Power
The power of the motor installed in the electric scooter. In models with two motors (one per wheel), their total power is usually indicated.
A more
powerful motor, on the one hand, has a positive effect on the speed and acceleration characteristics; on the other hand, it affects the cost of the device and requires more capacious batteries, which affect both the price and weight. In addition, at acceleration and low speeds, the scooter can be “helped” by pushing off with your foot. Therefore, in most modern models, the motor power is low — most often in range of 250 W,
300 W,
350 W. Power of 500 W is considered quite high, it allows you to reach speeds of 40 km/h and even higher. In the most advanced models, power is already measured in kilowatts, and the maximum speed can exceed 80 km/h; however, such "monsters" cost accordingly.
However, power also affects the ability to drive a vehicle, because depending on the country, various traffic rules are provided for driving a scooter.
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.
Wheels
The type and size of wheels used in an electric scooter.
The size is selected by the manufacturer depending on the general purpose of the scooter - whether it is an asphalt road or rough terrain. If we compare similar models with different wheel diameters, then it is worth considering that the larger the wheels, the better they work out the bumps in the road, the higher the cross-country ability and softness of the ride. And small wheels, in turn, are great for smooth asphalt and dynamic driving, they easily accelerate and allow you to make sharp turns.
As for the different types of wheels, there are polyurethane, rubber, inflatable. More about each:
- Polyurethane. Wheels with solid polyurethane tyres. This material provides good cushioning, high-quality grip and at the same time good rolling; it is resistant to temperature extremes and damage, durable, while it is inexpensive.
— Rubber. In this case, we mean wheels with a solid rubber tyre (inflatable wheels are moved to a separate pick-up point). According to the main characteristics, rubber is similar to the polyurethane described above, and in some moments even surpasses it. So, such tyres do not make noise, smooth out the roughness of the asphalt well, have excellent grip and provide high braking efficiency. On the other hand, this material is less durable and does not tolerate temperature extremes.
— Inflatable. The most advanced type of wheels found in modern...scooters. Wheels of this type have an inflatable tyre (as in bicycles), which provides excellent shock absorption, tight grip and high flotation. The disadvantages of inflatable tyres, in addition to the price, include sensitivity to punctures and increased maintenance complexity: you need to monitor the pressure and, if necessary, inflate the tyre.
Rear brake
Like a handbrake, the rear brake can be
drum,
electric, or
disc. In addition, there may still be a classic
foot brake, as in ordinary scooters, or not at all.
— Disk. The disc brake on the rear wheel ensures a quick stop of the scooter. These brakes have a short-stroke friction clutch. Due to the small distance between the pads and the disc, the friction clutch very quickly comes into contact with the working surface of the brake disc. In this case, the friction clutch is pressed against the disk with a sufficiently large force. The disc brake allows the scooter to stop extremely efficiently. But when using a disc brake on the rear wheel, you should be careful, because when braking hard, especially when cornering, the scooter can skid to the side.
- Drum. The drum type brake has above average efficiency. The drum brake makes the rear wheel massive and heavy. This type of brake has a closed design. The pads are inside the wheel. Friction linings rub against the inner surface of the rim. Access to the drum brake is closed by a protective cover. Thanks to the closed design, neither moisture nor other blockages get inside the brake drum, which makes the brake operation more reliable and trouble-free. Among the shortcomings can be noted: an increase in the dimensions and weight of the wheel, the complexity of maintenanc
...e.
- Foot. The simplest kind of clamping type brakes, which involves slowing down and stopping the scooter by pressing your foot on the fender of the rear wheel. Note that this is the least efficient braking system of the existing options.
- Electric - braking with the help of recuperation. The brake system of this type makes the stop extremely soft, slowing down occurs when the speed of the electric motor decreases. The rear location of the electric brake assumes that the electric motor is mounted on the rear wheel. The presence of an electric motor makes the wheel massive. The electric type brake system is highly reliable and durable, it does not require maintenance. But if the battery pack on the scooter runs out, the electric brake will not work. For such cases, an additional mechanical (hand or foot) brake is usually provided.
- Absent. The rear wheel is not equipped with a brake. In this case, the braking system is provided at the front. The advantage of scooters without a rear brake is that the vehicle will not skid to the side when braking actively when cornering.Suspension
The presence of a suspension makes the ride more comfortable, smoothing out vibrations and shaking when moving on an uneven roadway, but reduces control accuracy.
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Front. In models with such shock absorption, the corresponding dampening device is installed only on the front wheel, while the rear wheel is rigidly fixed. Electric scooters with a front shock absorber combine good handling and provide comfortable movement on bad roads or over rough terrain.
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Front and rear. An advanced type of shock absorption system on both wheels of an electric scooter. Models with double cushioning are the best at damping the vibrations felt by the rider and providing proper traction on rough trails.
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No suspension. In electric scooters without suspension, the wheels are rigidly attached to the frame. This design is simple. However, the rider feels all the bumps of the road in full.
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.
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”.
Dustproof, waterproof
The degree of protection against dust and moisture provided in the scooter.
This indicator is shown according to the IP standard and in the classic format is indicated by two numbers — for example, IP54. In this case, the first digit means the level of protection against dust and foreign objects, its value can be as follows:
- 4 - protection against foreign objects with a size of 1 mm or more;
- 5 - dust resistance (a small amount of dust can get inside, which does not affect the operation of the device);
- 6 - full dustproof.
The level of water protection, in turn, can be as follows:
- 4 - protection against splashes from any direction, allows you to endure rain without consequences;
- 5 - protection against water jets from any direction, resistance even to severe weather;
In some models, instead of the first digit, "X" is put - for example, IPX4. This means that dust resistance has not been tested, and only moisture resistance should be taken into account.