Max. load
The maximum weight of the rider that the design of the scooter can withstand without breakdowns and accidents. This moment is partly determined by the age group, and mainly by the materials used in the frame. Note that manufacturers can indicate the maximum load for perfect conditions - when the scooter rides on a perfectly flat surface or even stands still. Therefore, it is worth choosing a model for this parameter with a certain margin. And even more so, you should not exceed the weight indicated in the characteristics - even if the scooter does not break down immediately, this can happen at any time after, which is fraught with accidents and injuries.
Range
The maximum distance that an electric scooter can travel on a single battery charge.
Usually the range is indicated for a flat road and driving only on an electric motor, without the help of a rider. So this indicator is quite conditional, in practice, the distance of the trip may be either less or more, depending on the characteristics of the road and driving style. Nevertheless, according to the claimed range, it is quite possible to estimate the autonomy of different models and compare them with each other.
Note that a
large range (more than 50 km) requires capacious batteries, which affects the dimensions and weight of the device. The real need for such autonomy is not required so often, especially since many electric scooters are quite capable of driving in the usual way, without the use of an electric motor.
Speed modes
The number of speed modes in the electric scooter. By switching between them, the rider has the right to choose the most comfortable pace of the trip and change the upper speed limit bar.
Max. climbing angle
The maximum climbing angle that an electric scooter can overcome on engine power alone, without the help of legs. Models with engines of the same power may differ in this indicator (due to the difference in torque and wheel size).
Note that in the specifications the angle is usually indicated in degrees, while on road signs it is given as a percentage (1% corresponds to a rise of 1 m for every 100 m of horizontal movement). However, this moment is not particularly critical: if you often have to overcome a certain hill, you can clarify its slope by converting percentages into degrees (and vice versa) according to special tables. In addition, if the angle turns out to be too large, nothing prevents you from helping the scooter with your foot, in extreme cases, to overcome the climb on foot.
Drive
The type of drive in the design of the scooter determines to which wheels the traction from the electric motor is transmitted.
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Front. The drive to the front wheel pulls the entire electric scooter. It provides improved stability on the road, minimizes the likelihood of skidding in corners, and guarantees a soft start and smooth acceleration. On the other hand, the electric motor at the front increases the weight of the wheel assembly and increases the effort when turning the handlebar.
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Rear. Rear-wheel drive electric scooters are not as stable on the road as front-wheel drive models. However, they are more frisky, demonstrate dynamic acceleration and easily conquer hills.
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All-wheel. Scooters with all-wheel drive combine all the positive qualities of front- and rear-wheel drive models in one package. They are also best suited for off-road driving — the all-wheel drive chassis does not care about pits and steep hills, other road irregularities, or mud deposits on the road.
Regenerative
Possibility of electric scooter operation in recuperation mode. In this mode, the direction of the current starts “in the opposite direction”: the electric motors in the wheels work like generators, generating electricity and recharging the battery. In this case, the speed must be maintained either due to repulsion from the ground, or due to coasting from a hill. Properly using recuperation, you can significantly increase the power reserve: for example, it is good to turn on this mode on long descents or on long, flat sections of the road where it is easy to drive in the usual way, without using electric motors.
Battery capacity
Battery capacity installed in the electric scooter.
Theoretically, a higher battery capacity allows for a longer range, but in fact, not everything is so clear. Firstly, motors of even the same power can differ in efficiency; secondly, the actual amount of energy stored in the battery depends not only on the capacity in amp-hours but also on the voltage in volts. So this parameter is secondary, and when choosing, it is worth focusing not so much on the battery capacity, but on the directly claimed range. You can compare capacity only for models with similar characteristics and the same supply voltage.
Voltage
In general, this parameter is of secondary importance; in fact, it is needed mainly when looking for a spare / replacement battery or a third-party charger. When choosing, it is worth paying attention to characteristics that are closer to practice - in particular, directly claimed speed and power reserve.
Full charge time
Time to fully charge the battery from zero to 100%.
The more powerful the device, the more capacious batteries it needs and, as a rule, the longer the charging time. In the heaviest models, it can reach 20 hours. However, such indicators are rare - most electric scooters are charged for a maximum of 8-9 hours, which allows you to put the device on charge “from evening to morning”.