Top 7 Factors to Consider Before Choosing an Electric Scooter

In India, the adoption of electric scooters has been encouraging. They contribute to more than 50% of overall EV sales in the country. Top electric scooter brands like Ather, Ola, Chetak, TVS, Honda, etc., are launching new models back-to-back to capture the attention of scooter enthusiasts. While there is a plethora of electric two-wheelers in the market, choosing the right one can be challenging. Here are a 7 critical factors you should check before making your decision:

1. Purpose and Usage: Understand the reason why you are buying an electric scooter. For instance, if it’s meant for household chores, you may want to consider a lower-range scooter. If it’s for bumpy roads, you may prefer one with utmost comfort. Remember, not every electric scooter will offer everything, so prioritize your needs. Some may offer the longest battery warranty but lack in after-sales service, and some may provide the highest top speed but lack fast charging options.

2. Range: Once you know the purpose, for example, if you want to use it for a daily commute to your office, which is 50km away from your home, you may want to choose a scooter with a higher range like Simple Energy’s electric scooter ‘Simple One’ that offers 212km on a single charge. Read more about electric scooters with the longest range and largest battery capacity.

3. Battery Capacity: The range claimed by electric scooter brands is correlated with battery capacity. Battery costs constitute almost 50% of the EV’s cost. Knowing the purpose or usage of the scooter will help you choose the right one and save money. Longer range means higher battery capacity and higher cost. For example, the Ola S1 Pro comes with a battery pack of 4kWh, offering a range of 190km, while the Okinawa PraisePro comes with a 2.08kWh battery offering a range of 81km per charge.

4. Battery Life and Warranty: Many misunderstand that an EV’s battery dies after the warranty period; this is not true. Just like phones that come with a one-year warranty but last for years, scooter batteries last longer than the warranty period. However, it’s wise to choose one with a longer warranty for peace of mind. For instance, Ather Energy’s scooters come with an 8-year warranty, showing their confidence in their battery composition.

5. Performance and Speed: While this may not be the most crucial factor, it is worth considering, especially if you plan to travel beyond your city. Electric motors are highly efficient, enabling quicker acceleration than petrol scooters. The Ola S1 Pro Gen 2 has a top speed of 120 km/h, and the TVS X electric scooter can accelerate from 0-40 km/h in 2.6 seconds.

6. Charging Time and Features:

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• Charging Options: Brands like Ather and Ola offer fast charging stations for their customers, but this is not the case with all brands. Most electric scooters come with a charger that can be mounted in your parking slot, either at your office or home. For example, Ather scooters can charge at home between 6-8 hours from 0-100%, while at their charging stations, they can offer 15km with a charge of 10 minutes.
• Removable Batteries: Some electric scooters come with removable batteries that you can take home to charge, like the Honda Vida and Ampere Magnus EX. This is ideal for those who don’t have a charging point in their parking slot. Read more about the top 5 electric scooters with removable batteries.

7. After-Sales Service: Often overlooked, after-sales service plays a vital role in peace of mind. Read reviews from existing owners about their experience with service centers. Choose a brand whose service center is close to your home or office and offers quick service.

Besides these factors, you may want to consider design, features, body build, etc. These vary based on your taste and preference. While you may not find everything you want in one scooter, prioritizing your needs will give you many options.

Now that you know the critical factors to consider while buying electric scooters, let us know in the comments the brand you are looking forward to and why. Do share your experience with them to help others make an informed choice.