surfaces can make the rides unsafe and damaging to you and your scooter.
Should you ride electric scooters in the summer?
Riding an electric scooter in the summer is one of the best use cases for most electric scooters but it’s important to stay hydrated, wear protective gear, and be mindful of high temperatures that may affect scooter performance.
Are electric scooters waterproof?
About half the electric scooter models today come with some IP rating, which means they are certified for at least some level of water resistance. The scooters without an IP rating are probably very sensitive to water. Most models today are only water-resistant, but only a few are truly waterproof.
Check out our guide for waterproof electric scooters.
How to waterproof your electric scooter?
The following tips can make your electric scooter more waterproof:
- get a waterproof cover
- tape the gaps in the deck
- carry some duct tape and cover the charging port
- use o-rings around non-sealed screws and holes
- use silicone
- extend the mudguards
To learn how exactly to do these, and some other more advanced waterproofing techniques, check out our full guide here.
Can you bring an electric scooter on a plane?
Many airlines strictly prohibit electric scooters on board. Some only allow ones with batteries smaller than 160 Watt-hours.
Of course, the specific answer will depend on your scooter model, your airline, the places of departure and arrival, and your ticket type.
To see if you can take your scooter with a specific airline, check out our detailed guide about electric scooters in airplanes here.
How fast can electric scooters go?
Most electric scooters today can reach speeds of 15 mph / 25 kmh. The average speed of an adult electric scooter is 25 mph / 40 kmh. In most countries, the speed limit for electric scooters is 15 mph / 25 kmh.
Even many budget models today can go pretty fast. To learn exactly how fast electric scooters can go, check out this article.
What is the fastest electric scooter in the world today?
The fastest electric scooter in the world right now is Rion2 RE90, capable of reaching speeds of 100 mph / 160 kmh.
Can you make an electric scooter faster?
While not recommended in most cases, making an electric scooter faster is possible.
How to make an electric scooter faster?
These are all the tips you can consider to make your electric scooter faster:
- make sure your scooter is in the fastest mode
- make sure your scooter is fully unlocked
- charge your scooter fully
- turn off the lights and other things that drain the battery
- reduce the load
- add an extra battery
- get a new battery
- remove speed limits by hacking the firmware
- try a stronger battery
- if the controller is the limiting factor, upgrade it
- change the sprockets if your scooter has them
- rewind the motor
To get more in-depth with these tips and find out exactly how to do them, read our full guide here.
Can you increase the range of your electric scooter?
It is possible to increase the range of your electric scooter.
How to increase the range of your electric scooter?
To increase the maximum range on a single charge of your electric scooter, try the following methods:
- use the power-saving mode
- turn off any unnecessary electronics, such as lights during the daytime
- reduce the weight the scooter carries
- reduce the weight of the scooter itself
- upgrade the battery
- get an extra battery
- rewind the motor (advanced)
To learn exactly how to apply these techniques, and some other more advanced ones, check out the full guide on increasing the range of your electric scooter.
Even better, if you need to cover a lot of mileage, I recommend simply getting a long-range scooter from the get-go and avoid all the hassle of increasing the range altogether.
What is the electric scooter with the longest range today?
The electric scooter with the longest range today is the Dualtron X2. It has a range of 93 mi / 150 km on a single charge.
Can electric scooters go up hills?
Most electric scooters can climb most moderate hills. The more powerful scooters will be able to climb very steep hills, while many budget scooters will struggle with even the mildest hills.
To see what scooters are the best for climbing hills, check out the guide to the best climbing scooters.
Can heavier adults use electric scooters?
There are many electric scooters suitable for heavy adults. Most electric scooters for adults have weight capacities of at least 265 lbs / 120 kg. There are many models with weight capacities over 330 lbs / 150 kg.
Still, for people on the heavier side, it’s always best to get a scooter with as much weight capacity as possible. Check out the guide for scooters for heavy adults if you want to learn more.
Can kids use electric scooters?
As long as the age of the rider fits the age requirement for electric scooters in a specific country, a child can ride an electric scooter. Scooters for children are smaller in size and power and have specific handlebar heights for different ages.
How to store your electric scooter?
Follow these tips to store your electric scooter properly:
- store it in a dry, dark room, at room temperature
- charge the battery at least to 60%
- recharge your battery at least once a month, and never let it fully discharge
- make sure your scooter is clean before you store it
- make sure it’s turned off, folded, and properly locked
- if you keep the original package and protective covers, store it in them, otherwise store it in a fitting waterproof cover
To learn exactly how to apply these tips, and see a few more, check out the full guide for storing your electric scooter.
What are the disadvantages of electric scooters?
Generally, these are the main electric scooter disadvantages:
- Batteries wear out as they get older and may require replacement
- Possible breakdowns and short lifespan for some budget models
- Range may not be as advertised
- Handlebar height is not adjustable for many scooters
- Some places don’t allow electric scooters on the street
- Many places limit the top speed for electric scooters to very low-speed limits
- Some places have age restrictions for electric scooters
- Electric scooters are (mostly) not allowed on airplanes
- Electric scooters shouldn’t be used in the rain or the winter
- Good scooters are affordable but still not trivially cheap, most good scooters cost at least $500
- Many electric scooters will struggle on steeper hills
- Accidents are always a possibility, and there are some small health risks associated with frequent scooter use
- Repairs can be hard
