What Good is an Electric Scooter?
Some Possible Uses
Usefulness
Best Models

Electric scooters are not very good off-road choices, although many will do quite well around campgrounds and other non extreme situations. The primary advantage electric scooters have over gas powered scooters is they are quiet and will not offend a touchy fellow camper or camp ground official.

Their weakness is you must have access to a charging outlet. They are fine if one is available, but even then you don't want to go too far down the trail for fear of running out of juice.

 

eGO2, if you have and RV or big SUV/Van to carry it. The Forsen is even better suited, and the steering column folds. This allows station wagons and large cars with large trunks to carry it.

The ESR-750 is a possible choice because of its portability and power. It doesn't have a suspension, but it should handle campground terrain ok.

Electrics are ideal for carrying in ones car for emergencies when your car needs to be taken to the shop and you have to get to work, etc. There is no gas/oil to spill or dangerous fumes to worry about. The ESR-750 (EX), (Sport), is perfect for carrying in the trunk of ones car for emergencies or when ones needs to put ones car in the shop. It has enough speed and range to get to work from the repair center in most situations.

A trip to the movie theater usually test the limits of electrics scooter range. Most often, one has to go 5-10 miles each way over varying terrain, with no opportunity to charge while at the theater.

You almost certainly have to leave the scooter outside, even smaller more portable types.

 

 The eGO2, Forsen, and Numo Cruiser all have the ability to handle round trips of 15 - 20 miles. The Goped ESR-750 can handle round trips out to about 10 miles.

Electric scooters are probably the best possible choice in vehicles for short quick trips to the local store, convenience market. A few have rear baskets, but mostly one would hang the bag(s) from the handle bars.

 

The eGO2 with the optional folding rear baskets, and an optional towing trailer is the best possible candidate for large shopping loads. The ESR-750(EX) is the best choice for quick access and ease of use. The ESR-750(EX) also can become a large load carrier with the addition of the optional tow wagon. The E-36 and HCF-707 are good choices for light to moderate loads. The powerful Forsen and Numo really aren't setup for carrying packages. The Forsen at least can carry packages on the passenger portion of the dual seat and lash them to the 'sissy bar'. The Numo has no rack or carrying space. One would have to install a bicycle rack to the seat post.

 
The early days of electric scooters featured mostly folding standup light weight scooters. Some of these were light enough to carry aboard mass rail transit, but few had very much speed or power. Currently very few standup scooters remain on the market, and only one, recently returned to the market unit, would be considered light weight.

The ESR-750 Sport is the best choice for public transit and it is not that light weight. The Amplifier A7 is a excellent choice but it is only available until current inventory runs out. The Motorboard 1500X is being re-introduced as the Motorboard 1600X and is the only choice for those needing a really light weight unit.

 

Electric scooters clearly don't belong on the highway with the gas powered machines, but they still make excellent commuting choices for many situations. Electrics can handle round trips commutes of 10-15 miles. They can handle twice those numbers if they can be charged at work .

If a bike rider can commute to your particular work site, then a electric scooter should be able to do the same.

 

 The eGO2, Forsen, and Numo Cruiser are the best commuting choices for commutes longer than 10 miles round trip. The ESR-750(EX) is good up to about 10 miles round trip. If you can charge at work than one can double those range numbers.
When it comes to just leisurely riding, or riding around a resort area electrics are hard to beat. They are quiet and seem to glide along in harmony with the natural surroundings. If steep terrain is not a problem, almost any electric, including cheap ones (if they don't fall apart and leave you stranded) are adequate for a leisurely ride.

Comments: We have not included full-size or moped class electric scooters in the above discussion. We will be determining who is real and who is vaporware, as well as testing some of the available models in the coming weeks.

In almost all states it is illegal for kids under 16 to ride any type of scooter on public roads. If you child will be riding on private property than the Gopeds 750s, the HCF-707 , and the Pukka are excellent choices.