Electric scooter – more than a scooter

An electric scooter is an environmentally friendly vehicle which is powered by powerful batteries. It is available in many variants and sizes, so that it finds its justification in all areas of daily life. Some models require a road licence and a driving licence, others are used in the health sector, for example to increase the mobility of senior citizens. A third group of electric scooters resemble the scooter of the same name for children and are used as sports equipment.

What makes an electric scooter?

These vehicles are characterised by a frame construction with foot space anchored behind it. Depending on the model, the individual models can have a seat for one or two people. To be considered an electric vehicle, an electric motor must be integrated. In contrast to a combustion engine, the electric motor has the advantage that it can be operated without fuel such as petrol or diesel and can be maintained with much less maintenance. Instead, the E-Scooter has a powerful rechargeable battery that is charged with electricity. Charging takes place either at electricity filling stations, mainly in large cities, or on the domestic electricity grid. A standard household socket with a voltage of 220 volts is sufficient for fast charging.

The different variants of electric scooters

Scooters powered by an electric motor are also called E-scooters. They are available in an estimated more than 100 different versions:
– E-scooter for road traffic, including a seat for one to two persons, depending on the model
(for example the tax-free electric scooter “Hawk” with road approval)
-slow e-scooter for road traffic, including comfortable seat for senior citizens or people with walking disabilities
(for example the ORIGINAL Invacare E-Scooter Leo for people with disabilities)
– foldable electric scooter with a bicycle saddle for one person
(for example the original MACH1 electric scooter model 6B EEC-48V/1000W)
– foldable electric scooter without a seat as a motorized scooter for one person
(for example the Razor E100 Glow Electric Scooter)
– Segway Personal standing scooter, consisting only of 2 wheels, handlebar and footboard for the feet
(for example the self-balancing electric vehicle Ninebot Mini Street (320) with road approval)
– Electric pull scooter without seat, mainly used in hobby areas

Keine Produkte gefunden.

The different type designations of the E-scooters with road approval

In Germany, e-scooters are divided into different types and EC vehicle classes.
– The lightweight moped travels at speeds of up to 20 km/h
– The moped may be driven up to a speed of 25 km/h.
Mopeds are required to wear a helmet, but a driving licence is not required. This is only required for the following larger models.
– The moped L1e has a maximum speed of 45 km/h. These mopeds may be driven from 16 years with a driving licence of category M or category B or higher.
– The light motorcycle L3e may bring 80 km/h as maximum speed on the speedometer. The A1 driving licence is required for these vehicles.
– For L3e motorcycles the rider should have at least a category A driving licence. Of course, all mopeds and motorcycles must have a helmet on German roads.

The road approval for an electric scooter

Any vehicle that is equipped with an engine requires in principle a legal approval and the appropriate marking in the form of a number plate, if it is to be used on public roads and ways. This means that even small folding scooters powered by an electric motor must be registered and approved. The situation is different if these vehicles are only used on a private site. In this case, driving these E-scooters is also permitted without road approval and license plates. Public roads and paths are also defined as squares, forests or remote areas where strangers may be present. Here the driving of electric scooters is also only permitted if it has a road licence and the driver also has a driving licence, depending on the model.

The advantages and disadvantages of electric scooters

Electric scooters allow an ecological and comfortable transport with relatively low costs and low maintenance. Especially in big cities this can be an advantage, as the parking space is often limited. E-scooters, however, have many other advantages that should not be forgotten here:
+ E-scooters produce no exhaust gases compared to vehicles with combustion engines and are therefore very environmentally friendly.
+ They are also quite quiet during operation. Noise nuisance to pedestrians and other road users is eliminated.
+ The fact that these vehicles are powered by electricity means that follow-up costs, operating costs and expenditure are very limited.
+ The maintenance of electric scooters is also quite low compared to the combustion engine. Wear parts are not available, the adjustment of carburettor etc. is not necessary.
+ There is no increased engine wear with frequent use on short distances. This is particularly advantageous in the city with only temporary occupancy.
+ The clear dimensions of an electric scooter allow you to lead even in narrow lanes and streets. However, driving on the sidewalks is prohibited. However, smaller models such as mopeds with a speed of 20 or 25 km/h may be driven on the bicycle path provided that no other road users are endangered.
+ A search for a parking space in the city is not difficult for drivers of electric scooters. These vehicles can be parked practically always and everywhere in a space-saving manner, provided that parking is generally permitted.
+ Foldable E-scooters can also be transported on public transport, provided the required space is available. The transport of wheelchairs and prams always has priority in buses. As long as the E-scooter is folded up, there are no additional costs, as it is then considered a piece of luggage. A bicycle ticket must be validated when the scooters are folded out and ready to ride.
+ With an electric scooter you are no longer dependent on ever decreasing fossil fuels and the constantly rising prices at the gas station.
+ Charging can be done conveniently at home or at virtually any other power outlet while on the move.

However, electric scooters also have some disadvantages compared to scooters with combustion engines. Here is to be mentioned among other things:
– E-scooters unfortunately still have a higher purchase price than traditional scooters. However, the purchase pays for itself after only a short time, as electricity is much cheaper than petrol or diesel. The more often the E-Scooter is used, the faster you will have the high purchase price back.
– In comparison to refuelling, it takes a long time. Charging batteries of course longer, even if the new generation of batteries can already have very short charging times. This can be remedied by a second battery, which can be recharged in time by operating the scooter itself with battery no. 1. The batteries themselves are changed within one minute.
– Replacement batteries are quite expensive and may even cost half the new price of an electric scooter. Therefore the purchase should be well considered, even if a spare battery brings advantages. Some dealers offer a replacement battery for a lower surcharge when buying an electric scooter.
– Public charging stations for charging electrically powered vehicles are still quite thinly represented in Germany compared to filling stations for traditional vehicles, even if this is already changing, at least in large cities. Here, the freely accessible charging stations are usually located in front of public authorities and at designated larger car parks. In rural areas, most electric scooters have to be recharged mainly at home.
– Depending on the model, a full battery can take you up to 50 km before it needs to be recharged. A full tank of petrol or diesel already goes much further. Electric scooters are therefore mostly used for short distances. Thanks to the digital display, you can always see how full the battery is or whether it needs to be charged soon.
– Electric scooters weigh more than conventional scooters because lead-gel batteries are very heavy. High-quality electric scooters usually have high-performance lithium-ion batteries (lithium polymer or lithium-iron phosphate). These have a lower weight than the lead-gel batteries, but are still many times heavier than the tank of combustion engines.
– The The performance of electric scooters is lower, which is especially noticeable on gradients. Here scooters with combustion engines have a clear advantage.
– Since batteries have a limited life, sooner or later there will be new costs for a replacement battery. The service life can vary depending on the design and quality of the batteries. The service life of the batteries can be extended many times over by proper handling.
– During frost, all types of rechargeable batteries lose considerable power. This also applies to the batteries of electric scooters. The use of an electric scooter in winter is therefore only possible in good weather conditions.

What to look out for when buying an electric scooter

With the large variety of variants, you should know exactly which E-scooter is best suited for you before buying. Remember that the vehicles need a road registration if you want to use them in public. Only the increasingly popular Segways and mopeds do not require insurance or a driving licence, as they are legally regarded as bicycles and may be ridden wherever bicycles are permitted.

Further purchase criteria should be observed, depending on how you wish to use the electric scooter.

Before purchasing, ask yourself whether the vehicle requires one or two seats, how long the battery should last and what range the vehicle should have. Sometimes it can be useful to replace the battery. Coupled with the use of a second battery, this saves time. Only buy an electric scooter that corresponds to your qualification (driving licence). That prevents trouble later.

Used an electric scooter or would you rather buy a new one?

Depending on A new electric scooter can be quite expensive to make and build. The idea of buying a used vehicle is obvious. In comparison, these are cheaper. Nevertheless, you should consider this step carefully, because with already used vehicles you never know exactly how powerful the battery still is. If you still want to buy a used e-scooter, it is best to buy a model from a specialist dealer, because there used equipment is usually checked through before resale. You will also receive a warranty on the individual electric scooters. In the case of a purchase via private providers on the Internet, the guarantee obligation does not apply. Complaints cannot be made in the case of defects that become apparent later.

Where to buy an electric scooter

You can buy an E-scooter in the retail trade or online on the Internet. Both variants have their advantages and disadvantages. When buying on site, you can personally inspect the individual models and also try them out. So you know exactly what you are buying and whether you can cope with it. After the purchase, you can take your new vehicle home with you and don’t have to wait for the delivery. On the Internet you have to rely on the information and pictures of the sellers. On the other hand, the choice of different products is many times higher than in the retail sector. The purchase can be made around the clock, without having to be based on must respect public holidays and legal opening hours. There is no need to travel to the hotel and look for a parking space, just like waiting at the cash desk. Your electric scooter will be comfortably delivered to your home. By voucher actions and discounts you can catch the possibly resulting delivery costs and save mostly also still cash money in contrast to the purchase locally. This of course makes buying via the Internet interesting.
To find a high-quality product, you should test the quality of the respective electric scooter before buying it by reading test results from independent institutions or looking at customer reviews from more or less satisfied buyers.

bottom line

Electric scooters are a good way to get around cheaply and environmentally friendly, especially in cities. The variety of electric scooters is quite large. They are used as a useful means of transport or as a leisure and fun device. Since fun sports enthusiasts are always looking for a bigger kick, it is not surprising that new and crazier e-scooters are coming onto the market.

Other articles in this category: Rollators for seniors , or hedge trimmers for summer and city scooters for children.

A few shopping recommendations for electric scooters:

Keine Produkte gefunden.