Your ultimate buying guide to electric scooters.
From weekday commutes to weekend adventures, electric scooters make getting around simple and fun. Not sure which one fits you best? This comprehensive buying guide shows you what to look for, and what you need to know, before you hit the road.
At a glance
Looking for an electric scooter? This guide covers everything you need to know: the benefits and advantages; key specs including torque, weight, range, and water resistance; the latest tech upgrades; plus safety tips and riding regulations. Get practical advice to match a scooter to your lifestyle and find the perfect ride.
Electric scooter use is on the rise, and it’s not hard to see why. They’re a fast, affordable, convenient, and easy way to get around.
Whether it’s riding to work, catching up with friends in the park or at the beach, or simply a trip to the shops for a loaf of bread, the feeling of zipping about on an electric scooter can’t be beaten.
Here’s what you need to know to get from point A to B on an electric scooter
What are the benefits of electric scooters?
Electric scooters have become more prevalent around Australia in recent years, and if you’ve used a public scooter to move between venues on a busy night, or just enjoyed a scenic trip, you know how fun and convenient they can be. But the reasons to use an electric scooter run deeper than that – here are some of the benefits.
- Electric scooters can reduce your reliance on a car. Electricity is both cheaper and better for the environment than petrol, and the less you need to drive, the more money you’ll be able to save in the long run.
- While you might not want to use an electric scooter for long-distance travel, they can be ideal for picking things up from the shops, visiting nearby friends, taking a trip to the local café, or making your morning commute easier.
- It’s not just petrol you’ll save money on. Maintenance for an electric scooter is much cheaper than a car. Depending on where you live and your lifestyle, you may even be able to hold off on buying a car entirely if a scooter is sufficient for your transport needs.
- There’s no lofty registration or insurance costs required to get on the road. Once you’ve outlaid the purchase cost, aside from maintenance, you’re good to go.
- Electric scooters add convenience to the daily commute. Lightweight and designed to easily fold down, they can be carried and stowed on a train or a bus.
- When you arrive at your destination, you don’t necessarily need to worry about parking. Simply fold up the scooter and take it into your workplace with you, or lock it up the same way you would a bike. Thrifty riders will even use the office electricity supply to charge up for the ride home.
- While electric scooters don’t have the same health benefits as a bike ride or a long walk, they can still deliver wellbeing perks. Riding a scooter may not require much physical exertion, but they get you out and about in the sunshine and fresh air, which is always a good thing. And those core muscles get a bit of a workout.
- You don’t need a garage or a carport to park your scooter, and it doesn’t matter if you live on the seventh floor of a building, either. Once folded, an electric scooter will fit just about anywhere in a house or apartment. And you can avoid costly car parking fees if you work – or play – in the city.
Electric scooters offer all of the above, but it’s easy to forget that riding them is a lot of fun. Gliding along evokes a real nostalgic spirit, and you’ll probably find yourself heading out simply for the thrill of the ride.
Are they easy to use?
Yes! Electric scooters are designed to be user-friendly and easy to operate. It’s like riding a bike – once you get used to situating your centre of gravity and get past the initial nerves that can come from operating a new vehicle, it’s very straightforward.
Put on your helmet, climb on your electric scooter, and push off with one foot. Once you’re moving, you use the throttle to activate the motor, and the scooter will start to propel itself forward. You can speed up with the throttle or slow down with the brake, and it works best if you position your weight evenly and bend your knees slightly. That’s all there is to it!
What are the latest advancements in electric scooters?
Electric scooters continue to advance and improve over time, and the latest electric scooters have many improvements over older models. Here are some features you can expect to find on them…
- Electric scooters with LED dashboard displays have benefited from tech improvements, and generally support bigger, better screens than older models. This makes it easier to check your speed, battery level, and other info while you’re on the move.
- Improved technology allows for better suspension in newer models, and self-balancing tech means that many modern electric scooters run smoother than ever before, navigating uneven sidewalks and other surfaces without issues.
- Some new electric scooters feature disc brakes. The benefit of these brakes is that they can apply more force for faster, smoother braking, and they’re better at dissipating heat with their improved ventilation, which is good for the long-term health of your scooter.
- Improvements in battery technology mean that modern scooters can, on average, go further on a single charge. Some models also have swappable batteries, which means you can carry a spare and swap it out if there’s no opportunity to charge between rides.
- Improved technology allows for better suspension in newer models, and self-balancing tech means that many modern electric scooters run smoother than ever before, navigating uneven sidewalks and other surfaces without issues.
- Some new electric scooters feature disc brakes. The benefit of these brakes is that they can apply more force for faster, smoother braking, and they’re better at dissipating heat with their improved ventilation, which is good for the long-term health of your scooter.
- Improvements in battery technology mean that modern scooters can, on average, go further on a single charge. Some models also have swappable batteries, which means you can carry a spare and swap it out if there’s no opportunity to charge between rides.
- It’s common for scooters to include integrated lights, so you don’t need to own or carry around a light attachment if you think you’ll be riding home after dark. These can extend to front and rear lamps, braking lights and even indicators on the ends of the handlebars.
- Modern electric scooters can be much lighter than older models. The use of high-performance, lightweight materials (like titanium) can keep the total weight of newer scooters down, so they’re easier to carry about.
- Many electric scooters now have smart features, letting you track how you use them with an app. You can get data on your distance travelled, battery used, and more by syncing up with your phone!
Ready to ride? Follow these handy buying tips
- You’ve probably noticed an abundance of electric scooters on the market. You’ve also probably seen some of the spontaneous combustion horror stories on TikTok, too. Our advice is look for a brand with a safe track record and a good reputation.
- Think about the conditions where you’re going to use the electric scooter. Will you be riding predominantly on hard road surfaces? If so, an electric scooter with solid wheels will suit. Are you going off-road occasionally? Then, for a comfortable ride, pneumatic tyres and a good suspension would be a better fit.
- Protection from water is essential, too. This will vary from brand to brand, but most good scooters can handle a rain shower. However, avoid riding in torrential rain or through deep puddles – electrical components and water are not friends. If you must leave your scooter in the garden or on a balcony, ensure it’s well covered.
- As mentioned, weight is also a consideration for train and bus travel. And you don’t want to carry a heavier model up six flights of stairs. Choose your weight wisely.
- Torque is another significant factor. In layperson’s terms, torque is the scooter’s oomph. It’s the difference between conquering hills from a gentle start or getting off it to push. If you live in a hilly suburb, the bigger the torque number, the better suited your scooter will be for the conditions.
- For obvious reasons, range plays a part in the buying decision-making process – especially if long-distance travel forms part of your daily commute. All scooters will come with a generous manufacturer’s range projection, but this doesn’t account for hilly terrain or off-road conditions; both will affect how far you’ll get out of a single battery charge.
- Electric scooters also have rider weight limits, so that’s worth checking out before you buy.
- Protection from water is essential, too. This will vary from brand to brand, but most good scooters can handle a rain shower. However, avoid riding in torrential rain or through deep puddles – electrical components and water are not friends. If you must leave your scooter in the garden or on a balcony, ensure it’s well covered.
- As mentioned, weight is also a consideration for train and bus travel. And you don’t want to carry a heavier model up six flights of stairs. Choose your weight wisely.
- Torque is another significant factor. In layperson’s terms, torque is the scooter’s oomph. It’s the difference between conquering hills from a gentle start or getting off it to push. If you live in a hilly suburb, the bigger the torque number, the better suited your scooter will be for the conditions.
- For obvious reasons, range plays a part in the buying decision-making process – especially if long-distance travel forms part of your daily commute. All scooters will come with a generous manufacturer’s range projection, but this doesn’t account for hilly terrain or off-road conditions; both will affect how far you’ll get out of a single battery charge.
- Electric scooters also have rider weight limits, so that’s worth checking out before you buy.
- shower, should you get caught under a grey cloud, if you try and negotiate your way through a deep puddle it’s only going to end one way – and that involves stopping; permanently. If it starts to tip down en route to your destination, head for cover.
- It’s also important to be aware that overcharging an electric scooter, or storing your scooter incorrectly, carries risks due to the lithium-ion battery. It’s important that the area you charge your scooter in is an uncluttered space with a hard surface – if you have a garage, that’s ideal.
- If your battery is swelling or cracking, or your scooter is leaking or emitting a strange chemical smell, the scooter is not safe to use, the battery must be replaced immediately, and it’s best to consult a professional.
- Do not leave your scooter in a place that’s subject to excessive temperature modulation – extreme heat or cold can impact the battery. If anything about your battery feels ”off” in any way, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
