The ultimate beginner's guide to electric scooters is provided here, along with information on what you should know before buying, resources for helping you choose a scooter, a description of the scooter purchasing process, and e-scooter fundamentals so you can understand what needs to be maintained, how often, and where to get replacement parts.
In Australia, electric scooters are legal in some states, and are restricted to 200W max motor output in others. Oftentimes, the rules that apply to bicycles and electric bicycles and/or shared e-scooters apply to privately owned electric scooters for adults. Be sure to check your local laws to make sure you're allowed to ride the scooter that you want on public or private roads.
Along with setting a realistic budget for purchasing an adult electric scooter, you should include safety gear and replacement parts in your budget as well. If you don't have proper protection or spare parts when you need them, you could get injured or be left doing the walk of shame. Be sure to purchase your scooter as well as consider what other things you'll need to get on the road safely.
At VoroMotors, we provide our customers with everything they need to keep their scooters running long-term. Along with a one-year limited warranty for new electric scooters, we have have experienced technicians and a strong support team to help you keep things going. Our scooters can last for years with proper upkeep, and responsive, comprehensive customer support makes it easier to ride for years to come.
Whether you know how to fix your scooter yourself or prefer to bring it to electric scooter service centers near you -- you'll need to maintain your scooter to keep it running every day. Avoid downtime by gaining basic maintenance skills, like how to tune disc brakes, change tyres or inner tubes, refilling hydraulic fluid, and replacing brake pads.
Look for the performance and size that provides the best balance for your needs and riding capabilities. Your history riding on two wheels and intended use can help you choose the best electric scooter if you plan to use it to replace your automobile for daily mobility, you'll want something with lots of range and good speed. If you want a convertible ride, you could get something like the EMOVE Cruiser, which converts from a stand-up scooter to a seated scooter by adding a detachable seat. Based on the scooter's performance and the estimated riding ability of the rider, we grade scooters as beginner, commuter, luxury commuter, and expert.
💡 Scooter Fact
Just because it’s the newest, fastest scooter doesn't make it something you should drive. If you don't have experience driving on two wheels (bikes, BMX, motorcycles, other PEV), riding a fast electric scooter takes more practice than you'd expect.
Although learning to ride an electric scooter doesn't take long, some high performance models are more than most people are able to drive -- both in speed and physical weight.
Similar to cars, an electric scooter's specifications will have a significant impact on both its price and performance. Advanced vehicles require skilled drivers.
Even our entry-level electric scooter, the EMOVE Touring, will perform slightly better than shared scooters if your only experience is with riding rentals. It's top speed is around 15-24 kph and its range is quadruple that of shared scooters.
With a year or more experience riding PEV, you’ve probably figured out how fast and far you’re comfortable riding, and looking for more advanced features.
Here’s categories for beginner, commuter, luxury commuter, and expert electric scooters, matching rider experience with estimated top speed, estimated range, and feature package.
Beginner
Experience: Novice to Beginner
Features: Performance
Top Speed
40-48 km/h
Range
40-48 km/h
Commuter
Experience: Beginner to Intermediate
Features: Long-Range Performance
Top Speed
48-64 km/h
Range
56-121 km/h
Luxury Commuter
Experience: Intermediate
Features: Luxury Performance
Top Speed
64-89 km/h
Range
88-129 km/h
Expert
Experience: Intermediate to Expert
Features: Extreme Performance
Top Speed
86+ km/h
Range
105 km/h
Beginner
Experience: Novice to Beginner
Features: Performance
Top Speed
40-48
km/h
Range
48-80 km
Commuter
Experience: Beginner to Intermediate
Features: Long-Range Performance
Top Speed
48-64
km/h
Range
56-121
km
Luxury Commuter
Experience: Intermediate
Features: Luxury Performance
Top Speed
64-89
km/h
Range
88-129
km
Expert
Experience: Intermediate to Expert
Features: Extreme Performance
Top Speed
86+ km/h
Range
105+ km
Now that you have a better idea of what you should know before buying and the types that are available, here are some resources to help you pick an electric scooter.
When looking for a new electric scooter, you should consider:
You could want a seat if you plan to go over long distances, but only if you don't require a little scooter. Your riding environment, riding history, and size (height and weight) determine how you should shop, regardless of whether you commute or ride for fun.
The scooter's weight typically increases to match its "better" performance. Balance your desires with what is practical given your living and working circumstances if you want something that is extremely powerful but not also extremely portable.
💡 Scooter Fact
Do you drive your car at its top speed most of the time? (Hopefully not!) We provide estimates for the maximum range and speed you can expect when the scooter is performing optimally, and based on ideal conditions. If you ride your scooter at its max speed all the time, you'll exhaust the battery each trip and affect its overall lifespan.
You will likely need to perform routine maintenance on your electric scooter. Whether you want to do it yourself or have a specialized technician assist you, knowing the basics of how electric scooters work will help you keep yours running.
You want to be able to park your e-scooter indoors, either in a garage or inside another similar space, so it is protected from extreme temperatures and moisture. If you will be driving your scooter as your main form of transportation and need to leave it outdoors while running errands, you can lock it to bike racks or poles nearby.
Here's a video showing you how to complete your purchase.
We provide our customers free shipping across Australia, a one-year warranty, and dedicated support from our experienced team. You can get parts and accessories from us when you need them, and we can help you repair your scooter (we've got tutorial videos!).
Before your scooter arrives, you can get acquainted with riding and your scooter by watching some videos online.Got questions? Find scooter-specific unboxing and setup demos, maintenance how-to’s and other helpful information in our extensive self-help center (FAQs).
Don't worry if you don't yet speak scooter. The basic parts of most electric scooters are the same. With a folding mechanism, the stem joins the deck to the cockpit. Although some models feature a twin stem, most scooters have a single stem. The ride sensation is significantly influenced by how sturdy the folding mechanism is; unstable mechanisms cause stem wobble. The majority of stand-up scooters come with the basic parts as well as front and rear fenders to keep you clean when riding, a kickstand to support the scooter when parked, and a lighting package that may include headlights, deck lights, turn signals, and a taillight (s). Here is a schematic that will help you understand the basic functions of the brakes, throttles, tyres, and other components of scooters.
Most electric scooters contain lithium ion (li-ion) batteries stored in the deck. The voltage is the number of cells in a pack. The capacity that can be stored is measured in amp-hours (Ah). In general, the higher the amps, the longer the runtime.
Here’s two extremes: the EMOVE Touring has a 48V 13 Ah battery for 624 Wh of capacity or about 48 km of range. Well-constructed batteries are monitored and regulated by a BMS (battery management system).
➕ High energy density; rapid charging
➕ Long battery life
➕ BMS regulation
➖Extreme temperatures are harmful
➖ Poor maintenance can make the battery useless
💡 Scooter Fact
Calculate estimated runtime in watt-hours (Wh) by finding the product of battery volts (V) and current (Ah). For example, the EMOVE Touring has a 48V 13 Ah battery for 624 Wh of usage or between 30 to 50 kilometres of range, depending on how you ride.
Rubber makes up all of the tyres of electric scooters, however some are solid and others are inflated with air. Pneumatic (air-filled) tyres have an internal chamber that makes them vulnerable to punctures, but the air inside them makes them conform to the road and offer excellent traction. Solid tyres have far less road contact, which results in less traction, but their sturdy, substantial construction makes them flat-proof. A scooter with mixed tyres has a solid back tyre and an air-filled front tyre.
Air-filled tyres provide better ride quality ranging in diameter from 10” to 15” with a width between 2” to 4”. In general, as tire size increases, so does stability.
How much traction you can acquire depends on the tread and contact patch (the region that makes contact with the ground). Off-road tyres offer a broader contact patch and a higher tread for a more stable ride over uneven terrain. For quicker turns on smooth roads, street tyres often feature a reduced tread depth and rounder profiles.
Inner tube and tubeless pneumatic (air-filled) tyres are the two major types. Whereas tubed tyres (inner tubes) have an outside tyre and an air seal inside the tubing, tubeless tyres just have an exterior tyre and seal to the rim. To stop air leaks from punctures, tubeless tyres may come with tyre sealant. These tyres are often referred to as run-flat, self-sealing, or no-flat tyres.
💡 Scooter Fact
You can add tire sealant to inner tube tires, but there are different formulas of tire sealant for tubed and tubeless. Our Doctor Orange Tire Sealant is designed for scooters with tubeless tires, like the EMOVE Cruiser and Kaabo Wolf King GT.
Electric scooter brakes, which aid in slowing down the scooter, are often actuated by hand levers. The majority of electric scooters use disc brakes, which provide the most stopping force but also need considerable maintenance because they are exposed. Drum brakes are common on shared scooters and scooters for new riders since they are enclosed, durable, and require little maintenance.
💡 Scooter Fact
Heat is crucial in determining how well the brakes can work. When you press the brakes quickly, the friction causes the brakes to heat up. Disc brakes have all of their parts in the open, allowing air to circulate and cool the calipers and pads. Drum brakes are typically not used on high-performance scooters since they are placed inside the wheel, where heat has nowhere to travel and can reduce stopping effectiveness.
Disc brakes can be entirely hydraulic, semi-hydraulic, or mechanical (hybrid hydraulic). The amount of physical pressure you exert on the brake levers directly affects how forcefully the brakes apply when using mechanical disc brakes. Fluid inside the brake cables of hydraulic and semi-hydraulic brakes raises inside pressure, making it simpler to apply the brakes with less exertion.
💡 Scooter Fact
Remember that learning to maintain a scooter with hydraulic brakes will take a little more time than one with mechanical brakes. You should learnhow to refill hydraulic fluid, and how to tune the disc.
Tires and suspension work together to keep you firmly planted on the ground. Compared to stiff suspension, soft suspension will be better at absorbing bumps and dampening rebound, but because it is more flexible, your movements will more easily affect the scooter's balance and handling. When the scooter's suspension is rigid, the contact patch is maintained better, improving handling. If your body is not also reacting to the road's flaws, you will feel them more when you strike them.
💡 Scooter Fact
A comfortable ride is not entirely dependent on suspension, according to experienced riders. They respond to bumps using their stance and posture, deflecting some of the force of the scooter with their body. To absorb some of the bumps, maintain a bend in your limbs and torso rather than riding stiff and tall.
The most popular suspension type for electric scooters offers a soft response and good handling; it often has springs on both the front and back ends. When used on the front fork of Kaabo Wolf scooters, hydraulic suspension offers good cushioning, improved handling, and a medium responsiveness.
The wheels are where the electric scooter motors are located. The motor is often located in the back wheel of single-motor scooters. In dual motor scooters, each wheel has a motor that typically has the same power. E-scooter motors range in power from 500 to 5750 watts (W), with more powerful motors producing higher speeds.
💡 Scooter Fact
The majority of adult single-motor electric scooters aren't made to support heavier, taller users (they're just not). For the best long-term performance, we advise dual motor electric scooters for adults above 81 kg.
The controller, which controls and coordinates the scooter's motors, batteries, and electrical components, is the brain of the scooter. Although they can be put in other parts, they are typically housed in the deck. While more modern, high-tech electric scooters feature sine wave controllers, the majority of them have square wave controllers. Think of the controllers as different sorts of light switches, with square waves acting like a light switch (all/nothing) and sine waves acting like a dimmer dial (roll on/roll off). The controllers deliver power in very different ways. Although less common because they are more expensive, sine wave controllers distribute power in a steady pattern, making it simpler to modify acceleration at any speed.
The scooter's speed is controlled by the throttle, which functions as an accelerator. The trigger throttle, which is typically found on electric scooters, is controlled with your index finger and is a part of the LCD display. There are various types of thumb throttles that you can use by applying pressure either horizontally or vertically. The twist throttle can occupy all or a portion of the right handgrip, and in order to operate it, you must grip it with both hands, not just one. The LCD display for scooters with thumb and twist throttles is a related but independent device.
The throttle, LCD display button consoles (Eco/Turbo, Single/Dual, lights), horn/bell, voltmeter, keystart ignition, fingerprint reader, and brake levers are all part of the scooter's cockpit. The features on an electric scooter work best for a particular user depends on which models have more advanced cockpits than others.
Trigger throttles offer quick acceleration with a hair trigger response, but it can be challenging to change or maintain speeds, and your hand is kept in an awkward position. Your thumb and other fingers can stay attached to the handgrip or the brakes since just your index finger is used.
💡 Scooter Fact
You can respond more quickly if you "cover the brakes" while riding or keep a few fingers on the brake levers. To retain control, you should maintain a tight grip on the handlebars with both hands while yet having easy access to the throttle and brakes. When riding in the trigger manner, it's typical to maintain your index finger on the throttle, your middle and ring fingers on the brakes, and your thumb anchored around the handgrip. Pinky has complete freedom.
The majority of entry-level scooters have thumb throttles because they are simple to use and the hand position seems natural, but they make it harder to maintain a firm grasp on the handlebar and brake lever. These can also be found on some more recent dual motor scooters. Thumb throttles can have a dead zone, or area where the throttle doesn't respond, which you have to press past in order to accelerate.
Although less popular on stand-up electric scooters, twist throttles are simple to use. Although the position of your hand is usually comfortable, maintaining speed requires you to twist it and hold it there, which can put your wrist in an awkward position and prevent you from covering the brakes while throttling. It also frequently has a deadzone, but because this is less frequent on faster scooters, the problem isn't as severe.
➕Quick acceleration
➕Easy to cover brakes and throttle
➖Hard to apply gradually
➖Hand position can be awkward
➕All fingers stay on handlebar grips
➕Hand position is comfortable
➖Difficult to cover the brakes while throttling
➖Can have a dead zone
➕Easy to operate
➕Easy to modulate acceleration
➖Difficult to cover brakes while throttling
➖Have to hold wrist in position to hold speed
The majority of electric scooters come with an LCD display already mounted, frequently next to the throttle. Most are backlit, making it possible to see clearly in low light or at night. Typically, they contain button consoles for lights, horns, and power modes in addition to a few buttons to turn on and manage performance settings (P-settings). The EY3 and some other LCD screens have a USB connector on the back for firmware updates.
💡 Scooter Fact
The USB port on LCD displays is primarily intended for firmware updates and is not intended to be used to power other devices. Even if it frequently has enough electricity, depending on how much power you use, the display may be damaged or even destroyed.
Don't be duped by any top electric scooter lists you may have read. There isn't a waterproof electric scooter on the market. Many products, known as IP ratings, which set standards for how well sealed a product is against water damage, have water or ingress protection ratings. A product's IP classification indicates that it can resist a specific level of water exposure rather than that it is waterproof.
💡 Scooter Fact
You should normally avoid riding your electric scooter through or under water, even with IP certifications (drizzle or downpour). Even on rated vehicles, water and moisture can infiltrate electronics and render them useless. Check everything carefully and dry it out as much as you can if you get caught in the rain to prevent damage, especially to any exposed electrical sections (like the charging port).
For instance, IPX4 denotes that it can tolerate brief light splashes whereas IPX6 denotes that it can withstand continuous streams of water. No e-scooter is rated as high as IPX8, although electronics with that rating can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes in a good depth.
Independent certification agencies that subject the goods to thorough testing award ratings. IP ratings are not necessary for manufacturers to sell their products, and some ignore them to get their products to market more quickly. That does not imply that their products are of bad quality; rather, it only means that the producer did not spend the extra time and money to get the product graded.
Now that you know all about scooters, join the growing riding community, so you never have to go on this e-scooter adventure alone!
Stay connected with members of the community by joining VORO Forum.
Find a huge community in the electric scooter groups on Facebook. Here are some popular groups:
You may connect with other scooter riders from across the world and share highlights of your scooter journey while also getting assistance on simple fixes.
On our social media pages and blog, we frequently add fresh content, such as comparative and tutorial videos for electric scooters. Our channels are listed here:
Our electric scooters are built to last, and our servicing center and expansive parts warehouse are here to support you long-term. From researching to ordering to shipping to receiving and riding your scooter, we’re here to walk you through all the steps.
Find more about our general shipping policies here.
Most of our electric scooters come with a standard 1-year limited warranty
If, for some reason, you’re unsatisfied with your purchase, we have a reasonable returns and exchanges policy (with some restrictions).
We don't blame you if you've fallen head over heels for electric scooters! They are so good that they can even assist in getting you free stuff or money deposited into your bank account. Every customer who makes a purchase from us receives VORO coins, which may be used in our shop.
Want to earn commission instead of coins? Become a VORO Partner and you’ll earn 5% for every electric scooter referral made with your affiliate links.
Thanks for reading this ultimate guide! Book mark this page so you can return to it when you need it.
If you haven’t figured out which model you want yet, shop the entire collection.
Beginner
Experience: Novice to Beginner
Features: Performance
Top Speed
40-48
km/h
Range
48-80 km/h
Commuter
Experience: Beginner to Intermediate
Features: Long-Range Performance
Top Speed
48-64
km/h
Range
56-121
km/h
Luxury Commuter
Experience: Intermediate
Features: Luxury Performance
Top Speed
64-89
km/h
Range
88-129
km/h
Expert
Experience: Intermediate to Expert
Features: Extreme Performance
Top Speed
86+ km/h
Range
105+ km/h
Beginner
Experience: Novice to Beginner
Features: Performance
Top Speed
40-48 km/h
Range
40-48 km/h
Commuter
Experience: Beginner to Intermediate
Features: Long-Range Performance
Top Speed
48-64 km/h
Range
56-121 km/h
Luxury Commuter
Experience: Intermediate
Features: Luxury Performance
Top Speed
64-89 km/h
Range
88-129 km/h
Expert
Experience: Intermediate to Expert
Features: Extreme Performance
Top Speed
86+ km/h
Range
105 km/h