Electric Scooters – The latest tendency of means of transportation
Nowadays, cities are expanding and getting overcrowded unpredictably fast, alongside people’s desire to save time. As the traffic gets crazier each year, people have become quite thoughtful with the idea of turning the old school scooter into an electric scooter – a smart and modern way of commuting. The electric scooters have gained popularity through the last year, to an extent which we can see everywhere now – parks, roads and neighborhoods and for sure we can say that their pros are taking predominance over their cons. Electric scooters are cheap, fast, eco-friendly and a fun way of traveling on short distances.
Below, we are going to give some knowledge and tips in case you are still having doubts whether to get one.
1. How do they work?
There are two main components required in order for the electric scooter to work and those are: battery and a motor. The batteries are rechargeable and are either of the SLA or the lithium types. The endurance of these batteries is good enough for you to travel within a range of 10 to 40 miles. - The motor of the electric scooter is mounted on the frame; - The electricity that is produced in the battery is transmitted back to the motor through a network of wires; - Depending on the type and model of the scooter, the motor might either make the front wheel or both the wheels to rotate to push the scooter forward; - However, because of the constraints of the motor, electric scooters seldom cross 25 to 30 kmph; - The electric scooter also has breaks that are connected with the rear wheel.
2. What batteries do they work with?
If you decide to become a proud owner, your main expense would be the one for batteries, which compared with gas, would be much cheaper as you will have to change the battery once a few years. There are a few battery types that are suitable for them:
-Nickel Metal Hydride Battery (NiMH):
These batteries have been on the market for the last few years and we can tell their chemical composure by their name. Their main advantage is that they are much lighter than the standard SLA batteries. This is why, however, they are also quite expensive. Some electric scooter brands use those batteries as defaults and what is also important to mention is that they are 30% lighter than the SLAs.
-Sealed Lead Acid Batteries (SLA):
They also have been on the market for a very long time. SLA batteries are the standard for the automotive industry. Motorcycle industry relies on them, due to the reason they provide a very strong initial current, sufficient to start an engine/motor. Compared to the NiMH they are heavier and more expensive. We can also add that as long as they are being properly stored and maintained, they would last for years. All in all, SLA batteries are the best option as they provide a supreme performance on a low price.
- Lithium - Ion batteries.
This is the Third option that scooters can work with. They are the most recent battery technology and due to this they have a couple of serious advantages. They weigh a little bit less than the NiMH batteries and they last a little bit longer than the SLA ones. Those two main advantages make them alluring to a lot of scooter produced. However, as a result of these significant advantages Li-ion batteries are turning up in all sorts of places. However, on the downside, their price is much higher than that of the sealed lead acid battery and NiMH battery. In fact, with modern electric scooters a large part of the price is likely to be the cost of the battery especially if they are NiMH.
3. Electric Scooter Regulations within the USA
In the USA, the state law governing electric bikes is being applied to electric scooters as well.
The US2002 federation law stipulates that an electric bike will be classified as a street legal vehicle if it has a maximum speed of 20 mph and a motor power of 750 watts, the least. A scooter with such specifications would not require a registration or a license plate within most US states. Electric scooters in the US are allowed on roads that lack bicycle lanes as long as they don’t exceed the speed limit of 25 mph. Unless you are passing or turning left, the scooter has to be ridden close to the curb on your right hand. Different US states have individual specifications when it comes to e-bikes or what are known as Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs).
Some of the most popular electric scooter brands are: Razor, EVO, E – Scooter and etc. We, at BatteryRush have replacement scooter batteries for all of these and many more. Check the availability right here. Also, if you are having difficulties choosing the model for your scooter, you can always call us directly and we would be more than happy to assist.
