Electric scooters are great commuter transportation since they offer a fast and convenient way for people to get around the city. It offers enough range to cover first and last-mile trips and long-distance travels. The electric scooter’s range is one of the factors why it has been gaining popularity as a transportation device. Because of this, many e-scooter riders consider range as an important factor when choosing an e-scooter.
However, one equally important factor is the electric scooter’s weight and weight capacity. When it comes to range, weight should also be considered since it affects the maximum range of an electric scooter. That’s why the maximum ranges advertised on electric scooters often have a disclaimer saying that it’s based on ideal conditions. Because in reality, this maximum range is difficult to achieve due to several factors.
So, if you are considering buying an electric scooter, here’s why you should consider weight and max load when thinking of an electric scooter range.
How weight affects electric scooter range
Before knowing how weight affects range, here’s a quick explanation of electric scooter weight and weight capacity.
Electric Scooter Weight
The weight of an e-scooter depends on the materials used, battery size, and motor size of the e-scooter. On average, a commuter e-scooter weighs 24 lbs, and it can range from 11 lbs to over 300 lbs, depending on the type of electric scooter.
A lighter and heavier e-scooter each has pros and cons, but if you are thinking of buying an e-scooter that can give a lot of range, consider getting a lightweight e-scooter. Many lightweight e-scooters use durable and quality materials, and they will help prolong your range while riding. Meanwhile, a heavier electric scooter will make it difficult for your electric scooter to run and get more range.
Weight Capacity
Weight capacity is the maximum load that an electric scooter can carry. The average commuter electric scooter for adults has a weight capacity of 100 lbs. However, high-performance and heavy duty electric scooters offer up to 150 kgs of load capacity since they have more power and battery capacity. However, since they have larger batteries and motors, they are also heavier.
How they affect the range
When riding an e-scooter, the e-scooter battery, motor, and wheels are pulling the weight of the e-scooter and rider when moving. Aside from this, these components are also fighting elemental forces that prevent the e-scooter from moving. As a result, it works twice as hard if the e-scooter and rider are heavier. And when the battery and motor use more power, it depletes faster, producing less range.
It’s also important to know and consider the different forces that are affecting your range.
Gravity is the force that keeps us planted on the floor. The more mass a person or item has, the more it’s pulled down by gravity. This is why it’s difficult to ride uphill. So, if you are riding an e-scooter in a hilly area, expect it to reduce its range significantly as the motor and battery will exert more power to climb.
Drag is a force that moves opposite to the relative motion of an object. Similar to gravity, the e-scooter will also use more power and energy to compensate. As a result, you decrease your e-scooter’s range.
This is the force that prevents the wheels from moving forward. So, your e-scooter sends more energy to the wheels to make them move. Rolling resistance increases with gravity, so a heavier load has more rolling resistance. As a result, the e-scooter covers less range.
Choose an electric scooter with a high capacity and performance
Since weight and range directly affect each other, riders may choose to get a long-range electric scooter or off-road electric scooter that has enough power and battery to take on longer rides. These are usually heavier than most commuter electric scooters, but their large battery capacity and motor power help them cover farther distances.
For example, the Mearth RS Series, the best long range, commuter electric scooter from Mearth, can cover a maximum range of 65 km. It has a maximum output power of 850W and a battery capacity of 36V 561.6Wh. It also has a net weight of 23 kg and a maximum load of 100 kg. The net weight of the Mearth RS Series is slightly heavier than most commuter e-scooters in the market, but its performance enables it to ride longer distances.
Meanwhile, the Mearth GTS Series offers more range and capabilities, thanks to its 13-20.4Ah battery and burst output power of 3200W for the Mearth GTS MAX. It also has a maximum load of 150 kg, which is great for heavy adults. As a result, riders can travel up to 70 km for the Mearth GTS and up to 100 km for the Mearth GTS MAX.
These electric scooters may be a bit heavy for everyday commuting. However, many lightweight commuter electric scooters compromise battery capacity and motor power to achieve portability. If you are looking for an e-scooter that can deliver a lot of range, then it’s best to look for one that offers enough power and battery to withstand your weight and the e-scooter’s weight. Overall, the best electric scooter for you is one that offers a balance of power, battery, and range, according to your needs.
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