The Ten Best Features to Look for in an Electric Scooter

Electric scooters are a great and convenient way to go around, but the process of selecting one can be pretty intimidating, especially if it’s your first time.

Because there is so much to choose from, it is hard to pinpoint just one brand or model that perfectly suits your needs.

So, instead of making a single recommendation, we have listed all the best features you must consider when shopping for an electric scooter.

1. Suspension

For comfortable rides, especially if you’re planning on taking your e-scooter with you on out-of-town trips, you need to consider a good suspension system. This will improve the quality of your ride by absorbing shock from uneven roads and rough terrain.

A healthy number of electric scooters are equipped with a variety of suspension setups. Some may have just front suspension, while others have front & rear. This is well-suited for daily commutes on paved and well-maintained roads.

If you have to deal with rough or uneven surfaces, look for an e-scooter with triple or quadruple spring suspension systems. These advanced suspension setups are specifically designed to handle challenging terrains, providing enhanced shock absorption and stability.

2. Good Hill Climb Ability

The next thing you need to consider is the e-scooter’s climb ability, or its capacity to ascend inclines or hills. It is an important factor, especially if you live in an area with hilly terrain or if your route includes uphill drives.

Fortunately, it’s not that difficult to find electric scooters that can conquer steep inclines of 25% and above.

And even though a typical commute within the city doesn’t involve intense hill climbing, it’s worth noting that the average climbing capabilities of commuter e-scooters have increased. You can now find regular scooters that can conquer angles of 15 to 20%.

Remember, a percentage incline isn’t the same as an incline measured in degrees (°). For context, a percentage incline is approximately double the angle incline in degrees, so a 40% climb percentage is roughly the equivalent to 20°. Here’s a handy online calculator if you want to see what a percentage incline actually is when converted to degrees.

3. Full Lighting and Indicators

As electric scooters are becoming more commonplace on public roads, it’s now more critical than ever to prioritise safety and visibility, especially at night.

To ensure a safe experience on the road, make sure to buy a scooter adequately equipped with bright front and rear lights. 

Aside from these, you also need to consider indicators. Also known as signals or blinkers, indicators allow a rider to communicate with other drivers, which reduces the likelihood of accidents.

4. Puncture-Proof Tyres

Another essential feature that your new electric scooter should possess is puncture-proof or puncture-resistant tyres.

Through increased thickness or the addition of a thick protective lining, these tyres resist punctures from sharp objects like thorns and nails on the road. They are reliable and will save you from the hassle of dealing with flats.

5. Ease of Maintenance

Most e-scooters require minimal maintenance, and typically, you may only need to replace the tyres and brakes over the course of your e-scooter’s lifespan. 

However, daily usage is bound to have some effects on the device. Thus, aside from learning the basics of taking care of your electric scooter, it’s helpful to choose one with the following:

1. A user-friendly manual provided by the manufacturer
2. Accessible components that are easy to access and detach when needed
3. Widely available spare parts (more about this in number 9)

And when you buy your scooter, also consider joining online communities to get troubleshooting advice, maintenance tips, and recommendations from experienced users.

6. High Rider Weight Capacity

Most e-scooters have a maximum rider weight capacity of 100 kg, but some models can accommodate up to 150 kg. 

An e-scooter’s rider weight limit is not a mere suggestion but a rule that users must respect. Overloading your scooter will affect its acceleration, braking system, and overall performance. This will eventually damage your device and may even cause accidents.

When looking at weight limit capacities, don't forget to add an allowance of 10%. This extra margin accounts for any additional load or items you may carry while riding. For instance, if you weigh 90 kg, you should get a scooter that can support 99 kg.

7. Wide Deck & Handlebars

Aside from weight capacity, you also need to consider the size of the e-scooter deck and the length of its handlebars. These factors directly impact the comfort and stability of your ride.

Consider your shoe size when evaluating the deck size of an e-scooter. Look for one that is at least 127 mm wide, although it is always a good idea to go for an even wider option.

Next, choose an e-scooter that has handlebars that are slightly wider than your shoulder width. For example, if your shoulder width is 500 mm, you would want a scooter with a 525 to 560 mm wide handlebar. 

If you are unsure, err on the side of caution by choosing a model with wide handlebars. They will be easier to manoeuvre than handlebars that are too narrow.

8. Quick Charging Feature

To minimise downtime and make the most out of your e-scooter, also remember to get one that charges quickly or has a fast-charging option. 

For regular commuter electric scooters, a charge time of around 4 to 5 hours is ideal. However, please note that more powerful scooters, like dual motor electric scooters, will take a longer time to charge.

9. Warranty and Availability of Spare Parts 

There are a lot of cheap electric scooters available online, especially on foreign e-commerce websites. But don’t forget to consider the potential drawbacks before making a purchase solely based on price point.

While the prices of these scooters may seem appealing, carefully weigh the costs of the absence of warranty coverage and the possible unavailability of spare parts. 

So, choose an e-scooter that comes with a reliable warranty policy. Take time to study the details of the warranty coverage and duration. This way, you can be sure that you have proper protection and support in case any issues arise with your device.

Also, please be aware that e-scooter repairs are only doable as long as spare parts and service centres are available in your area. Thus, we recommend investing in a reputable brand and buying it from a store with its own service centre.

Electric Kicks takes pride in its team of e-scooter repair and servicing specialists. Our services are open to all, regardless of whether they purchased their ride from our store or not. 

We have one of the strongest repair networks in the country, and we can service most of Australia’s biggest brands like Apollo, Segway-Ninebot, Pure Electric, AnyHill, and more.

10. Legal Compliance

Relevant laws and regulations on e-scooter usage vary per locality and are constantly being updated. As a responsible buyer, it is your duty to stay informed about the latest recommendations regarding e-scooters in your city.

Consider these laws when choosing your e-scooter. For example, while privately owned electric scooters are legal in the state of Victoria, you cannot own one that is capable of achieving speeds higher than 25 kph. This means that even if you follow the speed limit (20 kph), you still cannot use a high-speed e-scooter on public roads.

Keeping your local laws in mind when getting your e-scooter will ensure that you can safely – and legally – enjoy it.

High Water Resistance Rating

Water and electricity don’t mix well, and neither does water and untreated metal such as that found on the inside of an electric scooter. Moisture ingress in electric scooters can cause a variety of damage that may take weeks to show up. The damage itself can vary from short circuiting, unusual behaviour in electric components, or an e-scooter that just won’t work.

Water damage isn’t covered by warranty either, and it’s inevitable you’ll eventually be caught short in the rain, so it’s important to factor in water resistance when buying. 

Fortunately, more and more e-scooters come with higher water resistance (IP) ratings today. While no electric scooters is considered truly waterproof, you can find several with good IP ratings that make your scooter more accessible year-round.

Finding the Right Balance

It can be difficult to find one e-scooter that has all these features. Realistically, you should expect to encounter a few trade-offs in your search.

For instance, you might have to prioritise a stronger motor and better hill climb ability over quick charging capabilities. Alternatively, you might opt for a more portable e-scooter, even if it means sacrificing a wider deck.

It's about finding the right balance that suits your priorities.

Still, this does not mean that you wouldn’t find an excellent electric scooter that aligns closely with your requirements. 

We advise that you take this guide as your reference to study the features that matter most to you. Then, consider our recommendations and suggestions as you navigate the market.

In the end, as e-scooters become more widely legalised and adopted across the country, we should expect more growth and innovation. The future looks promising, and we eagerly anticipate the arrival of a broader selection of models with amazing features – and fewer compromises – to allow riders to find their one perfect ride.