Nowadays, electric scooters are becoming more and more popular as a low-carbon and environmentally friendly green travel tool. It can not only reduce the pollution of the environment, but also conveniently and quickly solve the problem of short-distance traveling. However, with electric scooters costing hundreds of dollars, buying one is still a considerable investment. In this blog, we will explore whether buying an electric scooter is worth it and some of the factors that should be considered.
What Is an Electric Scooter?
Electric scooters are vehicles that are based on traditional scooters and equipped with power kits. Electric scooters are generally divided into dual motor electric scooter or single motor electric scooter. The most common transmission methods are: hub motor (HUB) and belt drive. The main power source is a lithium battery pack.
Smart electric scooters are products that integrate computer technology, automation technology, microelectronics technology, network information data processing, GPS positioning technology, human-computer interaction and other intelligent technologies with the development of AI technology.
In the shared micro-travel market, electric scooters and bikes are the two mainstream transportation tools, they can better meet the public’s short-distance travel and public transportation transfers, and effectively solve the “last kilometer” demand of urban transportation. Compared with bikes, scooters occupy a small area, are electric and labor-saving, are friendly to women when used, require lower riding skills, and have a wide range of application scenarios.
In addition to meeting the daily short-distance travel needs of most people, electric foldable scooter can be stored in the trunk and paired with a car or subway to travel the last kilometer, becoming one of the travel options for white-collar office workers.
Electric Scooters vs. Other Transportation
As you can see from the brief introduction above, both electric scooters and bicycles have a place in the micro-mobility market as a complementary solution to public transportation for the “last mile” distance. Of course, by owning an electric scooter or bicycle, you can travel short distances from one place to another without relying on large transportation. Especially, electric scooters also don’t require any effort on your part, and you can ride while standing/sitting.
Therefore, is it worth it to purchase an electric scooter of your own?
There are a lot of factors to consider in this question, the current mainstream public transportation is as follows, through the chart below, you can visualize how electric scooters compare with fuel vehicles, public transportation, and bicycles, so that you can do it in your mind.
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Vehicle Type
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Electric Scooter
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Bicycle
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Fuel Motorcycle
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Public Transportation
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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Images
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
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Charging/Fuel Costs
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Average battery life is 500 WH, costing about $2 to $3 per month.
|
None
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Fuel + time cost to get to gas station
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None
|
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Maintenance costs
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Fewer moving parts and lower maintenance costs
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Replacement parts
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Oil changes and maintenance, regular oil changes, engine tune-ups
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None
|
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Insurance Fee
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Low
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None
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High
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None
|
|
Parking, transportation costs
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None
|
None
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Parking fee
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Transportation cost
|
|
Tax Credits & Incentives
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Tax credits, rebates or other incentives available
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None
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None
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None
|
|
Flexibility
|
High
|
High
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General
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Poor
|
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Time-consuming
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Short
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Long
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General
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Long
|
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Portability
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High
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General
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Poor
|
Poor
|
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Speed
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Average speed, usually limited to 20MPH, good for commuting
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Average speed, usually within 10MPH-20MPH, suitable for commuting
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Fast speeds, typically up to 50MPH
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Fast, the subway travels at about 55 MPH, making it by far the fastest and most efficient way to travel long distances.
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Distance Impact
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Low distance impact, typical range up to 20 miles
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High, depending on your stamina
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Low, typical range up to 300 miles
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Low, well-developed subway lines
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Comfort
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Highly comfortable, some electric scooters with seats
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General
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High
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General
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Costs
The initial purchase price of an electric scooter is an important factor to consider. Electric scooters vary in price, with the cheapest options costing several hundred dollars. However, it is important to remember that even if the upfront cost seems high, the long-term savings can offset this initial cost. Let’s take a look at the costing.
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Electric Scooter
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Walking
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Bicycle
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Car
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Subway
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Upfront Cost
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$400+
|
$0
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$400+
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$600/month
(Loan $450/month + Insurance $150/month)
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(US) $127/month, monthly pass gives you unlimited rides for 30 days.
|
|
Fuel Cost
|
$0
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$0
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$0
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$50/Month
|
$0
|
|
Charging Cost
|
(US) Off-peak $0.02, peak $0.07, $2.1 per month
|
$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
|
Maintenance Cost
|
$10/Month
|
$0
|
$0
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$50/Month
|
$0
|
|
Parking Cost
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$0
|
$0
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$0
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$300/Month
|
$0
|
P.S. Charging costs by country (example of an electric scooter with a battery capacity of about 500 Wh)
How to calculate the charging time?
First, you need to know the charging speed of the charger. In general, the power of a charger is usually expressed in Watts (W).
Assuming that your charger has a power of 100W, the time required to fully charge a 500Wh battery can be calculated by the following formula:
Charging time (hours) = Battery capacity (Wh) / Charger power (W)
Therefore, 500Wh / 100W = 5 hours, i.e. it takes 5 hours to fully charge.
|
Country
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Charging costs (off-peak $)
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Charging costs (peak $)
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Monthly charging costs
(peak $)
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|---|---|---|---|
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U.S
|
0.02
|
0.07
|
2.1
|
|
Canada
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0.04
|
0.05
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1.5
|
|
Mexico
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0.04
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0.04
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1.2
|
|
UK
|
0.11
|
0.13
|
3.9
|
|
German
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0.06
|
0.17
|
5.1
|
|
France
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0.06
|
0.10
|
3
|
|
Netherlands
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0.12
|
0.12
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3.6
|
|
Argentina
|
0.10
|
0.15
|
4.5
|
|
Italy
|
0.13
|
0.13
|
3.9
|
Overall, as a “last-mile solution”, e-scooters are flexible and can be brought into subways and buses, and are subsidized, making them ideal for short-distance travel. Although you may need to invest a certain amount of money to buy an electric scooter in the beginning, the maintenance cost of an electric scooter is much lower than that of a car.
Additionally, using an electric scooter can also save you money on transportation costs because you don’t need to buy gas or pay for public transportation.
Pros and Cons of Electric Scooters
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Pros
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Cons
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|---|---|
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Environmental protection: in line with the trend of low-carbon travel.
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Compliance: the vast majority of countries do not yet have well-developed laws and regulations.
|
|
Save money: the big head is on the purchase cost, which can be paid back soon.
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Speed: slower than traditional transportation.
|
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Parking: portable design, easy to carry and store.
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Carrying people: can only support single riders, can not carry people.
|
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Flexibility: flexible, easy to travel, no blockage.
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Range: short range, does not support long distance travel on a single charge.
|
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Convenient: park as you go, suitable for loitering.
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Climate: bad weather conditions are not suitable for riding.
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By understanding the above pros and cons, it will better help you determine if it is worth buying an electric scooter.
Purchase or Rent an Electric Scooter
Some users who live in California, New York, Washington and other big cities, shared electric scooters are not new to them, but there are also some areas that do not popularize electric scooters, so do you choose to rent or buy electric scooters?
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Rent
|
Purchase
|
|
|---|---|---|
 |
|
|
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Definition
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Getting the right to ride a particular electric scooter by spending a few dollars per ride.
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Get lifetime access to a motorized scooter through purchase.
|
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Availability
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Rental electric scooters are available in some areas.
|
High
|
|
Service Area
|
Limited
|
Extensive
|
|
Operating Hours
|
Limited
|
Unlimited
|
|
Maintenance
|
Rental companies offer
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Self-maintenance
|
|
Initial Cost
|
Lower
|
Higher
|
|
Hourly/Daily Rate
|
Rental rates are around $0.39 per minute or $29.99 per day.
|
At least a few hundred dollars.
|
|
Applicable People
|
Low frequency of use
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Frequent daily use
|
Through comparison, it can be seen that rental electric scooter services are not available in all areas, only in some areas. And users who use frequently on a daily basis are more suitable to buy an electric scooter. Users with low frequency of use who are traveling outside and need it occasionally can choose to rent an electric scooter.
Gift Attributes
For Family
Buying an electric scooter for a family member is a thoughtful choice.
Electric scooters not only bring fun and freshness, but also enhance the quality of life of your family.
It can be used as a convenient means of transportation so that your family can travel more easily and save time and energy. At the same time, electric scooters are also an environmentally friendly way of traveling, which helps reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment.
Giving your family an electric scooter not only expresses care and love, but also allows them to enjoy a more convenient and healthy lifestyle.
For Friends
Buying an electric scooter for a friend is a practical and stylish gift option.
Electric scooters not only help friends travel faster and save time and energy, but also allow them to feel more fun and free in the city.
Whether they are commuting to work or using them in their leisure time, electric scooters are a green way to get around and make it easier and happier for friends to move around the city.
Giving an electric scooter is not only a practical gift, but also an expression of care and concern. Let your friend enjoy more convenience and fun in his busy life!
For Child
Electric scooter is a fashionable, environmentally friendly and convenient mobility tool, which can not only add fun to children’s outdoor activities, but also exercise their balance and coordination.
Compared with traditional scooters, electric scooters do not need to rely on pedaling to promote, just a simple operation can easily move forward, so that children can experience the charm of science and technology in play. At the same time, the electric scooter also has a certain degree of safety performance, equipped with a brake system and stability control, so that parents can rest assured that their children can be safer when playing.
Therefore, choosing to buy electric scooters for children, not only can enhance the children’s outdoor activities experience, but also to develop children’s hands-on ability and independent thinking ability, is a practical and interesting gift.
FAQ
Is it difficult to ride an electric scooter?
Not difficult, I hope the following tips on riding position can help you.
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Correct Riding Position
|
Importance
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Requirements
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Benefits
|
|---|---|---|---|
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Maintain an Upright Position
|
One of the key factors in ensuring a comfortable ride on your motorized scooter is to maintain a proper upright posture.
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1. Stand straight, head up, shoulders relaxed.
2. Make sure to bend your knees slightly to absorb any bumps or shocks on the road.
3. Adjust the handlebar height of the scooter to a comfortable level so that you can maintain an upright position while riding.
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1. It helps to reduce stress on your neck, back and shoulders. It also allows you to maintain better balance and control of the scooter.
2. It will help you maintain stability and minimize discomfort.
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|
Relaxed Grip on the Handlebars
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1. Gripping the handlebars too tightly may cause discomfort and fatigue in your hands and arms.
2. Instead, maintain a relaxed but firm grip on the handlebars, allowing your hands to absorb the vibrations of the scooter without straining.
|
Remember to keep your wrists straight and avoid locking your elbows to minimize the risk of strain and injury.
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This grip will allow you to maneuver the scooter more easily and respond quickly to any changes in the riding environment.
|
|
Distributes Weight Evenly Across the Deck
|
Proper weight distribution is critical for comfort and safety when riding an electric scooter.
Requirements.
|
1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart on the deck, with one foot slightly forward and the other slightly back.
2. Ensure that your weight is evenly distributed between your feet to avoid leaning too far forward or backward.
|
1. This position provides better balance and stability while riding.
2. This even weight distribution will help you maintain control of your scooter and reduce the risk of falls or accidents.
|
|
Wear the Right Gear
|
1. Safety is always the top priority when riding an electric scooter.
2. Ensuring a comfortable ride also significantly reduces the risk of injury.
|
1. Ensure that the helmet you choose fits snugly and comfortably on your head and has properly adjusted straps to hold it in place.
2. consider wearing other motorized scooter protective equipment such as elbow and knee pads, wrist guards, and reflective clothing or accessories
3. consider purchasing ergonomic grips or gloves.
4. wear appropriate shoes with good arch support and cushioning.
|
1. Wearing a helmet is essential to protect the head from potential injury in the event of an accident.
2. Increase visibility to other road users.
3. Reduces hand fatigue and numbness caused by long rides.
4. Minimize impact on feet and joints.
|
|
Maintain the Suspension System
|
The Ausom is equipped with a dual suspension system that absorbs shock and provides a comfortable ride on a variety of terrains.
|
1. Ensure the suspension is in good condition.
2. Make adjustments to suit your weight and riding preferences.
|
Significantly affects your comfort while riding.
|
|
Long Distance Riding
|
Take breaks on long rides.
|
Stretch your legs.
|
Avoid muscle stiffness.
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Is it safe to ride an electric scooter in the rain?
It depends on the size of the rain and the waterproof ability of the scooter. It is strongly not recommended to ride in the rain without necessity, because the Hall sensor (throttle) and instrumentation are prone to water ingress, which will lead to damage to the electric scooter once water ingress occurs.
Riding an electric scooter in the rain can increase the risk of slips and falls, so we need to pay special attention to the wet conditions of the road surface and choose electric scooters with good water resistance. During use, ensure that the vehicle’s battery and circuits are not exposed to rain to prevent malfunctions. Additionally, clean and dry the vehicle promptly to avoid damage from standing water and mud. Overall, riding an electric scooter in the rain requires extra caution and care to ensure personal safety and proper vehicle operation. It’s best to enjoy the ride on sunny days and avoid unnecessary risks and hassles. May you stay safe during your rides and fully enjoy the fun of electric scooters. Happy riding!
What safety precautions should I take when using an electric scooter?
Safety is of paramount importance when riding an electric scooter. Riders should wear helmets, obey traffic laws, use designated lanes when available and pay attention to road conditions. Of course, it is also important to choose a safe and reliable electric scooter, such as having CE ROHS certification, non-slip tires and pedals, good braking system, and lighting system.
Conclusion
Before buying an electric scooter, we need to weigh the pros and cons and consider our needs and budget.
Electric scooters are a convenient and fast means of transportation that can save time and energy. However, aspects such as safety, maintenance costs and environmental impact also need to be considered.
Overall, if you need a convenient means of transportation and can afford to keep it safe and maintain it, then purchasing an electric scooter is worth it. We hope you enjoy the convenience and pleasure of using an electric scooter!
