Are Electric Scooters Worth It? 2021
Electric scooters have been around for years now but they have been causing a stir in the market as they are growing in popularity. They are some of the best vehicles you can use to get around in a busy city or on large campuses. As they grow in popularity, you might wonder if you should get one or if they are worth it.
But the main question of the hour is are they worth it?
Well, based on how the pros outweigh the cons, it’s pretty evident that Electric Scooters are way better than other traditional modes of transportation.
Over the course of the article i’ll take you through the advantages and disadvantages of owning an Electric Scooter and see if they’re a worthwhile means of micro-mobility in 2021.
Are Electric Scooters Worth It?
Electric Scooters are some of the most compact forms of transportation which are quick, sleek, and nifty little machines that can traverse through crowded cities in no time. While being cheap, convenient and easy to use, they are also the perfect travel companion you could own.
Read out to find if they are worth it for you, below is my unbiased opinion on electric scooters. (I use an electric scooter to travel around too)
The thing about electric scooters is that they kind of eliminate other means of transportation like bikes, public transport, cars and so on. Electric scooters are ideal modes of transportation and can be used in either one of the following scenarios.
- Last Mile Vehicle – An electric scooter works as a great last mile option. All your traveling problems will be solved with an e-Scooter. Simply drive up to an area that’s close to work (if the streets are crowded or there’s a traffic jam) and pull out your scooter from the boot and ride it the rest of the way.
- Full Ride Vehicle – You can even use an electric scooter for the full ride to school or work. However, it comes with a couple of limitations such as, to travel a distance of 4-6 miles to work, you will require a scooter that comes with a larger than normal battery. This tends to become an expensive affair. But if you’re able to charge your scooter at work or in school then you wouldn’t have to buy something expensive and resort to a cheaper model.
Advantages of Owning an Electric Scooter
The number of advantages of an electric scooter are plenty. Let us look at them in detail and why (spoiler alert) they are worth it.
Convenience
The whole idea of owning/using a vehicle, be it from simple as a bicycle or a car or even owning jets is to allow you to conveniently travel from one place to another. And guess what, electric scooters are extremely convenient at what they are designed to do. They take you around quickly and efficiently for short distance. They are advertised or designed to be used for short distances and crowded cities and they do an excellent job of them. Their convenience should be one of the top reasons why you should buy them.
Travel Faster
This is true only if you are pitting electric scooters against your own legs and your own bicycling skills. Electric scooters can also be faster mode of transport when using them in congested cities. The size and speed of them allows you to whoosh past vehicles stuck in traffic jams or signals.
There are very minimal laws governing them, you can use the footpath for less obstructive path. They are extremely quick to travel if you are taking a small trip and/or on a congested route. Some electric scooters can travel in excess of 30 mph but it is recommended to ride at them 15 mph for a safe ride. But it is good to have, its top speed in case you need it. They can be quicker than cars too if the distance is short and traffic is high.
Environment Friendly
One of the most important benefit of electric scooters in my opinion is that they are environment. They are better in this regard compared all other vehicles bar bicycles and walking. In our world where anything we do leads to a negative impact on the environment, it is important for us to take measures to do our part in saving it.
While we can’t stop traveling or moving around, so anything that reduces the carbon footprint caused by traveling using cars and motorcycles, is a welcome change indeed. Using electric scooters compared to cars whenever possible is a great way to help the environment.
Low Cost of Maintenance
They are electric scooters and they have few moving parts, this makes them reliable. They don’t need to be maintained as much as cars or motorcycle. The cost of repairs also in the case of an accident are less as they are relatively simpler machines. Electric scooters with airless tires will give a peace of mind over the risk of flat tires.
The only change you’ll be needing to do after years of use will be changing the battery which may have lost its ability to hold charge well. But even then, when compared to the maintenance cost of a car or a motorbike, this is just a small fraction of it. This is a huge plus if you want to save money.
Cheap to Operate
Electric scooters run on electricity, and electricity is cheap. Though electricity price varies from region to region, it still is cheaper than gas. This makes it the cheapest vehicle to operate, except for obviously a bicycle. You can use them for short trips, errands to save a lot on fuel usage.
Electric Scooters are Affordable
Electric scooters cost a few hundred dollars when compared to the thousands you have to spend on a car. Using a electric scooter as your primary vehicle for commute can save you a lot of money. With better and more quality electric scooters hitting the shelves, there’s never been a better time for you to grab one.
Easy to Park and Store
Electric scooters are small and lightweight even when compared to bicycle. This makes them easy to park or store almost anywhere. Most electric scooters now foldable too which makes them take a smaller footprint when not in use. You can easily tuck it under your office desk, school/college locker or even in your grocery cart. There are also a lot of public scooter racks, where you can park them and secure them safely with a lock.
Electric Scooters are Portable
They are small in size, lightweight and the foldable nature of electric scooters make them easily portable. That is if you want commute with them on a bus, train or subway for use later or if they lose charge on the way, you don’t have to fret, just fold them and carry them with you. This is an advantage over almost all vehicles out there. Even bicycles are not as easily portable as electric scooters.
Electric Scooters are Easy to Use/Assemble
It will take you only a couple of minutes to use your electric scooter after buying it. Just unfold it, attach the grip for handle, charge the battery and you are ready to go. This is what makes electric scooters an amazing buy, they are convenient in every possible way.
Electric Scooters are Fun
Electric scooters are a joy to ride as they are quick from the get go. They make you feel like a kid sometimes, they accelerate quickly and the size allows you to travel in between vehicles and peoples. It’s a fun feeling to ride an electric scooter.
Disadvantage of Owning an Electric Scooter
Yes, you read that right, there is only one disadvantage owning or using one in my opinion. It is the safety hazard they pose sometimes.
This is not even a fault of electric scooters, the lack of rules or laws surrounding them is a fault of the government. Some people might think of it as a benefit as they can pick up and ride. But since there are no rules or licenses for electric scooters, anyone can drive and in any way the want and this makes it a safety hazard.
This is an easy one to fix though, a few basic rules need to be put in place for electric scooters so that they are not a safety risk.
Other disadvantages that some electric scooter haters might point is that it needs battery replacement. This is true in almost any vehicle you own and guess what, the amount spent on maintenance for any car or motorcycle is multiple times higher than you’ll ever spend on an electric scooter.
FAQ
Do I need insurance to ride an electric scooter?
Well, since electric scooters are classified as personal light electric vehicles, they can be taken out in public without the need of insurance. Basically, any damage to the scooter will come out of your own pocket.
Can you drive an electric scooter without a license?
These scooters can be ridden by anyone and its not mandatory to hold a license. While petrol powered scooters may require a license to operate, those running on batteries do not.
Are electric scooters street-legal?
One of their biggest advantages is that electric scooters are street legal (depending on the state you’re in). Cities have put in more effort to make roads EV friendly with numerous charging stations and dedicated scooter lanes so everyone can get in on the action.
Conclusion
To conclude, I can’t think of any reason why anyone wouldn’t choose an electric scooter. It is quick, reliable, cheap, fun and convenient to ride.
A few laws or rules need to be put up to make it the perfect vehicle to travel inside cities. It is good for the environment and it can even have a positive impact on your mental health cause it’s fun. It is cheap to run and potable to carry around almost everywhere.
A lot of people are adopting it because it is exciting and equally convenient to use it. This trend is making manufactures to spend more in R&D, resulting in better and more reliable electric scooters. I can see more and more electric scooter riders in the future and I highly recommend picking one up even if you have other vehicles.
All of the above positives are why electric scooters are getting more popular by each passing day. They can only get better and cheaper from here. And you should consider picking one up for yourself because for what it does, an electric scooter does it best. They are worth spending money on, cause the provide an amazing traveling experience.
Also Read:
