In recent years, electric scooters have become one of the most popular modes of transportation, especially for commuters. Because of its growing popularity, the e-scooter market is expected to reach $30 billion by 2025.
The growing demand and market for e-scooters can be easily seen and felt as more private and shared e-scooters have popped up recently. Moreover, e-scooter regulations have become a recent hot topic for some states and territories as more locals legalise e-scooters and adopt shared e-scooter schemes.
If you’re one of the many people who are thinking of getting their own electric scooter, then here are a few questions to ask before buying an electric scooter. These questions will help you know if you really need one and figure out what kind of electric scooter you might need. Overall, this electric scooter buying guide might spark questions you haven’t thought about before.
1. Why do you need an electric scooter?
Before anything else, think about why you need to buy an electric scooter. E-scooters offer different perks such as an affordable ride, a convenient means to commute, and space-saving everyday transportation. All of these are great reasons to buy an e-scooter today. However, what’s your reason for buying one?
Do you need an e-scooter to make commuting easier, or do you only want to try it out because it’s the trend? If your reason is the latter, then you might not be able to appreciate your newly bought e-scooter. In fact, you might not use it afterwards since you don't need it for a specific purpose. However, if you need an everyday ride that’s efficient and affordable, then you will definitely benefit from an e-scooter.
Moreover, knowing your purpose for riding an e-scooter will help you know what type of e-scooter you should buy. For example, if you need it to ride long distances, then you should get a long-range electric scooter. Overall, it will help you know if an e-scooter fits your lifestyle and what kind of e-scooter suits your needs best.
2. What are your city’s e-scooter laws?
Each state and territory have their own laws regarding e-scooters. Unfortunately, most states in Australia still do not allow private electric scooters in public. So, before heading out to buy an e-scooter, make sure your city allows private e-scooters in public. Otherwise, it would be a shame not to be able to use your newly bought e-scooter.
Meanwhile, if your city allows private e-scooters on public footpaths and spaces, make sure to know the regulations imposed by your city to avoid getting fined. For example, does your city require riders to have a license or registration when riding a personal e-scooter? If they do, it’s best to have your e-scooter registered and get a license to avoid getting penalised.
3. What is your budget range?
Electric scooters for adults can go as low as $200 and as high as $2000. So, how much can you afford? If you’re looking for a regular commuter e-scooter, a decent e-scooter will cost around $300 to $1000. Meanwhile, budget e-scooters cost below $300. However, if you’re looking for a premium, durable, and powerful electric scooter, then you need around $1200 or more to buy one.
With these price guides in mind, you should be able to estimate how much you need for the type of e-scooter that you need. However, remember that you don’t need to buy the most expensive e-scooter just to get the most of it. Many commuter e-scooters in the market offer reliable e-scooters at just $500 to $800. As long as the e-scooter that you need fits your budget, then that’s all that matters.
4. Can you commit to maintaining your electric scooter?
Compared to cars and motorcycles, electric scooters are easier to maintain. However, this does not mean that you don’t need to take care of your e-scooter or bring it for a regular checkup. Just like having a car, e-scooter riders must also take care of their e-scooter properly to keep it in good condition and help it last longer.
Some of the maintenance needed include cleaning your e-scooter, storing it in a clean and dry space, riding it properly, and maintaining its tyres well, among others. Moreover, know that you should also have an allotted budget in case a component needs to be replaced. E-scooters don’t break down easily, but just in case, be prepared to have a budget for maintenance.
5. Do you have space to store your e-scooter?
Lastly, think about where you will store your e-scooter. As mentioned earlier, storing your e-scooter in a cool, dry, and clean place is part of maintaining your e-scooter. However, the great thing about e-scooters is their portability. Since e-scooters are small, foldable, and compact, they don’t need a big storage space.
Some riders even hang their e-scooters on shelves since they are light enough to be on shelves. You can also keep them under desks and inside cabinets, as long as the e-scooter is free from dust, dirt, and moisture. So, if you’re thinking of getting an e-scooter, make sure that you have the right space to store it.
Find the right electric scooter for you
Hopefully, this electric scooter buying guide helped you to thoroughly consider if you should buy an electric scooter. Electric scooters have many benefits from being efficient to offering affordable transport options, so using an e-scooter is a smart choice. Hopefully, these set of questions will help you find the right electric scooter for you.
For more electric scooter guides, check out Ride Hub’s other e-scooter articles. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for the best electric scooters for commuting, Ride Hub offers a variety of selections in our online shop.
