Independence and travel are now two key elements in people’s lives. Sometimes they are limited for reasons beyond our control such as a disability, an accident or simply the passage of age.

Electric scooters are a perfect solution to recover that lost freedom and improve the quality of life of those who have lost some of their mobility.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOOSING A SUITABLE ELECTRIC SCOOTER

Most people, when they think about first purchasing an electric mobility scooter, face a wide range of models and brands on the market, with many features and technical data that are quite difficult to understand. Choosing the right scooter can be a real challenge.

All scooters, regardless of their size and price are designed to fully meet the needs of the people for which they have been designed (disabled, disabled, reduced mobility…).

They are very simple to handle, ideal for outdoor driving, safe and stable. Also, having such an attractive aesthetic the impossibility or disability that the user has will be less evident apparently driving an electric motorbike.

We understand that it is very important to choose a good scooter that suits your needs. You are about to make a great investment and we want to help you to improve your quality of life substantially and be completely satisfied.

With this guide, we will try to explain the features that appear in the descriptions of the different scooters so that you can analyze and choose the model that best suits your needs and your budget.

Before you buy a scooter, there are questions you need to ask yourself to understand if you need to focus on a specific range:

If you need to put the scooter in the boot of the car frequently to be able to use it in different places we recommend that you choose a detachable scooter or a folding scooter that is light, as they are easier to load.

Folding scooters are stored in a more compact way and also allow them to be transported with their own wheels as a trolley type suitcase.

In these cases, scooters are usually somewhat heavier to lift from the ground although in most cases you can remove the armrests and battery to make them somewhat less heavy.

In contrast, detachable scooters usually have 4 or 5 parts that are disassembled and mounted quickly without effort or tooling. These allow you to load the parts separately and make the loading and unloading process easier.

The range of detachable and folding scooters is usually a maximum of 25km. You can find them with lithium or Gel/AGM batteries.

Lithium batteries are more expensive but have lower weight and higher performance than their companions. They also have a reduced rate of self-discharge and have no memory effect problems.

If you only need to upload it home to charge it and you can leave the scooter in the garage or even in the trunk of the car, it would be advisable if you had a scooter with detachable batteries.

So you only have to raise the battery box home to charge them and lower it again when you want to use the scooter.

In this case, apart from the detachable and folding scooters there are also medium non-detachable scooters that have a more compact chassis that confers greater robustness, lower vibrations and age better as there is no slacks in the joining areas.

DO YOU HAVE LIMITATIONS OF SPACE IN THE CAR, ELEVATOR OR HALLWAYS AND DOORS OF HOME?

Scooters, unlike electric chairs, are longer in length and therefore have a longer turning radius, further limiting their use in tight spaces.

However, there are brands that offer us to adapt the length of their scooters as we need.

This option is highly recommended for all those who have elevators or cars with very limited space and need to transport or upload it home daily without having to get off the scooter.

NEED TO TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES?

If you need to travel long distances, it is best to opt for a scooter that has a greater distane.

To know the distance you can travel, you have to look at the Ah of the batteries. The Ah (Amps/Hour) tell us the charging capacity of each battery. The more Ah, the more distance the scooter will have.

The range indicates the time or distance that the scooter can use without the need to recharge it. It should be noted that at a higher speed, greater weight of the occupant, climbing slopes… the higher the battery demand and less time the charge will last.

WHY IS THE TYPE OF TERRAIN GOING TO MAKE THE DISPLACEMENTS?

The type of terrain you are going to travel on is also very important when choosing the scooter.

Mainly, three fundamental elements will be involved here: the type of wheels, the damping of the scooter and the power.

THE WHEELS

The wheels are an element of wear and with use, it may be necessary to replace them. There are 2 types of wheels: pneumatic and solid.

Solid wheels are harder and stronger, but being rigid they transmit more ground vibrations. Filming will cause them to lose their homogeneous shape by slightly increasing that effect.

Pneumatic wheels better absorb impacts and adhere more to the ground, so they will make driving a lot more comfortable, especially if you travel long distances or have to go through uneven terrain, curbs…

You’ll usually find solid wheels on low-end, pneumatic scooters on mid-high-end scooters.

SUSPENSION

Suspension or damping is the system that has the scooter in order to protect the person driving from rebounds, impacts or vibrations. They allow the scooter to absorb possible terrain irregularities and make it more impact resistant.

Scooters can have front, rear or independent 4-wheel cushioning. For people with hip or back discomfort it is highly recommended that the scooter has shock absorbers, at least in the rear.

POWER

The power of the scooter will be given by the watts provided by the engine. The more power, the lower the difficulties with tilts and lowers, and it will also support higher weight user loads.

To make it clearer, if you have, for example, a ride on a terrain that is uneven and has cobblestones, and you also need to climb some slope, we would recommend that the scooter had pneumatic wheels, cushioning and a minimum power of 400W.

However, if you are driving on smooth terrain without great inclinations, it would be enough to buy a scooter with solid wheels, without suspension and without great power.

CAN YOU TRANSPORT THE SCOOTER ON A PLANE?

If you plan to travel by plane and take the scooter, it is important that you know the limitations that are commonly applied by flight companies.

Allowing you to fly with the scooter will depend on the batteries:

Lithium batteries: The main limitation is that each battery does not exceed 160Wh. For this you would have to multiply the volts of each battery by the amps of it.

For example, if the scooter mounts two 24V and 6.6Ah batteries its multiplication (24Vx6.6Ah) results in 158.4Wh and in principle you should have no problem flying with your airline.

For batteries over 160Wh, the companies are applying different criteria, so it is advisable to consult with the flight company the possibility and conditions for the transport of the scooter.

Conventional batteries: In this case, the usual requirement of companies is that the batteries are not wet (non-spillable electrolyte).

Almost all scooters that have conventional (non-lithium) batteries mount Gel or VRLA batteries, so there should be no problems when travelling by plane. However, you should always check with the company to indicate if you can access them with the chair until the finger, if you must disconnect the batteries, pack them separately…

we recommend that before flying consult with your airline the conditions you have for the transport of mobility scooter.

ARE YOU A VERY LARGE OR HEAVY PERSON WHO NEEDS A COMFORTABLE AND RESISTANT SCOOTER?

It is very important that you buy a scooter that adapts properly to your weight since otherwise, it will not offer you the expected performance. In the technical specifications of all scooters, you will find the maximum weight for which it has been designed.

If you are a very large or heavy person, we recommend that the purchase be aimed at a sturdy scooter as they usually have the most comfortable seat, the larger wheels, the most solid chassis and have more power so that you can drive it almost where you want without any problem.

WHAT BUDGET DO YOU HAVE?

Once you have answered all the above questions, you will know how to select the type of scooter that meets your needs. You only have to look at the price offered by the different brands that cover the same type of need.

Let no obstacle stand in your way!

TYPES OF ELECTRIC MOBILITY SCOOTERS

In this section we will differentiate the types of scooter that exist in the market, with their main advantages and disadvantages, and we will give you some examples of those that are currently marketed for this category.

THE LOADING AND UNLOADING PROCESS

They usually have 4 or 5 parts that are disassembled and mounted quickly and without the need for tools. These allow you to load the parts separately and make the loading and unloading process easier when you move or store your scooter.

LIGHT SCOOTERS

Being small scooters and designed for transport the maximum weight supported is usually at 100kg and almost all have batteries that do not exceed 16km.

There are some scooters that are also being detachable brands have provided them with more amperage batteries and more comfortable seats but in these cases charging and unloading it is a little more difficult as the weight will be greater.

We can also find one in this category with lithium batteries that solves the weight problem giving more autonomy to the scooter. Most models of these scooters are available in version 3 and 4 wheels.

RECOMMENDED DETACHABLE SCOOTERS
PICTURES…………………………………………

FOLDING SCOOTERS

Folding scooters are those that can be stored compactly and allow to be transported with their own wheels as a trolley type suitcase.

SMALL AND LIGHT SIZE

These scooters are usually quite small in size and in most cases their battery is lithium and can be removed for charging outside the scooter.

They are a good option if the use that will be given is for a well paved floor and without great irregularities since its wheels are solid and somewhat smaller than that of the other scooters.

It is also highly recommended for those people who need to transport it frequently because thanks to its large folding it can be stored and transported comfortably and allows to go back and forth with the scooter even as if it were a suitcase.

DESIGNED FOR SHORT AND MEDIUM DISTANCES

As for their battery, these models are usually designed for short and medium distances. It is ideal as a second scooter when it comes to being able to store it in the trunk of the car and be able to transport it to spend a day in your city, as a family or a shopping center.

MANUAL OR ELECTRIC FOLDING

The folding of these scooters can be manual or electric with remote control. Scooters that have electric folding with remote control have the advantage that you will not have to make any effort when picking up the scooter to be transported.

SOMETHING HEAVIER THAN DETACHABLES

As an inconvenience is that in these cases scooters are usually somewhat heavier than the detachable ones to lift it from the ground (since they are not separated by parts) although in most cases you can remove the armrests and the battery to make them somewhat lighter.

RECOMMENDED FOLDING SCOOTERS

PICTURES……………………………………..

MEDIUM SCOOTERS

These medium scooters are specially designed for those who are looking for the handling of a small scooter but do not want to give up the equipment and high performance of a more category scooter.

THE PERFECT ALLY TO GO OUTDOORS

They are less practical to go indoors but are a perfect ally to go outdoors as they have more battery and take more speed.

MORE DISTANCE AND COMFORT
The maximum weight supported in these types of scooters is greater than on folding and small scooters, usually around 135kg. In addition, the maximum range exceeds 25km and can reach up to 40km on some of the scooters with the most battery capacity.

The engines are also more powerful and the larger wheels being on almost all pneumatic models. In addition to add more comfort, you can find in some models front and rear cushioning and seats with high backrests and headrests.

THEY’RE NOT DETACHABLE
The length of these scooters is usually around 110cm and 130cm and do not disassemble in parts. However, some, like the Invacare Leo can disassemble their batteries for easy transport and charging.

RECOMMENDED MEDIUM SCOOTERS

PICTURES……………………………….

LARGE OR ROBUST SCOOTERS
These large mobility scooters are much more attractive in design and virtually all have high-end features such as high and comfortable backrests, front and rear turn signals with energy-efficient LED lights, USB socket for charging electronic devices, large pneumatic wheels and 4-wheel integral suspension.

GREATER POWER, SPEED AND AUTONOMY
The maximum weight supported on these scooters is a minimum of 150kg and they have engines with high power allowing to reach speeds of up to 12km/h and a range almost 50km.

IDEAL FOR LONG JOURNEYS
They are recommended for long journeys or for use in terrains that are somewhat more irregular and require a scooter that mitigates potholes. They are also designed for overweight people as they are much more stable and comfortable.

MORE ROBUST AND HEAVY
The storage and transport of these scooters is somewhat more complicated, they are quite heavy, they are not usually removable and the measurements are no longer as compact as in the lower categories.

The length of these scooters is usually between 140cm and 160cm but as mentioned above there are brands that can adapt this length if you have any space limitations or need to transport it on a regular basis.

LARGE SCOOTERS RECOMMENDED

PICTURES………….

COMPONENTS OF ELECTRIC SCOOTERS
Wheels
The wheels are an element of wear and with use it may be necessary to replace them.

There are 2 types of wheels, pneumatic and solid:

Solid wheels are hard and sturdy, but being rigid they transmit more terrain vibrations. Filming will cause them to lose their homogeneous shape by slightly increasing that effect.

Pneumatic wheels better absorb impacts and stick more to the ground, so they will make driving a lot more comfortable, especially if you travel long distances or have to go through uneven terrain, curbs…

You will usually find solid wheels on low-end and pneumatic scooters on mid-high-end scooters.

In the market you will find 3 and 4 wheel scooters. Most of the scooters sold are 4 wheels.

If you have to move through very small spaces you can rate a 3-wheelone, since they have less turning radius, but if not, we recommend that you choose a 4-wheel model, as they have greater stability when it comes to making turns, climbing sidewalks…

Seat
The seat characterizes comfort in the driving position. They can usually be rotated 360o for easy access and exit, have folding armrests and can be adjustable in height and depth.

If you are a person of high volume or weight, we recommend that you observe the dimensions of the seat to ensure a comfortable position while driving.

In this case the best option is to buy a scooter that has the seat with a high backrest. These can be found on some medium scooters and virtually all large or sturdy scooters.

Battery
The Ah (Amps/hour) tells us the battery’s charging capacity. The more Ah, the more autonomy your scooter will have.

The range indicates the time or distance you can use the scooter without recharging. The higher the speed, the higher the occupant’s weight, the higher the slopes… the higher the battery demand and less time the charge will last.

Battery life can range from 6 months to 6-7 years, as it depends a lot on the frequency and intensity of use, user weight, slopes, depth of each discharge, continuous or stopped circulation, correct charging process…

There are two types of batteries: Gel/AGM batteries and lithium batteries.

Lithium batteries have greater longevity, better response to demanding demands such as slopes, faster charging process, and better tolerance for deep discharges and irregular loads.

Lower weight – higher performance:

• Lithium batteries 20Ah – 4kg – autonomia max. 25km
• Gel/AGM batteries 12Ah – 10kg – autonomia max. 16km
• Gel/AGM batteries 20Ah – 17kg – autonomia max. 20km
Very low self-discharge rate: When we save a battery, it is progressively discharged even if we do not use it. For gel/AGM batteries letting the charge drop below 15% is very harmful and can end battery life.

With lithium batteries you can rest assured when not using your scooter for a few periods as they keep the charge much better by extending its service life.

• Lithium batteries: 6% monthly discharge
• Gel/AGM batteries: more than 20% per month
Currently on the market you can find lithium batteries mainly on small and folding scooters.

Brakes
Scooters are very safe in braking as they have an electromagnetic brake system that makes when you release the throttle lever, the scooter alone reduces its speed until it stops completely.

This avoids any risk of unintentional acceleration, maintaining absolute control of the vehicle at all times.

This is called ‘passive brake’ and is the safest braking system. It works even if the scooter is off or in the middle of a slope.

OCCUPANT’S WEIGHT
The weight and height of the user are important factors when choosing the scooter, since they significantly influence the comfort of the person and the performance of the vehicle:

• Below 90kg any scooter is valid for normal use.
• Above those 90 kg, we recommend valuing a medium scooter.
• After 110kg we recommend that you look for a model with greater power and dimensions,which allows to increase autonomy, reduce wear and overcome obstacles or slopes more easily.
Speed
Scooters are not usually at high speeds as they are designed for quiet use.

Usually any scooter reaches 6 km/h, speed more than enough to accompany the passage of a person who walks next to us.

Medium and large scooters can reach higher speeds (up to 15 km/h), allowing you to cope with long distances in less time.

Handlebar
You can find two types of handlebars: the simple bar-shaped and the closed or ergonomic one that allows you to rotate the direction by ‘pushing’ or ‘pulling’ the handlebars, as it suits the driver.

The ergonomic handlebar is very useful for people who have mobility problems in the arms or little force, as it greatly facilitates rotation with much less effort, while relaxing the riding position on arms and shoulders.

LIGHTS, FLASHERS AND REARVIEW MIRRORS
These elements contribute to safer driving for both the user and the pedestrians around them.

The lights and flashers warn our environment of our intentions to turn or brake, avoiding running over anyone.

Mirrors are very useful when backing down, especially for those who have difficulty turning around.

CHASIS/PARAGOLPES
The chassis is the skeleton of the scooter and helps to give robustness to the whole. It is also an element that characterizes the aesthetics of the vehicle.

Some models have small front and/or rear bumpers that are useful to avoid breaking or rubbing the housing or lights in case of small impacts when manoeuvring the scooter.

WEIGHT AND DIMENSIONS OF THE SCOOTER
The higher the weight of the scooter, the greater stability it will offer. Logically it will also take more effort to operate manually, but all scooters have a disseed lever that allows them to be easily moved in slolock.

Generally, the larger the scooter the higher the performance and the greater the stability and comfort it offers.

MAINTENANCE OF ELECTRIC SCOOTERS
In the instructions indicated by each manufacturer you will find the best way to keep your scooter in perfect condition. Here are some general measures for maintenance.

PARTS OF THE SCOOTER
• General cleaning
• Humidity and temperature
• The battery
• The wheels
Cleaning
Keeping the scooter clean is important for several reasons: not only for an aesthetic appearance, but it will also help prevent dust or dirt from coming into contact with the moving parts of the scooter, increasing its longevity.

If you are not going to use the scooter for a long period or the place where you store it is prone to dust, it is advisable to cover it with a cover.

Never use a hose or put the scooter in direct contact with water. The body of the vehicle has a plastic layer that allows its cleaning with a rag.

Don’t use chemicals to clean the seat, as they can make it sliding or deteriorate the material that makes up it. To clean it use a cloth with slightly soapy water and dry it well.

HUMIDITY AND TEMPERATURE
You must avoid any humid environment for your scooter. Direct exposure to water or moisture can cause electrical or mechanical damage.

If you have used the vehicle in the rain, dry it later with a cloth to avoid any risk of oxidation.

Place the scooter in a dry, warm place to allow it to evaporate moisture and then do operational checks before reuse.

Also dry the seat to maintain the quality of the fabric or leather that makes up it.

Some scooter components are susceptible to extreme temperature changes. Always keep it in normal temperature ranges.

Under very cold temperatures, batteries can freeze. The freezing temperature depends on several factors such as load, use or composition.

Temperatures above 38oC can cause your scooter to run at reduced speed to protect engine damage and electrical components.

Battery
The battery is surely the most important element when it comes to maintaining the scooter. If the battery has any manufacturing defects, it will manifest from the beginning with a very fast discharge. If so, contact your dealer immediately.

With the use and passage of time, the capacity of any battery is decreasing so it will discharge faster and you will have to recharge it more frequently.

It is difficult to estimate the duration of a battery because it depends on many factors, it can range from 6 months to 6-7 years, since it depends on the frequency of use, intensity of use, user weight, slopes, depth of each discharge, continuous circulation or with stops, correct charging process.

Read these instructions carefully to optimize the life of your batteries:

FULL CHARGE CYCLES
Deep full charge cycles will provide higher performance and longer battery life. Keep batteries fully charged whenever possible.

Batteries that are discharged deeply, which are not charged after each use or that are subjected to only partial charges, will suffer accelerated wear, less autonomy and shorten their service life.

CHARGE IT AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK
If you do not use the scooter regularly, we recommend charging at least once a week.

If you plan not to use the scooter for a long period, perform a full charge, disconnect the battery and store the scooter in a dry place. Avoid storing your scooter in extreme environments (cold or hot).

Wheels
Your scooter’s wheels will wear out over time and use.

Solid wheels are not at risk of puncture but being hard less cushioning terrain irregularities. As you use them, this phenomenon will be noticed more.

Pneumatic wheels do not need maintenance (only periodically check that the pressure is adequate). These wheels absorb impacts better and adhere better to the ground, so they will make driving much more comfortable, especially if you travel long distances or have to go through uneven terrain, curbs…

If you are not going to use the scooter for a long time, it is advisable to lift it so that the wheels do not touch the ground and avoid deformations of the tyers.