The Best Electric Scooter of 2023

10 Best Electric Scooter

What is an electric scooter?

Electric scooters have been around for many decades, but it is only in recent years that they have gained widespread acceptance thanks to their powerful rechargeable batteries. In terms of both dynamic acceleration and range, modern electric scooters outperform their ancestors by far. Durable lithium-ion batteries in combination with powerful three-phase AC motors ensure that driving pleasure is not neglected. In view of its high environmental compatibility, the demand for electric scooters will increase over the next few years. This means that the buyer of an electric scooter can enjoy a much lower loss in value of his electric scooter than a motor scooter.

Conventional scooters and electric scooters have a common concept. In contrast to motorcycles, the wheels of a scooter are guided by relatively short wings. The motor is hidden in a housing.

For scooters with an internal combustion engine, the transmission block or variator is usually directly coupled to the rear axle. In many electric scooters, too, the electric motor sits directly on the rear axle. On other models, the motor is positioned at the pivot of the rear swing arm and drives the rear wheel via toothed belt.

The frame of the traditionally designed scooter consists of a platform with open access. In electric scooters in the classic Vespa design, the driver is protected from wind and wetness by a cantilevered metal apron. Other electrically powered scooters deviate from this design and follow a different concept. By skillful arrangement of all components, an electric scooter can also be folded.

In addition to many functional advantages, an electric scooter convinces with a great fun factor. The environmentally friendly electric scooter radiates a lifestyle and certifies its driver an innovative and open-minded character.

In addition to electric scooters, there are a number of other electrically powered two-wheelers. Pedelecs, e-bikes and e-trikes are also electrically powered. The transitions between an electric scooter and other electrically powered two-wheelers and tricycles are sometimes fluid. Electric trikes are usually based on the technology of electric scooters and are an option for people who feel safer on three wheels than on a two-wheeler.

The smallest electric scooters have a power of 0.5 kW. The most powerful electric scooters have a rated output of 11 kW. A powerful electric motor provides more power for transporting the driver and luggage, but also requires powerful batteries. Which performance is reasonable and sufficient for your own purposes depends on the field of application of the electric scooter and on the parameters of the environment to be used.

In the lowlands, a low-powered model can also be easily rolled up. However, due to the different type of power output and the continuously high torque, it is not possible to compare the power directly with conventionally powered two-wheelers.

The 11 kW BMW C Evolution Roller accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.2 seconds. In comparison, the equally powerful Yamaha YZF R 125 takes 15.7 seconds to reach the 100 km/h mark. Both models have a top speed of 120 kmh.
In general, electric scooters can be assumed to have a better acceleration and a more powerful traction than scooters with an internal combustion engine of the same power.

When it comes to consumption, the electric scooters only account for the cost of electricity and the purchase costs for new batteries. In addition, as with scooters, the costs for the insurance registration number and, if applicable, the motor vehicle tax must also be taken into account.
The owner of an electric scooter is considerably cheaper when it comes to maintenance and repair costs, as many parts of an electric scooter are maintenance-free and have a long service life.

How does an electric scooter work?

The drive unit of an electric scooter consists of three modules: the battery, the controller and the electric motor. The battery is equivalent to the fuel tank of a scooter, only the fuel flows in the electric scooter in the form of electrical energy. The controller controls the engine and adjusts the rpm required by the driver. The electric motor installed near the rear wheel or at the height of the swing arm transmits the energy to the rear wheel. Power is transmitted directly, by toothed belt or chain.

The energy storage devices used for Elektro Scooter consist of interconnected accumulator cells. This compound is called a traction battery. A traction battery has a significantly higher capacity than a battery used for other electrical appliances. These batteries are developed for specific mobile applications such as electric cars and electric scooters.

The weight of the batteries in small electric scooters can be half the empty weight. A lead gel battery can weigh up to 40 kg on a scooter. Modern lithium-ion batteries are not only more powerful, but weigh less than half the weight of lead batteries.
Owners of small electric scooters with lead-acid rechargeable batteries who want to increase performance in a simple way should therefore switch to lithium-ion batteries. The significantly lower weight and higher power density of lithium-ion batteries increase driving pleasure and range.

More and more manufacturers are discovering the advantage of removable batteries and equipping their new scooter models with portable battery packs. Since in urban areas not every driver of an electric scooter has the possibility to charge the electric scooter at ground level in his own house or in his own garage, the advantage of portable batteries is obvious. Due to their low weight, lithium-ion batteries can be easily carried into your own home and connected to the domestic power socket. Some manufacturers offer transport bags with shoulder straps to match the batteries.

When charging the scooter at a recharging station, the scooter is connected via the charging cable. The operators of charging stations do not have any cables, so the Scooter driver must carry the charging cable.

The charging cable socket is usually located in the area of the scooter’s seat. Refer to the manufacturer’s operating instructions. In contrast to filling a scooter with an internal combustion engine, charging at a charging station can take several hours. During charging, the scooter often remains unobserved.

Nevertheless, there is no need to fear theft of the charging cable. A fuse attached to the charging station secures the charging cable and prevents theft. Since a charging cable to a thief is not very attractive due to its model-specific design, theft of charging cables is rare. It goes without saying that the electric scooter must also be secured against theft during charging with a solid lock.

Neither lead-acid batteries nor lithium-ion batteries have a memory effect. This means that the batteries can be easily recharged even after partial discharge. A permanently slightly reduced state of charge even increases the service life of the batteries.
On the other hand, complete discharge is to be avoided, as the cells of lithium-ion batteries are destroyed by deep discharge. A lithium-ion battery should never be run out of power. This type of battery is most effective when the state of charge is between 20% and 80%.

If lithium-ion batteries are stored and not used for a longer period of time, they must be charged every three to four months. Lithium-ion batteries should not be bought in stock as they will age prematurely.

The controller or the control unit is in the case of the electric scooter what the injection is in the case of the internal combustion engine. Turning the throttle handle of the electric scooter sends an electrical impulse to the controller of the scooter. The controller converts the received signals into control commands for the electric motor. The control unit can heat up considerably during operation, which is why it usually has cooling fins and is mounted at a place in the scooter that is covered with wind.

Modern electric scooters are driven by a brushless electric motor. These motors work very wear-free and maintenance-free. The other components of an electric drive also require little maintenance and are comparatively fail-safe. Since oiling and soot cannot occur in an electric motor, wear and tear is limited even after a long service life.

Advantages and applications

An electric scooter can be used to park in the city centre directly in front of a shop or café. Although all two-wheelers share this advantage, conventional scooters are unpleasantly noticeable due to engine noise and exhaust fumes. The environmentally friendly appearance of an electric scooter is better received at the restaurant or cinema.

Compared to a scooter, an electric scooter delivers its power uniformly and at all speeds with full torque. This results in favourable acceleration values, which are particularly useful in the inner-city area. Both in terms of consumption and maintenance, electric scooters are considerably cheaper than scooters, but they also have a slightly higher purchase price.

As with other vehicles, many small repairs and maintenance work can also be carried out independently with electric scooters. However, a number of maintenance tasks that have to be carried out regularly on a scooter with a conventional drive are no longer necessary for the electric scooter. These include oil changes, the replacement of spark plugs, air filters and V-belts, the adjustment of valves and, in the case of two-stroke engines without separate lubrication, the preparation of the mixture.

The chassis parts of an electric scooter are mostly identical to a scooter. The prices for brake pads, tyres and shock absorbers are the same as those for spare parts for scooters.

The drive unit of an electric scooter is largely maintenance-free. Before repair work is carried out by a repair company, it must be clarified whether it is an authorised workshop and whether there is expertise in the repair of electric vehicles. In case of doubt, always contact the manufacturer. They can provide information on which service workshops are connected and where repairs can be carried out professionally on the electric scooter.

The manufacturer also knows which sales partners have spare parts for their own electric scooters in stock. Overall, the maintenance of an electric scooter is simpler and less complicated than that of a scooter. Warranties and claims issued by the manufacturer should be safeguarded by keeping a checkbook.

Electric scooters of past decades were relatively inefficient in performance and had to fit even before small climbs. Modern electric scooters can also cope with roads with a gradient of 20%, some even manage 25%. This means that quiet electric scooters are also suitable for residents in low mountain areas.

In many electric scooters, a boost mode allows for a brief increase in performance. Those who live in a hilly environment will benefit from an electric scooter with recuperation. With this technology, the braking energy is used to charge the energy accumulator and thus increases the range.

The high energy density and light weight of lithium-ion batteries makes this battery type the first choice for a weight-sensitive vehicle such as an electric scooter. In addition to the greater range offered by lithium-ion batteries, they also have a one-third longer service life than conventional lead-acid batteries.

In contrast to conventional scooters, many electric scooters have reverse gear. With an electric scooter, reverse gear can be implemented without design effort and at low cost. Reverse gear makes it easier to manoeuvre in confined spaces and is perceived by many scooter drivers as a pleasant feature.

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