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Electric scooter: how to choose and what to know

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An electric scooter is a road vehicle that is a kind of personal vehicle. The electric scooter is designed for use by one person, the weight of which must comply with the allowable standards declared by the manufacturer.

The electric scooter looks like an ordinary scooter. The main difference lies in the presence of a battery and an electric motor, which provide free movement on electric vehicles.

Such personal transport is a convenient, practical and ecological means of transportation. An electric scooter will be especially useful for travelers whose route can be unpredictable. It is only important to remember the need to charge the battery and the available distance on a single charge.

Electric scooter: how to choose and what to know

Why is an electric scooter needed?

Electric scooters are great for commuting to work, school, home and other various activities. Electric scooters allow you to enjoy the movement around the city, avoiding stuffy traffic jams and crowded public transport. At the same time, such a trip will allow you to breathe fresh air, passing through the green areas of the parks.

How does an electric scooter work?

The basic principle of the electric scooter is the driving force. The energy of the battery allows you to drive the electric motor, which is responsible for the process of movement.

Increasing and decreasing speeds also have their own requirements, for which the accelerator handles are responsible. From it, in turn, a signal is sent to the controller, which sets the mode for the full operation of the electric motor.

Features of the design of the electric scooter

The design of an electric scooter is not complicated. Its main elements are:

  • Scooter steering wheel with brake and gas levers provided.
  • A display that shows all the necessary information.
  • Steering column with comfortable height adjustment.
  • Platform (deck) for placing the user's feet.
  • Wheels covered with special fenders.

The electric scooter itself can be solid or foldable.

One-piece scooters have a monolithic frame, are more stable on the road and are easy to manage. Scooters of this design are very silent, but the provision of storage and transportation can cause certain difficulties and inconveniences.

Folding electric scooters - designed for a movable way to connect the steering wheel and the lower part - the platform of the scooter. It is much easier to store and transport this type of folded electric scooter.

Electric scooter: how to choose and what to know

Advantages and disadvantages of an electric scooter

The advantages of electric transport include:

  • Compactness. Modern scooters can be with a folding or semi-folding design, which ensures its easy transportation. When folded, scooters do not take up much space.
  • An electric scooter is such a free means of transportation that allows you to crush traffic jams of any complexity and move even on streets where cars and motorcycles cannot pass.
  • The light weight of modern scooters averages 15-20 kg, which allows the user to lift it, bring it into the room or move it over the curb.
  • Powered by a simple outlet, which is enough to charge the vehicle. It will take 6 hours on average to fully charge the battery. You can charge such a vehicle at work during the day or at night while the user is sleeping.
  • The ability to move with a dead battery allows you to use an electric scooter as a normal one.
  • Electric transport is environmentally friendly, does not emit harmful substances for people and nature when traveling, and also does not emit unpleasant fuel odors on the street and indoors.
  • Long-distance travel can reach up to 20 kilometers, which is quite enough for use in the city.
  • Driving electric vehicles does not require special permits or driver's licenses. Given the fact that the law does not yet equate the electric scooter with bicycle and moped transport, this makes it possible to legally move on it along pedestrian zones, sidewalks, as well as in shopping centers.
  • For maintenance of electric transport, independent intervention or diagnostics of the service center master will be sufficient.

In addition to the advantages, an electric scooter also has a couple of disadvantages that you need to consider when buying:

  • Seasons force car drivers to change tires at a certain period. Unfortunately, this cannot be done with scooters, and it is quite unpleasant to move in the winter in snow and frosty air. Therefore, an electric scooter is an excellent type of personal transport, suitable for the beginning of spring and before the onset of autumn torrential, including the first frosts.
  • Protection against theft of an electric scooter can only be performed using a special lock that is fixed on the brake disc. Therefore, many users are afraid to leave their vehicles unattended while visiting a supermarket, pharmacy or coffee shop.

How to choose the best electric scooter online and is it possible?

Before buying an electric scooter, it is important to determine the features of a particular model and pay attention to them:

  1. Power reserve is a parameter that determines the distance that an electric scooter can travel when the battery is 100% charged. Depending on the model, the distance on one battery charge can reach 8-90 kilometers. Budget electric scooters can reach a distance of 30-40 km, children's models - from 15 to 20 km, and expensive electric scooter models - from 70 to 90 km.
  2. Climb angle is an important parameter indicating the ability of an electric scooter to cope with various ascents and descents. The angle of elevation is 7-350 degrees.
  3. Clearance (ground clearance) - a parameter that determines the distance from the lowest point of the deck to the ground. The higher the clearance parameter, the more optimal cross-country ability, which provides full ride comfort on rough roads.
  4. The time for recharging the battery can be either 2 hours or 10 hours. Only children's electric scooters can have the shortest charging time.

Before choosing an electric scooter for yourself or as a gift to relatives, friends, relatives, it is important to foresee the potential difficulties associated with the comfort of movement and control. Electric transport must meet the requirements and fit the user in terms of height, leg size and weight category.

Therefore, it is important to check the width of the platform, the presence of a non-slip surface, as well as the practical steering wheel adjustment (up to the maximum height) before buying.

Is it possible to buy an electric scooter by placing an order on the Internet? Yes, ordering an electric scooter in the modern world is quite acceptable. Many users claim that they are more comfortable buying such a thing in offline stores, where they can touch the product, test its characteristics and capabilities on the spot.

Given the modern Internet space, you can choose a good electric scooter on the Internet. The order can be placed by cash on delivery or courier delivery, which allows you to check the product and consider it.

Criteria for choosing an electric scooter

Before buying a personal vehicle, you should also pay attention to the following additional criteria that will ensure convenience and comfort from use.

User definition

An electric scooter can be chosen for adults and children, so it is important to understand the key differences between the models. Today, there are many interesting options for electric scooter models for use by children, teenagers and adults.

It is important to determine the age that allows you to use a personal vehicle.

Children's models of scooters are allowed to be used by children from 7-8 years old, under the strict supervision of their parents.

Electric scooter: how to choose and what to know

Scope of use and wheel diameter

Electric scooters are mainly purchased for one purpose - to move around the city, bypassing traffic jams. As mentioned above, a very important criterion for a scooter is the distance from the deck to the ground, as well as the possible presence of a suspension.

Some electric scooters may be ideal only for smooth roads, while others are ideal for off-road use. It is important to take into account such a criterion as the diameter of the wheels of electric vehicles: 7 inches will allow you to ride on smooth roads, 7-9 inches on rather bumpy, uneven roads, and from 10 inches they will do an excellent job of moving along the most broken streets or in forests.

Electric scooter battery capacity

An electric scooter may have:

  • The capacity is 4000 mAh, which is able to provide a mileage of 8 to 10 kilometers on a journey with an average user weight.
  • Capacity 8000 mAh - provides a path of 14-15 kilometers.
  • 12000 mAh, in turn, provides the opportunity for a run on the road from 24 to 26 kilometers.

Optimum Power

Considering the purchase of an electric scooter for girls or teenagers, we recommend paying attention to the power up to 250 watts. For men - from 250 watts.

The higher the power of the electric motor built into the wheel, the faster acceleration will be performed and more traction for climbing uphill. For people weighing over 90 kilograms, this will be a suitable option. Therefore, for a lighter weight of a person, sufficient power is 250 watts.

Electric scooter and user weight

The average electric scooter has a weight of 13 kilograms, and the wheels are 8 inches. The larger the diameter of the wheels, the more powerful the battery must be, respectively, these factors can double the weight of an electric scooter.

Example:

  1. A scooter with a wheel diameter of 8 inches and a battery with a capacity of 12000 mAh has a weight of 13 kg.
  2. Scooter with 10 inch wheels: Battery = 18000 mAh, weight between 25 and 28 kg.

The optimal solution for users whose weight is more than 80 kg is a powerful electric motor - 350-500 W.

Braking system of electric scooter

Many models of electric scooters are equipped with a dual braking system (electronic and systemic).

The electronic system is designed to recharge the scooter during braking. Electronic brakes are capable of:

  • Ensure the comfort of movement on crowded streets.
  • Maintain a safe speed level, especially when going downhill.

Mechanical brakes are presented in the form of a classic scheme: the rear wheel provides the possibility of braking. Such a system is relevant for powerful models of electric scooters.

Electric scooter: how to choose and what to know

Speed

The speed of modern scooters can be from 10 to 100 kilometers per hour. The average speed for most models is up to 30 kilometers per hour, which provides a pleasant and comfortable ride.

Safety

The safety criterion when choosing an electric scooter of sufficient power is paramount and extremely important.

It is recommended to pay attention to the following indicators:

  • It is important to ensure that reflectors are provided on electric scooters.
  • You need to choose an electric scooter with a drum brake, which has internal functionality. There should be a control knob on the left side of the steering wheel. In this case, braking will be soft, compared to disc brakes, which can easily break or become clogged with dirt.
  • Be aware of the means to protect the user, which include: helmet, knee pads and elbow pads. Scooters that accelerate to 25 km / h are very powerful and fast, which can lead to unforeseen situations on the roads in the absence of equipment at all.

Electric scooter motor drive type

One of the wheels of an electric scooter, rear or front, is most often the leading one. The motor can be of two types: separate motors with a chain drive and a wheel-motor:

  • Chain drive in the wheel - the motor is connected by a chain to the wheel or belt.
  • Wheel-motor - the motor itself is installed inside the wheel. This type of drive is better than the chain version, while the motorized wheels do not make noise, last longer and are more powerful.

Difficulties in choosing an electric scooter

Choosing an electric scooter may seem like a rather complicated process. But if you understand what important points you should rely on before buying, then there is an understanding.

For example, we have prepared a review of the TOP product Gelius Effort Pro from the Ukrainian brand Gelius, which corresponds to the above parameters and recommendations.

  • This electric scooter model is safe, comfortable and practical, the scooter allows you to quickly move to any place in the city.
  • An electric scooter can reach a speed of 25 kilometers per hour. For a full charge, 4-5 hours will be enough, since the battery is - 36V, 10.4 Ah.
  • Gelius Effort Pro weighs only 17 kg and folds in a few seconds, without taking up much space in an office or apartment.
  • The scooter has nylon tires filled with polyurethane foam.
  • The electric scooter has a practical steering wheel with comfortable handles, a wide platform for a comfortable position, as well as a cruise control mode.
  • The scooter has a modernized headlight and soft light elements for an evening trip around the city.

A more detailed review is available on the YouTube channel of the Gelius brand.

5 useful tips for using an electric scooter

1. Age

As mentioned above, even a young user can control an electric scooter. The allowable age for driving children's models is 7-8 years old, only under the supervision of parents. A driver's license and documents are not required to drive an electric scooter.

2. Protection against theft or how to properly park an electric scooter

One of the most pleasant qualities of an electric scooter is its light weight and compactness, which allow you to fold it and carry it. To protect against theft, you can consider a special lock that is fixed on the brake disc of the scooter. It is recommended not to leave the electric scooter unattended for a long time.

3. Roads for movement

In Ukraine, it is recommended to ride an electric scooter on special bike paths. If they are absent, then you can drive along the edge of the carriageway, roadside or street.

4. Equipment

For the safety of an adult and a child, it is recommended to remember about the protective equipment that will become an airbag in case of falls or collisions: a helmet for the head, elbow pads and additional protection for the wrists, knee pads and other accessories.

5. Operation

An electric scooter is a personal vehicle, so it is important to read the instruction manual before your first ride. To care for an electric scooter, it is necessary to lubricate certain elements, tighten the brake bolts, take into account movement in wet weather. Before buying, you must take into account all these points and consult with a store representative.

Electric scooter: how to choose and what to know

Conclusion

An electric scooter is an amazing solution for modern people who need to move around the city. You can choose a device online by checking its capabilities upon delivery.

Self-reviews are always useful for general understanding and familiarization with smart gadgets and electric scooters. Available information on the Internet allows users to make the right and easy choice. But it should be remembered that manufacturers must necessarily provide a quality guarantee, as well as replacement parts in case of such a need.

On the website of the Ukrainian brand Gelius, you can find high-quality electric scooters that meet all the important requirements and needs of the user.