E-scooters have been around for a long time. It first became available to consumers to buy in 1996 by Peugeot. But it is only in recent years that the sales of these motorized scooters have skyrocketed. This is influenced by a number of factors, high on that list is that people are always looking for more practical ways to get around, or we are just seeking that extra excitement in our daily life.
However, deciding if you personally should buy an electric scooter is not always easy. Like most devices, they do come with both advantages and disadvantages.
Pros of owning an e-scooter
There is a reason why this type of riding style has become increasingly popular, and here you will find out why.
Convenience
Convenience is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of e-scooters. They are just really practical to use - lightweight, small size and easy to park anywhere. Most of them will come with a folding system making it easy and effortless to fold and store anywhere, bring into the office or carry on public transportation.
Getting stuck in traffic jams when commuting to and from work is also high on the list for why someone would go for one of these personal transportation tools. It makes it immensely easy and quick for you to swoop through traffic congestions, and an added bonus is that it makes everyday commuting that much more fun.
In addition, you do not need a license!
Easy to handle
Due to its small size, smooth handling and immediate acceleration capabilities an electric scooter is easy to maneuver. Driving in the city, in between people, or around sharp corners is not a problem for these vehicles.
Environmentally friendly
The emission footprint humans produce everyday is enormous. However, a simple way for you to help better the air quality is by traveling emission-free. As e-scooters have an integrated rechargeable battery, it does need petrol to function and therefore does not release any greenhouse gas emissions. Even if you consider manufacturing, maintenance and transport of the vehicle to and from the retail store, it is still a significantly lower amount of emission than other vehicles.
According to the Industry Research newspaper TNMT, cars have close to 7 times more carbon output when compared to electric scooters. Which is why so many have swapped out their car for other eco-friendly transportation.
Low operational cost
If the device is used with care and properly, the electric vehicle does not need frequent and costly maintenance done to it, and you will save money on not having to pay for petrol. How great is that!
Fun, fun fun!
These electric toys come in different models, sizes and capabilities. Whatever fun you are looking for there is an e-scooter out there to fit your type of adventure. Whether that be fast and powerful motor capabilities, off-road riding, thrilling one wheel unicycle experience or convenient carry-on/storage abilities - there is a scooter for you!
Cons of owning an e-scooter
As with most vehicles there are some disadvantages associated with electric scooters.
Purchase price
The price for a motorised scooter might be considered dear by some people. A top notch quality escooter cost between $1,200 to $5,000, these normally comes with added features such as off-road capabilities, IP rating of IP56 or longer distance range. However, you can buy a high quality scooter containing everything you need for daily commuting, and urban cruising for $799 and upwards.
The e-scooters are considered cheaper when compared to other personal transportation vehicles such as cars, motorcycles and electric bicycles. Remember these devices do not need any refill of petrol or high maintenance - making it cost efficient in the long run.
Accidents
There are some safety concerns regarding driving e-scooters. Mixing commuter scooter with other fast driving road vehicles can be dangerous, and most injuries have occured due to impact with motor vehicles. To make your riding experience safer, it is highly recommended to use proper protective gear, don’t go over the speed limit of up to 25km/h and stay in the riding lane when driving it.
However, individual crashes are rare and often random. There is also the problem of helmet wearing when riding. Wear your helmet as it has scientifically been proven to help reduce risk of serious head injuries by 69% and also reduce risk of fatality.
Decrease fitness
Compared to bicycles and e-bikes, where you still have to pedal to move forward, e-scooters are effortless and non-straining. It gets you where you need to go by pressing the acceleration button, meaning you can no longer consider riding to and from work an exercise.
No storage space
Escooters come with no storage space, or just a small sized box capable of fitting your essentials. It will be located on the stem or at the back of the vehicle.
Battery
It does take some time and planning when charging your battery. It can take between 4 to 9 hours to reach a full battery level. If you plan it correctly and charge it overnight, this is not a big problem for most. Avoiding using the top speed and using in eco mode would also help optimizing your battery.
Might not fit everyone
We are all created with different sizes and shapes, and escooter might not fit as a transportation device for everyone. The motorised scooters come with a max loading limit which ranges between 90 kg to 150kg. Meaning people above this scale might not be able to use the device. If you are a very tall person or short, the device might not be the best option for you either, as it will be uncomfortable operating.
Limited terrain and condition riding
Electric scooters come with an IP rating that tell us what conditions they are capable of riding in. Most electric scooters are not recommended for riding in the rain, as it will damage the electronics and can be dangerous on slippery grounds. However, there are some models that are water resistant and capable of riding on rougher, off-road terrains. It is important to make sure you look through the vehicle's manual and capabilities before driving!
There is no doubt that electric scooters are considered thrilling and convenient to own. As there are now multiple models and features available in the market, choosing the right one might be difficult. Check out our ultimate “Electric Scooter Buying Guide 2021” for further help when picking the best electric scooter for your riding style.
Have a look into our electric scooters range and find the best one for your needs. At Crooze you get free shipping on orders over $99 and flexible payments with Afterpay, ZipPay and Humm.