Five years ago, electric scooters were a rare sight. Not many people had them, and the ones that were rolling around town weren’t exactly jammed with features or technology. While there were a few brands available, nothing really excelled in any particular way, so your choice effectively came down to logo and colour. Aside from a few outliers, the technology was still relatively new, so no e-scooters really stood out.
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Today’s e-scooter market is unrecognisable compared to five years ago. Globally, over 100 brands vie to be the best, and more brands are joining the fray every year. We’re spoilt for choice between products that do the bare minimum, all-rounders that don’t excel in any one category, and rocket rides that’ll have you keeping up with traffic. With such diversity in products and performance, it can be really difficult to know where to start looking if you’re interested in buying an electric scooter.
To help you out, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide of what you need to consider before you buy.
Contents:
Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before Buying an Electric Scooter?
If you’re new to buying e-scooters, or you’re looking for an upgrade, you should still do your research before committing to your next purchase. E-scooters can fall into multiple categories and not every scooter can accomplish every task. To get you started, here’s our list of questions you should ask yourself before you buy an electric scooter.
Why are you buying an electric scooter?
Why am I doing this? Why do I really want this?
Questions along these lines are important to ask yourself before you buy anything in life. The reasons behind your purchases are important, and you’ll often find your mind trying to convince yourself that what your heart wants is a logical decision.
Do you want to cut down your commute? Maybe you just want to have some fun. Perhaps you’re looking for a new way of getting thrills? Or do you just want an electric scooter, and that’s as far as your reasons go?
Not understanding your reasons for purchasing an e-scooter can lead you to end up with an unsuitable ride, and buying the wrong scooter for the wrong job can lead to some unpleasant rides, complications, or worse. Understanding why you want an e-scooter in the first place has a huge impact on the products on which you should focus your attention.
Take a minute to really think about why you want an e-scooter and you’ll be able to cut down your list to a handful of great options.
Who are you buying the e-scooter for?
For most, an e-scooter is something you buy for yourself, and as such, the considerations you should make relate to your own circumstances. If you’re buying the scooter for someone else, however, you should take other things into account. You’ll find more information on this further down this guide: Buying for Someone Else? Here’s What You Should Consider.
How much do you weigh?
We’re not just being nosey—this is actually a really important question to ask. All electric rides come with a limit on how much weight they can safely & effectively carry. Ignoring weight limits can cause problems a-plenty, from burnt out motors, and dead batteries to reduced braking and damaged suspension.
A lot of these issues aren’t covered under warranty if they are caused by pushing an e-scooter beyond its limits, so to avoid being caught out, you should generally aim to buy a scooter that can support your weight + 10% extra. So, if you weigh 90kg, you should aim for an e-scooter that can support 99 kg of weight.
Also consider if you’ll be wearing heavy clothing, carrying any backpacks, or fitting your ride with accessories. These all add to the overall weight put on the ride, and can often push it beyond its safe carry limit.
The average e-scooter tends to have a weight limit of around 100 kg, but the number of rides that can support more than that is gradually increasing. We actually wrote a separate guide on which e-scooters are best for riders over 100kg, which you’ll find here.
Here are some quick recommendations on e-scooters that can handle more than 100 kg.
Level
Entry-Level
Mid-Range
Top of the Line
Model
Pure Air³
Apollo Ghost
Segway GT2
Photo
Carry Weight
120 kg
130 kg
150 kg
Price
$1,199
$2,499
$6,499
Where will you be riding?
There are a few components to this, ranging from your literal geographical location to the terrain you’ll be covering.
Location:
Riding in a city is different from riding in the country. Because of traffic, other riders, & pedestrians, cities are more suited for rides with lower speeds, stronger brakes, more manoeuvrability, and lower weights.
On the other hand, the road quality in cities is generally better and there will be more cycle paths, so suspension isn’t as necessary. Moreover, as public transport is more prevalent, you won’t need to choose a ride with a super long range.
Further out, rural & countryside riding presents its own challenges. Deteriorating or irregular road quality makes suspension a must, and without regular trains, trams, & buses, you may need a scooter capable of travelling further between charges. That said, there isn’t as much congestion in the country, so you can generally choose something a bit more powerful. Extra power necessitates better brakes as well, so keep that in mind if you live away from metro areas.
What Terrain Will You Be Riding On?
Terrain has a huge impact on which e-scooter you should choose. You may live in the city, but your chosen path might take you across gravel paths, sand, grass, or hilly terrain.
Most scooters can handle the odd bit of rough terrain provided you keep it to a minimum, while some are designed for the peaks & troughs of the road less scooted.
Tarmacked or Sealed Roads
Effectively, every e-scooter on the market can handle tarmacked & sealed roads. While some are built with offroad in mind, they can still deal with roads.
If you’re riding almost entirely on this type of surface, then an electric commuter scooter is probably the best place to start. You can read our guide on the best electric scooters for commuting here, or view our commuter e-scooter collection here.
Here are some of our recommendations if you’ll be spending most of your time in metro areas or on tarmac roads.
Level
Entry-Level
Mid-Range
Top of the Line
Model
Segway E2
Plus
Apollo Air
Segway MAX G2
Photo
Suspension
None
Front dual fork
Front hydraulic +
rear double
spring
Price
$649
$1,499
$1,699
Gravel, Stone & Loose Terrain
Uneven surfaces such as rail trails, stone paths, and gravel cycle tracks present a few problems for the more straight-forward commuter e-scooters listed above.
For starters, suspension is an absolute must, ideally front & rear. A jarring ride is uncomfortable and unsafe, so the added impact protection provided by suspension will not only protect your scooter, but you as well. Suspension also improves grip & handling, giving you a more controllable ride over loose surfaces.
Here are the Electric Kicks picks for rough terrain.
Level
Entry-Level
Mid-Range
Top of the Line
Model
Inokim OX
Super
Apollo City Pro
Segway P100SE
Photo
Tyres
10-inch pneumatic
10-inch tubeless,
self-healing
10.5-inch tubeless,
self-healing
Suspension
Dual, adjustable
Front & rear spring
Front and rear disc
+ electronic
Price
$2,399
$2,699
$2,799
Humid Areas, or Areas Prone to Rainfall
If you’ll be riding in humid areas, or areas prone to a lot of rain, you should go for something with a high IP water resistance rating. Remember, water damage guarantees to void your warranty, so sticking to higher water resistance ratings reduces (but doesn’t eliminate) the chances of your ride packing in due to water ingress.
Here are some of the highest rated e-scooters for water resistance available right now.
Level
Entry-Level
Mid-Range
Top of the Line
Model
Pure Air³ Pro+
Pure Advance+
Apollo City Pro
Photo
IP Rating
IP65
IP65
IP66
Price
$1,399
$2,099
$2,699
Dry, Dusty, or Sandy Areas
Similarly, if you’re riding in dry, dusty, or sandy areas, you should also look for high IP resistance ratings, as dust ingress is also covered in the IP rating. Dust can start to grind moving parts down, such as folding mechanisms, wheels, motors, suspension, & more, so a ride with a higher IP rating protects against this.
Hills
Most electric scooters can handle a 10 degree incline. Some may not do it at a particularly high speed, but most can manage provided the scooter is not operating beyond its maximum weight limit.
However, if you’re going to regularly tackle hills, you should consider dual motor scooters. They have more power & torque, and are less likely to burn out.
In an interesting note, the steepest residential road in Australia is Gower Street in Brisbane, coming in at an angle of 17.4 degrees, or 31%. If your desired e-Scooter can handle that, you shouldn’t have a problem with hills anywhere.
You’ll find a list of our dual motor electric scooters here, and a list of our recommendations for e-scooters with strong hill climbing abilities.
Level
Entry-Level
Mid-Range
Top of the Line
Model
Anyhill UM2
Apollo Ghost
Apollo
Phantom V3
Photo
Carry Weight
11°
25°
25°
Price
$1,499
$2,499
$3,199
Forest Trails or Tracks with Obstacles
Forest trails are beautiful places to spend your time, but rocks, boulders, creeks, and tree roots are nightmares for even the most robust electric scooters. If this is how you plan on using your scooter, then you need to get one with a good combination of off-roading capability, high load capacity, and range.
Level
Entry-Level
Mid-Range
Top of the Line
Model
Inokim OX
Super
Apollo Ghost
Apollo Pro
Photo
Suspension
Dual,
adjustable
Adjustable
dual-spring
Front hydraulic
+ rear rubber
Max Capacity
120 kg
135 kg
150 kg
Range
97 km
63 km
100 km
Price
$2,399
$2,499
$5,999
How Far Will You Be Travelling Each Day?
The distance an average electric scooter can travel between charges is generally increasing, with the industry average range sitting around 50-65 km. With longer range comes higher prices, so you can make some great savings if you only need something for a few kilometres a day.
Last-Mile Journeys
Last-mile journeys are small sessions that generally connect larger parts of your journey together—i.e getting from your house to the train station, then from the train station to work. These short trips are generally measured in single digits, so if this is all you need, you can choose some great short-distance & lightweight e-Scooters such as the ones found in this list.
Level
Entry-Level
Mid-Range
Top of the Line
Model
Segway F2
Apollo Air
Inokim Light 2
Photo
Range
40 km
55 km
40 km
Price
$949
$1,499
$1,599
Long Adventures
If you plan on travelling far away from society and will be away from a power source for a long time, you’ll want to make sure your ride has enough juice for this. While scooters can be “kicked” when they are out of power, this isn’t a particularly pleasant way of riding and downright hard work if you have to do it over a long distance. Similarly, while there are plenty of lighter scooters, no-one wants to carry or push an e-scooter for a long distance.
Look at how far you will have to travel between charges, and buy an e-scooter to match.
Here are some of the longest range e-scooters if based on price-point.
Level
Entry-Level
Mid-Range
Top of the Line
Model
Segway MAX G2
Segway P100SE
Inokim OXO
Photo
Range
70 km
100 km
110 km
Price
$1,699
$2,799
$3,399
Do you have experience riding e-scooters?
If you’ve never ridden an electric scooter before, chances are our fastest electric scooters aren’t for you.
Instead, you’ll find a few scooters that are more suitable for beginners that have gentle acceleration, lower top speeds, and are easier to handle.
Fair warning, however: electric scooters aren’t difficult to ride, so the learning curve is short. It’s not uncommon for riders to start with an entry-level e-scooter and find themselves wanting more after a few months. Moreover, e-scooters are beginning to adopt ‘riding modes’ allowing you to increase & decrease power delivery. While you may not feel ready for something more powerful, it probably won’t take you long to become ready. Keep this in mind when purchasing.
Here are some great options for users buying their first e-scooter.
Level
Entry-Level
Mid-Range
Top of the Line
Model
Segway E2
Plus
Pure Air³
Pure Advance
Flex
Photo
Speed
25 kph
25 kph
25 kph
Price
$649
$1,199
$2,299
Do You Have a Budget in Mind?
Electric scooters vary quite wildly in price. While the cheapest can go for a few hundred dollars, some e-Scooters compete with used cars in terms of price.
Budget is generally the last thing you should consider when buying an electric scooter. What you need should always come first, with what you want coming second.
The saying ‘Buy Cheap, Buy Twice’ holds true. Starting with a budget can lead you to dismiss rides with features you actually need, and land you with a ride that doesn’t do what you want. In these circumstances, you may find yourself having to upgrade early, and in more extreme cases, you may be forking out to repair damage caused by using your e-scooter beyond its limits.
Decide on what you want & need first, then consider price last. With such a wide variety of e-scooters available, you’ll generally find something that meets all your needs & wants at a price you can afford.
These rides below represent some of the lowest-priced e-scooters you can find at the moment, but don’t fall into the trap of thinking that these are lacking. Despite their lower price, they are still great options for price-conscious rides who want a quality ride.
How Fast Do You Want To Go?
For some, this is the only question that matters, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
While it’s difficult to find somewhere to legally put the proverbial foot down, some e-scooters can reach speeds of 70+ kph, with a handful going over 100kph.
For day-to-day use, these rides aren’t suitable. They are heavy. They are powerful. They can take up to half a day to charge, and they attract attention of the police-y fine-y type.
If you’re buying an e-Scooter to blow your socks off from time to time, start your searches at dual motor scooters. If you’re buying something that can go fast when you need it, but is a little more discreet, take a look at rides such as the Apollo Ghost & Apollo City. If speed isn’t a concern for you, the rides in this lightweight & portable list should suit your needs.
Here are some of the best recommendations for fast electric scooters based on price.
Level
Entry-Level
Mid-Range
Top of the Line
Model
Apollo
Phantom V3
Apollo Pro
Segway GT2
Photo
Speed
64 kph
70 kph
70 kph
Price
$3,199
$5,999
$6,499
How Often Will You Be Using the E-Scooter?
This is closely linked to the point about e-Scooter range. If you’re going to use your e-Scooter every single day, you should consider a ride with a little more range, as frequent depleting and consequent recharging of your battery can eventually start to limit its lifespan.
If you’re travelling far enough to deplete your battery every day or two, choose something with a longer range.
Will You Need to Ride in the Rain?
Weather is unpredictable, and beautiful sunny days perfect for e-scooter riding can turn into downpours quickly. Tropical areas such as the Queensland coast will get monsoon-type weather more often than places such as the Northern Territory, so it’s a safe bet that you’ll need something that can handle more water than most.
Here’s a guide to IP ratings that apply to most of the e-scooters available on our store.
- IPX4: Protects from splashing water, no matter the direction
- IPX5: Protected against low pressure water stream from any angle
- IP54: Protected against powerful water jets
- IP56: Water from projected jets shall not enter in any harmful quantity
- IPX6: Protected against high pressure water stream from any angle
As a warning of sorts, it’s important to understand that nothing is waterproof. IP ratings are a guide that gives you an idea of how much your ride is protected from jets & streams of water, but they don’t serve as guarantees that your ride is protected from water damage.
Water damage can present in entirely random ways, such as flickering lights, to electric brakes failing. Always remember that water damage is not covered under warranty, so we always recommend keeping your e-scooter away from water as often as possible, and wiping away splashes & droplets with a dry cloth as soon as you can.
Will you need to carry the e-Scooter?
If you live in more densely-populated areas, there’s a greater chance you will encounter stairs. Whether this is climbing stairs to an apartment, or navigating the stairways of your work, if you’re going to be carrying your e-Scooter for any length of time, aim for something light weight.
If you’re a gym-goer, consider how much you can repeatedly lift at the gym. If you don’t struggle with 20-40kg, then a lot of our e-scooters are open to you. If that’s too high, then there are a handful of e-scooters that come in under 20kg.
You can view our recommendations on the most lightweight & portable e-scooters here, or look at our quick recommendations below.
Level
Entry-Level
For more information, please visit 1500w Electric Scooters.
Mid-Range
Top of the Line
Model
Segway E2
Plus
Pure Air³
Inokim Light 2
Photo
Unit Weight
14.4 kg
15.5 kg
14 kg
Price
$649
$1,199
$1,599
What are your local laws regarding e-scooter use?
Here’s where things get complicated. In many states, the laws and subsequent enforcement of those laws are different things.
Laws relating to the use of electric scooters in public areas vary from state-to-state, and they are regularly updated. We haven’t listed any laws in this article as they would likely become out of date quickly, but always make sure you know the laws that surround the use of electric scooters in your local area before you purchase. If you use your e-scooter before realising it doesn’t meet the requirements of your local legislation, you may struggle to get a refund.
Regardless of your local laws, you can take some steps to minimise the risk to yourself and others:
- ALWAYS wear a helmet;
- Don’t use a phone while riding;
- Don’t ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
- Don’t “Double-up” (ride with a passenger);
- Don’t ride on pavements/ footpaths designed for foot traffic;
- Respect speed limits;
- Don’t ride in dedicated pedestrian areas;
Obviously, this isn’t legal advice. Ultimately, knowing the rules & regulations is the rider’s responsibility, and “I didn’t know” isn’t proving an effective excuse.
Any Other Questions?
As you work your way through the choices that are open to you, you may develop more specific questions than we’ve listed above. If you have something you’d like to know, feel free to give us a call on 1300 054 257, and we’ll help you out.
Anatomy of an Electric Scooter
Technical jargon ahoy! Now we’ve covered some basics about purchasing an electric scooter, let’s take a look at what some of the metrics mean. What’s considered good? What performance should you look for? How does a scooter’s statistics relate to its performance? Let’s take a look?
Power & Motor
As you can imagine, an e-scooter’s power comes from its motor and that power is measured in Watts (W). The higher the motor wattage, the more powerful the scooter. Power itself can relate to top speed, torque, & acceleration, or a combination of all three.
Power also has an impact on weight limit, hill climb, and while it’s not the only metric that matters when judging a scooter’s overall performance, it does have an impact on its top speed.
This chart shows the relationship between the average top speed of the electric scooters we stock in our inventory and their respective motor power.
Similarly, this chart shows the relationship between motor power & climb angle:
Power is relative to what you need, so it’s difficult to gauge ‘good’ power from anything else. Good power is generally whatever gets you around without problem, and that depends on how you’ll be using your ride. Generally, between 500-1,000W is fine for an e-scooter that will be used for commuting. 150-500 watts is good for kids' scooters, while over 1,000W is better for fast rides & fun.
As a metric on its own, power doesn’t guarantee a fast ride, as the battery & controller also have an impact on how that power is channelled through the e-scooter.
Range
Range is measured in kilometres, and as you may have guessed, it’s a measure of the maximum range an electric scooter can travel on a single charge.
In most cases, these numbers are produced under perfect testing conditions by the manufacturer, and are difficult to replicate in the real world. As such, it’s rare that an e-scooter will be able to meet its maximum range regularly.
Other factors play into this, such as how the scooter is being ridden. Riding at or over the weight limit, uphill, or pushing the ride to its maximum top speed will reduce overall range, so use it as a guide only, rather than a guarantee.
Batteries
Batteries power the whole ride, including electronic brakes, LCD screens, lights, horns, motors, & controllers. A battery’s performance is split into three areas:
-
Voltage (V): This is the pressure that pushes current around an electrical circuit. The higher the voltage, the more energy is generated from the electrical current.
-
Amperage (Ah): This is a measure of how much amperage (current) a battery can provide for exactly one hour. The higher the Ah, the more electricity is flowing through your device per hour.
-
Capacity (Wh): This is derived from multiplying the voltage by the amperage, the Watt-hour (Wh) of a battery denotes how much energy the battery can store. Larger numbers generally mean longer battery life.
It’s worth noting that a higher voltage coupled with a lower amperage can sometimes produce the same results as a lower voltage battery that produces a higher amperage, and that high voltage or amperage alone is not enough to guarantee a good range.
In simple terms, the more powerful the battery, generally the longer range an electric scooter will have.
Below you’ll see the relationship between battery voltage, amperage, and capacity on an electric scooter’s range.
Battery Voltage vs. Range
Battery Amperage vs. Range
Battery Capacity vs. Range
Similar to power, a good battery is one that has enough power to let you do what you need to do, so you should probably look at range as a better metric rather than the battery itself. Battery power does, however, have an impact on acceleration and torque, so high voltage coupled with high amperage usually means rapid acceleration. Conversely, lower voltage & amperage usually means low acceleration.
It’s worth noting that a high capacity battery with a powerful motor can have a lower range than you’d expect as the motor draws more power. These rides also tend to be heavier.
Brakes
All electric scooters have brakes, but the type & number of brakes vary. Here’s a list of the different types of brakes you’ll find on electric scooters:
Mechanical Disc Brakes
These are operated by a cable that pushes two brake pads against a disc. That disc is fixed to the wheel, so when the disc slows down due to friction against the brake pads, the wheel slows down as well. Mechanical brakes are simple to repair & replace, but aren’t as powerful as their nearest cousin, hydraulic brakes.
Hydraulic Disc Brakes
These work on a similar concept to mechanical brakes except that a hydraulic fluid is used to push the brake pads together rather than a cable. Hydraulic brakes tend to be more powerful, but are harder to adjust, repair & replace.
Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking is a type of electronic brake that converts the energy lost from braking and pushes it back into the battery, helping charge the battery by doing so. Regen braking isn’t a new concept, but it hasn’t been perfected on electric scooters until recently when Apollo launched the Apollo City and Air. Aside from Apollo, now we’re also seeing regen braking in other brands like Pure Electric.
With regenerative braking, the energy saved is generally enough to add an extra 1-2 kms of range back into the battery.
Foot Brake
Foot brakes are seen on some of the very first electric scooters, but they are rare nowadays on everything except rides designed for children. They are activated by standing on the fender over the rear wheel, and pushing the fender into the wheel to create fiction.
Having no mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical components, they are reasonably problem-free. However, at speeds, they have an increased chance of causing uncontrollable skidding, which is why they are usually found on children’s e-scooters that aren’t capable of reaching high speeds in the first place. Additionally, if they break, you lose most of your stopping power.
Electric Braking
Electrical braking and regenerative braking work in a similar way except that the battery isn’t charged with an electric brake. A button or lever activates an electronic circuit that activates the brake, but with electronic braking, that’s the end of it.
Drum Brakes
Drum brakes are common on cheaper scooters with lower top speeds as they aren’t as powerful as disc brakes. They work by having ‘feet’ or pads that push against the inside of the rim from within the wheel itself.
Enclosed entirely within the wheel of the scooter, they generally require little maintenance because they are reasonably protected from the elements. Replacing them can be an extensive job, however, and tricky to accomplish without professional help.
Stopping is a crucial feature of an e-scooter for both safety & control. Some e-scooters mix & match brake types. The Apollo City, for example, has front & rear drum brakes & a regenerative brake.
If you’re planning on going fast, and will be zooming downhill often, go for more powerful disc brakes. If you’re planning on more gentle commutes, you have a broader choice of brakes.
Controllers
The controller is an electronic device that manages the speed at which an electric motor goes. Sometimes known as an ESC (Electronic Speed Controller), it controls the flow of current from the battery to the motor when it receives input from the throttle.
If an electric scooter has electronic braking, the controller also manages the routing of power back into the battery.
Electric scooters that have one motor generally only have one controller, whereas dual motor scooters tend to have two controllers managed by the one input (throttle) so they work at the same time.
The controller is usually where speed & power limits are found, so they are the common target of people who want to ‘flash’ their e-scooters to remove any factory-imposed limitations. While doing so can make your scooter more powerful & faster, it also voids any warranty on the ride and can lead to a diminished overall lifespan of the ride.
Throttle
The throttle is the go-button of the e-scooter, and the rider uses it to get the scooter to move. Throttles come in different styles, although choosing the right one for you is more a matter of personal preference than functionality.
Thumb Throttle
Thumb throttles sit just underneath the handlebars so they can be operated by the rider’s thumb without having to remove hands from the grip. Most commonly found on entry-level e-scooters, they are often difficult to replace.
While they are the most ergonomic of throttles out there, they can prove troublesome to effectively control over bumps & rough terrain simply because the thumb will bounce on the throttle.
These are fine on commuter e-scooters or anything that won’t tackle rough terrain on a regular basis, but you should focus on other throttle types for taking on rougher surfaces.
Thumb throttles don’t come with a built-in screen, so e-scooters that use them tend to have a dedicated screen elsewhere.
Trigger Throttle
Trigger throttles are most commonly found on performance e-scooters, and are operated with the rider’s index finger. They sit above the handlebars, and have more features than the thumb throttle.
You can expect an built-in LCD screen that reads out speed, range, battery percentage, riding mode, & odometer. On top of that, the trigger throttle also features the power button & the e-scooter settings.
Trigger throttles are easier to manage at speed because the rider’s hand is more stable, but some riders feel the higher position of the trigger creates an uncomfortable riding position, leading their trigger hand to cramp.
Because they are often included on faster rides, if you are looking for a gentle & easy-going ride, trigger throttles are often an indication that the ride is more powerful in nature. They are very responsive, and lead to quick acceleration, making them a little unsafe if you’ll be spending any time around obstacles & areas with pedestrians.
However, if power & speed is what you’re after, trigger throttles are the way to go.
Twist Throttle
Twist throttles are similar to what you’d find on motorbikes, and they aren’t particularly common on e-scooters. They are operated when the user twists the throttle on the handlebars, generally with their index finger & thumb.
They offer good control, and they have an ergonomic hand position. Riders don’t need to have a finger on a trigger, or need to remove their thumb from the handlebars to operate them. They are easier to control over bumps as the hand is kept stable by its grip on the rest of the handlebars.
They are rare on e-scooters and some riders feel they can interfere with brake operation because they can’t keep their fingers on the brakes while using the throttle at the same time.
Realistically, you aren’t going to come across many twist throttles, and unlike finger & thumb throttles, they don’t really appear on a particular type of e-scooter. For example, the Segway-Ninebot GT2, with dual 1500W motors and 70 kph top speed, has a twist throttle, but so does the seated electric scooter EMove Roadrunner Pro, with dual 2000W motors and a maximum speed of 80 kph. In other words, there’s no real reason to jump at the opportunity to own a thumb-throttle e-scooter. Conversely, there’s no real reason to avoid twist throttles either.
Weight
This is a fairly straightforward metric. Weight is generally measured in kilograms, and represents how heavy the e-Scooter is.
There is a correlation between power & weight, with the faster scooters generally weighing more due to the amount of componentry required to produce that power.
There isn’t really a recommendation on what weight is right for you as it all comes down to what you’re comfortable carrying. If you are fine hauling a 40kg scooter up stairs, then go for a 40 kg scooter. If that doesn’t work for you, perhaps avoid the 40 kg scooter.
Some states have laws that state e-scooters have to be less than a certain weight to be legal, so before buying your favourite scooter, check your local laws to make sure you won’t see it confiscated.
Rider Weight
Measured in kilograms, the weight limit is the maximum weight an electric scooter can safely and efficiently handle. It is sometimes known as weight capacity, or carrying capacity.
Always respect an e-scooter’s maximum rider weight. Overloading your scooter by forcing it to carry more weight than it can handle is the fastest way of being the proud owner of a dead scooter.
Ignoring weight limits can burn out controllers, motors, damage suspension, prematurely affect batteries, reduce acceleration, diminish top speed, & eventually cause the scooter to pack in. It’s easy to see when an e-scooter has been overloaded, and if it’s clear that your ride has been pushed beyond its limits, you might find repairs aren’t covered by warranty.
As mentioned earlier, when selecting the e-scooter for you, choose one that can carry your weight + 10%, and make further allowances for any baggage or accessories you may be carrying as well.
Charge Time
This is how long your ride will take to fully charge from empty in hours. This is generally advisory only, and not something you particularly need to worry about if you, like most e-scooter riders, will be charging it overnight or while you’re at work.
Charging time is affected by overall battery capacity, and you can see the relationship between the two below.
Climb Angle
Climb angle is a measure of how steep a hill the e-scooter can safely handle. It’s measured in degrees (°) or percentage incline (%).
It’s worth paying attention to climb angles, as lower powered e-scooters will struggle to effectively conquer hills, particularly if they are nearing their weight limit.
If you’re wondering what the difference is between a climb angle as a percentage and a climb angle as a degree, a percentage incline is approximately double the degree incline, so if an e-scooter has a climb angle of 20%, it’ll be able to safely handle climbs of about 10°.
The steepest road in Australia is 17.4° or 31%, so as a general guide, anything with a climb angle of 20° or more should be able to handle Australia’s hills. They may not do it at speed, however, and the less power you have, the more battery life will be used to get up those hills, which then impacts overall range. Similarly, if your e-scooter is going uphills at, or over, its recommended weight limit, frequently pushing it up steep hills can cause problems that worsen over time.
Generally, the more powerful the e-scooter, the better the climb angle. This can be seen in the chart below.
Lighting
It’s more and more common to see electric scooters come with built-in lights, particularly as laws around the world generally call for every scooter to be fitted with lights of some nature, whether they are built in or simply fixed to the handlebars.
What lights are included in each scooter can vary, so here’s a breakdown of the type of lights you can find on e-scooters, and what they are good for:
Headlights
Headlights sit at the front of the scooter and illuminate the path in front of you. They generally sit on or near the handlebars, but some models have lights just above the front wheel, somewhere on the stem, or even built into the deck itself.
Headlights on e-scooters are generally better at helping you be seen by other road users than they are at helping you see, so if you’re going to be riding in the dark, we suggest investing in a better light that fits to the handlebars, such as the Gaciron range of lights.
Taillights
These are the red lights that appear at the back of the e-scooter. Often located on the rear fender or built into the back of the deck, they make it easier to see you from behind. More often than not, tail lights also have brake light functions.
Brake lights
Most e-scooters that have tail lights also have brake lights that activate when the rider pulls the various brake levers on the scooter.
Indicators
Like cars and motorbikes, e-scooters can have indicators that show other road users when you are turning. These are a little rarer than the other lights listed above, but they are becoming more common, particularly as some regulations state the e-Scooters must have indicators to be used on public roads.
Atmospheric Lights
Atmospheric lights serve two main purposes—helping the rider be seen from all angles, and just looking cool.
Often built into the deck, atmospheric lights tend to shine downwards onto the ground underneath the scooter. Some have fixed colours, while others can be set to rotate through a range of colours for maximum effect.
Atmospheric lights don’t really add anything to the ride other than cool lighting effects.
Folding Mechanism
Almost all e-Scooters come with some sort of folding mechanism that allows the ride to collapse downwards
The folding mechanism on the Pure Advance Flex
On most e-scooters, the folding mechanism sits at the base of the stem just above the front wheel. It’s designed to allow the stem to fold backwards against the deck, which makes it easier to carry and store the scooter.
However, in the case of the Pure Advance Flex (pictured above), the deck, stem, and handlebars all collapse for a more compact folded form.
Folding mechanisms are great for saving space and increasing portability, but some mechanisms on folding e-scooters can cause stem wobble. While not disastrous, it can create an unstable ride that makes riders feel a little less secure in the ride.
Generally, newer mechanisms are much more secure.
Tyres
Not all tyres are equal, and they can have quite an impact on your ride. Unfortunately, one of the biggest drawbacks of electric scooters is that their tyres can be prone to punctures, and as they are still an emerging technology, spare tyres & service centres capable of fitting them are in short supply. That’s steadily improving, however, and if you buy from Electric Kicks, we carry a full range of spare tyres along with service partners in most states.
There are a few different types of tyres:
Pneumatic Tyres
Pneumatic tyres are made of flexible rubber, filled with air, and keep their structure by using air pressure. Because rubber is quite supple, pneumatic tyres are better at shock absorption.
The type of ride they give can also be adjusted by adding more air or letting air out, with more air increasing speed & acceleration at the sacrifice of grip, and less air improving grip at the sacrifice of speed & acceleration.
Pneumatic tyres come in two variants:
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Tubeless: These tyres don’t have inner tubes, and instead work by forming an airtight seam between the tyre and the rim. These are generally more durable & puncture resistant, but given that, they tend to be reserved for more powerful scooters.The downside is that if they get a puncture, the whole tyre needs to be replaced.
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Inner Tube Tyres: These are more common on entry-level commuter e-scooters. An inflatable inner tube sits between the tyre and the rim, and holds the air that gives the tyre its form. The tyres used in conjunction with inner tubes tend to be thinner, leading to the increased chance of punctures. However, in these instances, the inner tube can be patched, keeping repair costs down. For bigger punctures, or pinch punctures, only the tube needs to be replaced, and only in rare cases will the tyre need to be replaced with it.
Solid Tyres
Solid tyres are effectively solid blocks of hard rubber, or polyurethane foam. As far as technological prowess, they are the least extensive, literally just being a lump of rubber someone made into a circle.
They are immune to punctures as they don’t have any air, and because they don’t really have any technical componentry, they are cheap.
However, being solid, they have limited grip & shock absorption, which can produce an unstable & uncomfortable ride. Also, because they aren’t flexible, they are prone to wearing out quickly.
Similarly, they are quite hard to replace, as they generally require the removal of the whole wheel, and any motors or components within the wheel as well.
Puncture Proof & Self Healing Tyres
Puncture proof tyres are high-quality tyres that have a layer of fibre underneath the tread that prevents sharp objects from penetrating through to the inner tube. They can also have a hardened tread in some cases, although this can sacrifice ride comfort.
Self Healing tyres have a gel compound that is released when something penetrates the air bladder of the tyre. That gel hardens as it dries to fill the hole, and prevents further air from escaping. The tyre will most likely need to be inflated, but the air should stay after that.
Both these tyres generally cost a bit more than standard tyres, but they minimise the chances of tyres needing to be repaired or replaced. That said, like any other tyre, they will eventually reach their maximum shelf life, and while these two types of tyres last longer, they will cost more to be replaced.
There is no right or wrong type of tyre, but if you’re planning on going on adventures, or spending a lot of time riding on loose terrain such as gravel, we recommend puncture proof or self healing tyres such as the ones found on the Apollo City or the Segway-Ninebot Max G2.
Suspension
Suspension is becoming more common on electric scooters, and that’s a good thing. Suspension not only improves ride comfort and increases overall grip, but they can also protect the scooter from jarring shocks.
There are a few types of suspension available:
Spring Suspension
Spring suspension has a spring that expands & contracts to absorb shocks. It’s an effective shock absorber, and is reasonably straightforward to maintain
Hydraulic Suspension
Hydraulic suspension uses hydraulic fluid to absorb impact by pushing an actuator in and out. It’s generally more expensive than most other types of suspension, but keeps your wheels firmly on the ground. It’s found largely on ludicrous-level scooters.
Air Piston Suspension
Air piston suspension works by compressing air within a cylinder, and then allowing that air to expand again. When riding over a bump, the piston compresses the air, but as the air will naturally expand, the piston is pushed back out again, providing the shock absorption needed to get over the obstacle comfortably.
Rubber Suspension
Being a flexible and malleable material, rubber can make quite good suspension, but it is prone to wearing out quickly.
If you’re planning on tackling rough or loose terrain, focus on hydraulic or spring suspension. For bumps in otherwise reasonably smooth roads, spring & air piston suspension should be fine.
Water Resistance
Water resistance is measured by the IP rating system, which stands for Ingress Protection. This system also measures an item’s protection against ingress from dust and other particles.
Generally, the higher the number in the IP rating, the better the water resistance. Here are the most common IP ratings you’ll find on e-Scooters, and what they mean:
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IPX4: Protects from splashing water, no matter the direction
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IPX5: Protected against low pressure water stream from any angle
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IP54: Protected against powerful water jets
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IP56: Water from projected jets shall not enter in any harmful quantity
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IPX6: Protected against high pressure water stream from any angle
Most e-scooters can handle a little bit of rain and moisture, but don’t make a habit of riding in the rain. Even on higher IP ratings, we still suggest avoiding heavy rain & puddles. Similarly, even though your ride might get dirty from time-to-time, we suggest you keep it away from pressure washers, and just wipe the ride down instead.
Maintenance
Electric scooter maintenance is crucial if you want your ride to last. If you have zero technical knowledge, no tools, and no intention of maintaining your ride, we suggest researching places near you that will do this servicing for you before you buy anything, as posting an e-scooter to a service centre can be an expensive exercise.
Here’s what you should be prepared to do to keep your scooter running smoothly.
Keep Your Tyres Inflated
Under-inflated tyres are prone to punctures, so it’s best to check your tyre pressures every 1-2 weeks and pump them up to their recommended pressure if required. You don’t need a special tool to do this, as most e-scooter tyres can be inflated with a standard bike pump. You can also get automatic tyre inflators that take the guesswork out of inflating tyres
Keep Your Bolts Tightened
Electric scooters have multiple bolts from front to back that become loose over time. Every month or so, you should go over all bolts with an appropriate tool (usually an Allen Key similar to the ones you get from your favourite Swedish furniture store) to ensure that all your bolts are tight & secure.
Be careful of over-tightening bolts though. Doing so can cause bolts to shear, making them unsafe for use. If you think you’re pushing too hard to tighten a bolt, you probably are.
Keep Your Ride Clean
Dust, dirt, and water can build up and work its way into your e-scooter’s componentry. It’s best to give your ride a wipe down with a dry, or lightly dampened cloth to remove any particles before they start to build up.
Keep Your Cables Tight
This relates more to mechanical disc brakes, which are operated by a cable that connects the brake lever to the brake. These cables can slip and stretch over time, so you should make sure to keep them tight. Make sure you don’t tighten them too much, however, as you may inadvertently cause the brakes to be partially ‘on,’ which will cause the brake pads to rub against the disc. This can wear brakes out quickly, and put unnecessary strain on the motors & controllers.
Keep Your Moving Parts Lubricated
Add a small amount of spray lubricant to wheel bearings, suspension, and folding mechanism from time to time, wiping off any excess with a dry cloth.
Absolutely avoid getting any lubricant on your brakes unless you have a particular desire to go out slamming face first into whatever you were trying to avoid.
Buy Right: What a Good e-Scooter Shop Should Offer
There are a few places where you can buy electric scooters. Some are online. Some have physical stores. Regardless of where you buy your e-scooter, here are some things you should always check before you buy.
Warranty Policy
Like most new products, electric scooters should be covered by a warranty that protects the owner in the event an e-scooter develops a manufacturing fault. The warranty entitles the user to a free repair, or a full replacement in the event the problem can’t be repaired.
While Australian consumer law states that every new product must be covered by some sort of warranty, what is included in that warranty varies from store to store. Similarly, some scooter brands, such as Apollo, have a custom warranty that entitles the users to longer warranty periods, capped-price servicing, or cost-price parts.
You may also find that some parts of the e-Scooter aren’t included in the warranty, or have a different length of warranty from the rest of the scooter. For example, the frame of the scooter including deck, stem, and handlebars may be under warranty for 12 months, but the battery is only covered for 6 months, and the tyres aren’t covered at all.
This is valuable information to know, so always read & understand the warranty policy before you buy.
Shipping
Electric scooters are expensive to ship because they are generally big & bulky items. Shipping costs can quickly add anywhere between $50 to $500 to an e-scooter order, so look for businesses that offer free shipping to avoid this cost.
Returns Policy
Always. Read. The. Returns. Policy.
Just like cars, e-scooters have odometers and as soon as the unit is powered on, that e-scooter is no longer classed as ‘new.’
A lot of e-scooter stores don’t accept returns for products that have been used in any way, shape or form, even if you’ve only ridden 1km before trying to send it back. Returns policies may also stipulate other terms & conditions such as requiring the product to be sent back in its original packaging, or only accepting returns within a certain timeframe. We highly recommend you take care when opening your e-scooter to preserve your packaging. If you ever need to send it back, having the box handy increases your chances of your return being accepted.
Note that returns for change-of-mind are usually separate from warranty issues, and unlike warranty policies, businesses are free to add their own restrictions to returns policies, even as far as charging for returns.
We recommend thoroughly researching your electric scooter, leveraging the Electric Kicks team, and using review sites to make sure your electric scooter suits all your needs before you buy.
Servicing
We mentioned earlier that finding electric scooter service centres can be quite tricky. While the situation is improving, you should always buy from somewhere that offers some sort of service network. This takes the hassle & guesswork out of trying to find potential suppliers, as you really only have bike shops for support, and some simply refuse to work on e-scooters.
The service network is only part of this, however. You should also check on whether your chosen supplier has spare parts in stock, or at least a way of quickly getting spare parts.
If no service centres are available near you, you may end up having to ship your e-scooter back to your supplier (wouldn’t it be handy if you kept the box…?), and unless there’s a warranty claim somewhere in there, you’ll likely need to cover shipping costs there and back. Keep that in mind when buying your e-scooter, particularly if you live in remote areas.
Phone Support
If you’ve never owned an e-scooter before, you may have questions about how it works. Sometimes it’s easier to phone someone, so make sure whomever you’re buying from gives you some way you can get in touch when you need some support.
Buying for Someone Else? Here’s What You Should Consider
Young Children
Safety is one of the most important aspects of electric scooters designed to be ridden by children. Keep an eye out for:
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Low top speeds: Ride should reach no more than 10-15kph.
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Slow acceleration: Any scooter where the manufacturer has specified how fast their product accelerates is probably too fast for a child. Choose lower voltage batteries and less powerful motors under the 500W mark.
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Multiple brakes: Front & rear brakes are ideal. A lot of kids’ e-scooters also have a foot brake over the back wheel, which is great in case other brakes fail.
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Lightweight: Kids can’t safely manoeuvre heavy rides, so keep weight down.
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Lighting: This is more to make sure your kids can be seen riding, rather than helping them to see in the dark.
Age
6-12 years old
9 years old and above
Model
Segway-Ninebot Zing C8
Segway-Ninebot C2 Pro
Photo
Price
$399
$599
Older Children
As kids grow older, they tend to start pushing their limits. They want faster speeds, quicker acceleration, and more features. They are less concerned about safety, yet despite this, they still need something that’ll help them avoid accidents. Here’s what you should consider:
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Average Top Speeds: It may be easier to consider it this way—the e-scooter should be capable of going no faster than they can pedal a bike. For most older children, this’ll be around the 10-25 kph range.
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Suspension: Older kids tend to ignore regulations and will try taking their scooter where it shouldn’t really go. Look for scooters with at least some sort of suspension.
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Multiple Brakes: Front & rear brakes are ideal, but ideally e-scooters at this level should have two brakes controlled by handlebars on the scooter.
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Lighting: This is more to make sure your kids can be seen riding, rather than helping them to see in the dark.
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Protection: Older kids are more likely to leave their e-scooter unattended, so we suggest buying a lock of some degree with the e-scooter so your kids can lock them up.
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Adjustable Stem Height: As your kids grow, an adjustable stem will allow the handlebar height to grow with them. Sadly, these are decreasingly common on e-scooters, so best to jump on them as soon as you can. Check out rides such as the Segway-Ninebot C2 Pro if this is important to you.
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Range: Older kids will adventure further away from home, so make sure you buy something with a 20-40km range to ensure that they can always make it back.
Age
9 years old and above
11-16 years old
16 years old and above
Model
Segway C2 Pro
Segway MiniPro 2
Segway E2 Plus
Photo
Price
$599
$1,199
$649
First-time Riders
If you’re buying an electric scooter for someone that has never ridden one before, you should look towards entry level e-scooters that aren’t dissimilar to the parameters listed for older children.
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Average Top Speeds: 25-35kph is a great place for new e-scooter riders to start. It’ll give them a stable experience of what it’s like to ride a scooter, and enable them to develop as a rider.
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Range: Unlike kids, adults will go wherever they want, and probably use the scooter for commuting. Having a longer range is more helpful so they aren’t restricted by distance. Something around the 30 - 50km mark is perfect.
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Suspension: Rides without suspension can be uncomfortable & actually cause accidents if they are hit with a sudden jolt. To ensure your first-time rider enjoys their time, get something with at least front suspension. The new Apollo Air, for example, is a perfect entry-level commuter e-scooter that features suspension.
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Foldable & Portable: A collapsable stem makes the e-scooter easier to carry about, whether that be into offices or into apartments. As adults are more likely to regularly be in places where the e-scooter will need to be packed away, you should ensure your chosen ride has a solid folding mechanism.
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Technical Knowledge: If you’re buying an e-scooter for someone who isn’t used to maintaining technology, you’re better going for something that doesn’t require a lot of upkeep or servicing, such as the Segway-Ninebot Max G2.
Level
Entry-Level
Mid-Range
Top of the Line
Model
Apollo Air
Segway Max G2
Segway P65
Photo
Speed
34 kph
32 kph
25 kph
Price
$1,499
$1,699
$1,999
Experienced Riders
You’ve got a lot of flexibility for experienced riders, as they already know how to safely ride e-scooters. Generally, they want more power, faster speeds, and a greater number of features.
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Average Top Speeds: You’ll be looking for above average speeds 45-60 kph. Keep in mind that some local authorities may understandably have issues with this, so make sure the rider knows their local riding laws.
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Technology: Electronic brakes, app integration, lighting, suspension, improved tyres—these are all reasonably new technology for electric scooters, and are quickly becoming standard.
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Brakes: Experienced riders are naturally more comfortable behind the handlebars, so they’ll likely push the scooter a little harder than other riders. Because of this, look for disc brakes (mechanical or hydraulic) to ensure they can stop safely.
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Motor Power: To produce the speeds listed above, you’ll generally need to look for scooters with total motor power of between 1,000-2,000W. This does mean you’ll be looking at dual motor electric scooters, which supply more power, have superior hill climb ability, and can generally support more weight.
Level
Entry-Level
Mid-Range
Top of the Line
Product Name
Apollo City Pro
Inokim OX
Super
Inokim OXO
Photo
Speed
51 kph
50 kph
65 kph
Price
$2,699
$2,399
$3,399
Commuters
Commuters land somewhere between the ‘First Time’ and ‘Experienced Rider’ categories. Here’s what you should consider when buying a commuter e-scooter for someone else.
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Law Abiding Top Speed: By their very nature, commuters will end up in populated areas, whether that be train stations, city centres, or bustling streets. This does, unfortunately, mean a greater chance of running into the long arm of the law. Slower e-scooters are less likely to draw the wrong sort of attention, but they are also safer to use around pedestrians and traffic as they are easier to control.
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Lightweight: Commuters are more likely to use trains, trams, and buses to get around town. For this reason, stick with an e-scooter around the 20kg mark. They are easy to collapse down and carry around.
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Security: There’s a greater chance of commuter e-scooters being left unattended, so consider whether the e-scooter has any sort of anti-theft measures. This can come in the form of keys, app integration, or NFC (Near-Field Communication) functions that will only allow a scooter to turn on if the owner’s phone is nearby.
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Suspension: Potholes, drains, kerbs, and small obstacles all present hazards for commuter e-scooters, so choose something with at least front suspension. This gives greater control over obstacles, and creates a more comfortable ride.
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Lights: Any e-scooter that will spend a good deal of time around traffic should have lights. You’ll need front & rear lights, and where possible, indicators.
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Higher Rider Weight: Commuters may carry bags, briefcases, & various accessories that add weight to the ride. Consider buying something that can handle more than 100 kg in weight, even if the commuter for whom you’re buying weighs less than that.
Level
Entry-Level
Mid-Range
Top of the Line
Product Name
Segway MAX G2
Inokim Quick 4
Segway P100SE
Photo
Range
70 km
71 km
100 km
Price
$1,699
$2,199
$2,799
Adrenaline Junkies
If you’re buying an e-scooter for someone that loves thrills, then you’ll be looking towards the ludicrous range of electric scooters. Here’s what to expect:
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Average Top Speeds: Ludicrous e-scooters are fast, reaching speeds of between 60 to over 100kph. You should consider only buying this type of e-scooter if the rider has somewhere legal to use it, as going that fast anywhere in public is guaranteed to be illegal.
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Full Suspension: Ludicrous e-scooter riders put their rides through their paces, and that usually means uneven terrain, loose surfaces, and lots of shocks. Go for spring or hydraulic suspension on front & rear wheels.
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Brakes: Fast speeds need equally fast braking, so choose hydraulic disc brakes when necessary, and if they aren’t available, mechanical disc brakes.
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Range: Adrenaline junkies will generally have areas to which they travel in order to do whatever it is they want to do, which means they’ll often end up far from home without a power source. Stick to electric rides that can travel at least 60km on a single charge.
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Portability: Ludicrous e-scooters are heavy, and take up a lot of space. Make sure your chosen adrenaline junkie has a way of moving the e-scooter around when it isn’t being ridden.
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Availability of Spare Parts: Due to the way they are ridden, accidents are more common among ludicrous e-scooters. While they are built better than most other rides, accidents cause damage, so it’s best to make sure there is a healthy supply of not only spare parts for these rides, but also that there is somewhere local capable of fitting those spares.
Level
Entry-Level
Mid-Range
Top of the Line
Product Name
Apollo
Phantom V3
Apollo Pro
Segway GT2
Photo
Speed
66 kph
70 kph
70 kph
Price
$3,199
$5,999
$6,499
Any Questions? Ask the Experts?
This guide gives advice of a general nature, and each e-scooter is as unique as its rider. If you have any questions, or need some assistance in choosing the best e-scooter for you or for someone else, sometimes it’s best to give us a call. Our e-scooter specialists know electric scooters inside and out, so they’re the best people to call when you need to make sure you get the right e-scooter for the right job.
Give us a call on 1300 054 257 to get in touch today.
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