How Far Can Electric Scooters Go?

The biggest reason that people consider before buying an electric scooter is the range. You want to know that how far you can travel on an electric scooter.

The range of an electric scooter depends on several factors, such as weight of the rider, speed, battery, type of terrain, and the scooter’s model. On average, the range of an e-scooter varies between 6 and 25 miles.

• Also Read: Make Your Electric Scooter Faster?
• Also Read: One-Wheel Electric Scooter

A few years ago, no one thought electric scooters would become a key mode of transportation, especially among adults. Most people thought e-scooters are not more than toys for kids.

Now, things have changed because electric scooters have become the most realistic mode of transportation, especially in crowded cities. It is small, foldable, and lightweight.
It enables you to get to work in a short time because you can avoid traffic jams or get to the nearest public transport station.

In this article, we will explore how much you can travel on an electric scooter whether you use it for a full ride or last mile. We will also discuss how to improve the range of your e-scooter.

You must be thinking that carrying the charger with you can solve this problem because it is small and weighs less than a pound. Why do it when you have enough power for the whole day?

As you know, the power range and price for electric scooters go hand-in-hand. This is obvious from the specs of e-scooters available on Amazon’s website.

This notion is not completely true because if you carefully look at the specs, you notice that the price of the e-scooter depends on its battery power.

Factors that Determine Electric Scooter Range

Following are 11 factors that determine the range of electric scooters:

Power Terrain

Power train is one of the most important factors that is behind the power range of an electric scooter. It is that mechanism which produces power and provides it to the wheels of your e-scooter.
Keep in mind that all other factors have their own importance, but power train is the most important one.

The power train of an e-scooter consists of the following parts: controller, battery, and engine. We will briefly explain the role of each of them.

Engine

The engine or electric motor is that part of the e-scooter which transforms electric energy stored in the battery into mechanical energy. This mechanical energy then rotates the scooter’s wheels.

 In most electric scooters, there is only one electric motor that is mounted on one wheel. It is enough to propel the rider in the forward direction at reasonable speed. 

There is a metal case that is covering motor or electric engine mounted on the wheel. The cover protects the motor from water and dust. 

Power rating is the most important characteristic of an electric motor. The low value of power rating means the motor is highly energy efficient. You can use this value to compare similar electric scooters, but most manufacturers do not provide it.

Battery

An electric scooter’s battery is considered as the most important factor of its power range. It is because of the price of battery that most e-scooters don’t have a long range.

Lithium-ion batteries are the best for electric scooters because they are powerful and lightweight. However, lithium-ion batteries are expensive.

Batteries have two technical characteristics that you should know:

Battery Energy Rating

If this value is high, you will get a long range.

Energy ratings of most lithium-ion batteries are high.

Battery Discharge Rate

The battery discharge rate or C-rate is the rate at which the battery loses its charge relative to the battery’s maximum capacity. If the value of C-rate is 1, it means the entire battery will discharge the current in one hour.

Most batteries have a value of C-5 or C-10. 

Controller of Engine

The controller of an engine controls the amount of power that the engine gets. It consists of an internal circuit and software that takes into account different parameters, such as battery level, power consumed at that time, temperature, and acceleration.

You cannot do much about it because you cannot differentiate two electric scooters based on their controllers.

The major role of a controller is to limit the maximum power that the electric motor receives from the battery. This ultimately affects the speed of the e-scooter.

Temperature

Temperature does not directly affect the range of an electric scooter, but it does affect the battery. In winter, you find it hard to start a car because the battery is cold, and the voltage gets low. The same rule applies to e-scooters. 

Cold weather reduces the range of your electric scooter up to 50%. It is because the battery in cold weather cannot provide the required energy to the motor of your e-scooter.

Aerodynamic Level

Manufacturers keep in mind the aerodynamics while designing an electric scooter, which is helpful in improving the scooter’s range. However, the wind in opposite direction and rider’s shape can reduce the effect.

Speed

You can increase the battery life of your e-scooter if you ride it at a lower speed. Most electric scooters have three riding modes, and one of them is “eco mode”, which is also called cruise control.

Riding your electric scooter in eco mode allows you to travel in lower speed, which increases the range of your scooter.

Keep in mind that most electric scooter manufacturers mention the range of the scooter in specs with an average speed of 12 miles per hour or 20 kilometers per hour.

If you ride your electric scooter at the top speed, it will decrease the range up to 30%. On the other hand, you will increase the range if you ride your e-scooter at a slow speed, but it will consume too much time.

We suggest you ride your electric scooter at a speed of 9 to 12 miles per hour. It will extend your range without consuming too much time.

Weight of the Rider

The range of an electric scooter depends on the weight of the rider. As a general rule, if you weigh 165 pounds or less, you will experience a longer range. But if you are heavier than that and plan to use an electric scooter for your commute, you may get a lower range.

More weight means you will use more power, so you will be out of range fast.

Tires

Airless tires can give you a greater power range, but they make the ride less comfortable. In contrast, air tires offer you a more comfortable ride, which makes them a good option when your electric scooter doesn’t have a suspension. 

Terrain

The impact of rough terrain on your e-scooter ride is up to 60%. On a rough terrain, your scooter will need more power to propel you forward. Your battery life will be more on a smooth road whereas it will reduce on dirt or sand.

Relief

Going uphill is not the same as going downhill on an electric scooter. Your scooter will consume a lot more power when going uphill, and it will reduce the battery life up to 69%.

Remember that most e-scooters can climb slopes up to 20%. Electric scooters with more powerful battery and motor can climb hills up to 24%.

You should never try to climb slopes that are higher than mentioned on your scooter’s manual. It can damage your battery or electric motor.

How to Improve Your Electric Scooter’s Range

Following are 6 factors that can help you improve your electric scooter’s range:

Control the Speed

You can improve your electric scooter’s range if you ride it at a speed between 9 to 12 miles per hour.

Do Not Carry Extra Weights

It will reduce your electric scooter’s range if you carry extra weights such as heavy clothes or a backpack with a laptop.

Maintain Tire Pressure

If your electric scooter has air-tires, you must maintain the tire pressure as mentioned in your user manual. Soft tires have a higher friction with the ground, which will reduce your range.

Take the Charger with You

If you need to go far or make a lot of stops, then take the charger with you. It will enable you to charge your electric scooter at work and get enough power to travel back home later that day.

Install New Bearings

If you think your scooter isn’t running smoothly, there is a high chance that your bearings are old. Consider getting a new pair of bearings. It will reduce the friction, which means you can go further with each battery charge.

Ride Without Power

Electric scooters have two different types. The first type is the one that you can use as a normal scooter when the battery has no power. The second type is the one that spins the scooter’s motor.

The major difference between these two types of electric scooters is their bearing assembly. You are a lucky person if you can ride your electric scooter like a normal scooter when there is no power. It will enable you to use your leg force to ride back to home.

Conclusion

We want you to know that the advertised or declared range of electric scooters is not the same as you will experience in real life.

We recommend you buy an electric scooter that has more range than the distance you plan to travel. It will enable you to reach your destination and save you from running out of power.  

The most expensive part of an electric scooter is its battery, and it has a direct effect on the scooter’s range. If you want an electric scooter with high range, you will need to spend more money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the range of electric scooters?

The range of most electric scooters varies between 6 and 25 miles.

Which electric scooter has the longest range?

EMOVE Cruiser Dual is currently the electric scooter with the longest range. The company claims that it gives you a range up to 62 miles under normal conditions.

NANROBOT RS2 has the second place, and the company claims that it will give you a range up to 45 miles under normal conditions.

You can also find several e-scooters that offer you a range up to 40 miles. However, all of them are expensive scooters. This is because the range of an electric scooter depends on its battery life, and batteries with longer life are very expensive. 

Which electric scooter has the lowest range?

There are also electric scooters with the lowest range, and brands advertise their price because they are cheap. Pulse Performance Electric Scooter is currently the e-scooter with the lowest range, and it offers you 45 minutes of continuous ride. It has a top speed of only 8 miles per hour.

What factors affect the range of electric scooters?

The range of an electric scooter depends on several factors, such as weight of the rider, speed, battery, type of terrain, and the scooter’s model.

How can I improve my electric scooter’s range?

You can improve the range of your electric scooter if you ride it in “eco mode” that has a speed between 9 to 12 miles per hour. You can also improve the range if you do not carry extra weight during the ride and maintain tire pressure in case your e-scooter has air tires.