There’s no denying that electric scooters are becoming a more and more popular mode of transport.
According to the National Association of City Transportation Officials, shared electric scooters are close to overtaking bike-sharing. Bicycle sharing or electric scooter sharing is a service in which the general public can rent either a bike or scooter on a short-term basis for a price or free.
In 2018, out of the 84 million ‘micro-mobility’ trips taken by people, 38.5 million of those were by scooters.
Not only this but also according to UK retailer, Micro Scooters, sales of electric scooters increased 50% in 2019.
So not only are shared scooters a popular commuting choice but more and more of us are wanting to own one of our own.
With the above in mind, we thought it would be worthwhile publishing a blog on our website about the best electric scooters for adults 2020.
Before we delve into our list of the 9 best scooters, there are some important points worth discussing first.
Is it worth buying an electric scooter?
Before committing to buying an electric scooter, people often contemplate reasons they should and often investigate why they are so expensive to run and charge.
Reasons to buy an electric scooter
We could easily write a whole blog itself about reasons to buy an electric scooter, maybe we will one day. For now, here are our top reasons:
- Save costs on fuel/petrol as electric scooters are battery powered
- Most scooters are portable, not all but most
- They are environment-friendly and noise-free
- The design of scooter makes them very easy to maintain
- Scooters are compact and small in size, meaning no more parking stresses
- Most scooters are easy to assemble and come with an easy to understand manual, be up and running in 10 minutes
- Save time on the road and avoid traffic jams. Take short cuts through the tube, park, shopping parks etc
- If you have a lighter model and run out of battery, you can manually push the scooter along
Why electric scooters are so expensive
Good electric scooters range in price from £200 to £1500. Whilst you save money in the long term with petrol/fuel costs, some price tags can seem a little high.
The battery, electric motor (and other parts), research and development of the control unit and software are all factors of what makes some scooters more expensive than others.
The main cause of the price difference is the chosen battery and this is because batteries themselves are expensive, especially the big ones.
Whilst you can get away with cheap batteries for some tech eg mobiles, this can’t be said for electric scooters.
This blog goes into more detail about this subject.
Are electric scooters expensive to charge?
No, it’s not expensive to charge your electric scooter, especially if you compare with the cost of fuel etc.
On average it costs anywhere between 15p and 30p to completely charge your electric scooter. This obviously depends on the model you choose, for example, if you have a lightweight model, you will typically only need around an hour for charging.
Charging costs also depend on the size of the battery in the scooter. If you are planning to ride yours for a long period of time and at high speeds, it is advisable to go for a battery that may take longer to charge but you will save money in terms of how often it needs charging.
For example, The Egret-Ten V3 does take 6 hours to charge, but can last up to 27 miles and can meet speeds of 19 mph.
Of course, range will differ depending upon the size of the battery. So if you're looking to ride yours for a long period of time, and at high speed, it is worthwhile going for a battery that may take longer to charge but save you money in terms of how often it needs charging.
Top 9 electric scooters
Now that we have covered the above important points, let’s move on to the best electric scooters for adults.
Below we have picked 9 of our favourite models. What made it onto the list? There’s only one way to find out…
Please note that the price was correct at the time of review.
- Xiaomi Mija M365 Pro
Price: £525
The M365 Pro is the successor to the hugely popular Xiaomi M365 - it's more expensive but worth the money. It’s as easy to use as the original but a larger motor and battery range make it a superior electric scooter. As a bonus, you can also choose from multiple riding modes.
Price: £698.99
The Unagi is an elegant functional scooter that’s serious in nature but still fun to ride. Made from strong but lightweight materials, this scooter is easily portable and lightweight. The dual motors mean that hills are now a doddle.
Price: £380
With a top speed of 20 mph, a 16-mile range, 8.5-inch pneumatic tires and made from lightweight materials, this scooter is an excellent choice that provides great value for city commuters.
Price: £265
Some would argue that the Alfawise is a great cheaper alternative to the Xiaomi. We would have to agree. It looks sleek, folds within seconds and has max speeds of up to 16 mph.
Price: £349
Reaching top speeds of 15 mph, fully charged in just 3.5 hours and a sleek folding design this scooter is a great one for commuters. It has front and rear shock absorption, making a very smooth ride.
Price: £499
The Micro Falcon X3 is a great scooter for that last hour of your commute in a city or urban environment. Weighing 7.9kg this scooter is one of the lightest and most portable on the market. You can also reach speeds of 15.5 mph and it fully charges in 1 hour.
Price: £199.00
The cheapest electric scooter on our list but still a worthy contender. Weighing only 8kg, this scooter is ultra-light and can be easily folded in 2 seconds. Fully charges in 2-3 hours and reaching speeds of 14 mph, this is definitely worth checking out.
Price: £898.99
This scooter is the updated model of the best-selling Inokim Light. With a dual drum braking system, this is a safe ride but can still reach speeds of up to 20 Mph. With a powerful motor, the Light 2 can tackle slopes and hills with ease.
Price: £899.99
This scooter is a great choice for commuters. It has a compact and foldable design, offering a very smooth and comfortable ride. Equipped with 10-inch pneumatic tires, this scooter is stable on slippery surfaces offering extra grip. You can also reach speeds of 22 mph.
Now we have revealed our favourite scooters out there on the market, there are some other points worth considering.
How long do electric scooters last?
Before buying a scooter, it is sensible to ask "how long do they last? Will it be worth my investment?”
To properly answer this question, we need to look into two different areas - the overall lifespan of a scooter and how long the battery lasts.
What is the lifespan of a scooter?
Shared scooters have an average lifespan between 1-5 months. Not very long right?
Privately owned scooters, which have been looked after properly with the correct maintenance tend to last around 2-3 years, in some cases even longer.
There are many factors that decrease the lifespan of an electric scooter such as; being exposed to the outdoors for the majority of the time, dust and water, different temperatures, hits and knocks, also scooter parts can break with wear and tear.
For more information on this check out the eScooter rider blog.
How long does a battery last on an electric scooter?
Generally speaking, electric scooter batteries can last anywhere between 1-3 years. For those who like a comparison, a car battery lasts anywhere from 2- 5 years on average. Car batteries are much larger and more powerful, but that is to be expected as they are needed to power a much heavier and more complex vehicle.
Whilst electric scooter batteries today are lithium-ion, there’s not a lot to do in order to maintain it properly. Saying this, these batteries are sensitive to high temperatures so keep away from extreme temperatures. It is also a good idea to keep the battery away from water, try and avoid going out in the rain. Puddles are fun, but try and keep away from these too.
Are electric scooters illegal in the UK?
As it currently stands, riding an electric scooter on the road is forbidden in the UK. They are also not allowed on the pavement.
Where can you ride them? They can be ridden on private land, obviously with the permission of the landowner.
If you don’t abide by these rules, you could face a £300 fixed-penalty notice and six points on your driving licence. Not worth the risk if you ask us.
Why are electric scooters illegal in the UK?
Electric scooters are classed as a ‘powered transport’ and are covered by the same laws and regulations that apply to ALL motor vehicles. This means that for them to be legal on-road they would need to meet the different requirements such as road tax, technical safety standards of the Road Traffic Act 1988, which they don’t.
Because it can’t be used on the road, it is exempt from tax and you don’t need a driver’s licence or learner’s permit to use an electric scooter.
Browse the Hedkayse Helmet range to keep safe on whatever scooter you choose?