If you think back, you probably have some memories of riding a scooter when you were a kid. Can you remember those unstable, 2-wheeled vehicles that we used to ride with our friends all over the neighborhood? Until a few years ago, scooters were nothing more than toys for children, but nowadays, that has all changed with the emergence and popularity of electric bikes.
However, if you’re thinking about purchasing such a vehicle for yourself, you might be wondering – what is the technology behind electric scooters and how do they actually work? Luckily, this is exactly what we’ll discuss in this article today, so without further ado, let’s take a closer look at what you should know:
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The Emergence of E-Scooters
As we mentioned, manual or kick scooters have been around for a really long time, and in the last few years, the popularity of these vehicles has increased exponentially. If you think about it, one of the reasons behind this is that the design and advertising of E-bikes are no longer directed to children only.
Of course, they still advertise these vehicles to younger people, especially college students that need affordable transportation, people who reside and work in urban cities, as well as individuals who are looking for alternative transportation means that will be both Eco-friendly and efficient.
Besides younger generations, children can still use them, especially since they’re appealing to everyone. After all, they’re relatively simple vehicles, with a sleek and modern design, and an even easier way to operate them. However, what is the technology behind these alternative transportation means?
So, What’s The Technology Behind Electric Scooters?
Similar to their non-battery powered predecessor, electric scooters are quite straightforward as well. If we look at the simplest designs out there, they’re most commonly made from several important components – a deck or platform, the handlebars with brakes and throttle, two wheels (though there are models featuring four or three), as well as the rear and front suspension system.
By choosing an advanced model such as the one featured on turboant, you’ll be able to fold them in order to store them efficiently, and in some cases, you could even purchase a model that has a seat. When it comes to the variations on the market, there are many, however, all of them do have the same key features that power the vehicle, including:
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The Battery
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If you do some digging, you’ll learn that there are three types of batteries that you can opt for including lead-acid, lithium-ion, and nickel-metal hydride. Each of them is different in its own way, which is something you’ll need to learn in order to choose the most suitable one for yourself.
With nickel-metal hydride batteries, you’ll be able to have a longer charge, which means that you’ll be able to use the bike for a longer time and they’re also quite cost-effective. However, they’re heavier than other options out there, meaning that it might be difficult for a child to carry it around.
Lead-acid batteries are rechargeable and they’re used as a power source for a wide range of vehicles, including golf carts. They’re relatively inexpensive and you’ll find this option in larger models. Last are lithium-ion batteries and since they’re newer on the market, they’re also more expensive.
However, there is a good reason behind this – they are more powerful, they can hold the charge longer than any of the aforementioned options, and they’re quite lightweight. An increasing number of scooters will feature this battery, meaning that you could easily find it on the market.
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The Speed, Traveling Distance, And Capacity
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The appeal of these electric bikes doesn’t only revolve around being modern and popular, they’re also extremely practical, especially for adults that need to get from point A to point B every day. Since the layout and design of the scooters are smaller, the size of the battery is, in most cases, smaller than a cable box.
What does this mean? Well, it means that the general performance has its own limits. And, this is especially important for the range, speed, as well as capacity of the electric bike. The speed and range aren’t only determined by the battery capacity, but by the terrain, you use it on as well.
Most manufacturers provide people with the perfect set of features that’ll allow them to gain the best speed and range, and it’s most situations, the scooters are described as perfect for a 165lbs rider using the vehicle on flat and smoother terrains. Although they can reach 20mph, there are some newer models that can reach the 30mph mark, however, the rider will unlikely reach this speed.
But, you’ll need to keep in mind that they’re not designed for long distances trips, instead, they’re meant for urban environments where people need an affordable transportation option that will allow them to comfortably get from one point to the next. Additionally, since it’s not as fast as other vehicles, you can ensure that you remain safe on the roads, meaning that you can lower the chances of getting into an accident and injuring yourself.
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It’s All About The Battery
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By now, it’s probably pretty clear that these scooters are powered by batteries. It’s relatively simple to understand how they function, mostly because the layout and design are simple. For starters, the manufacturers will mount the motor onto the frame of the E-scooter.
Through a set of wires, the power produced by the battery is moved back to the motor, and depending on the make, type, and model you opted for, the motor might make either the front or both wheels to push or rotate the vehicle forward. As mentioned, since the battery and motor are smaller, they don’t usually cross the 20 or 30mph mark.
Conclusion
Electric scooters are slowly, but surely becoming one of the most popular alternative transportation means. Besides it being affordable and cost-efficient in the long run, they’re also Eco-friendly and you won’t need any funds for maintaining or powering the vehicle you purchase.
So, now that you’re aware of how these E-scooters work, you might not want to lose any more of your time. Instead, if you decided that you want to purchase such a vehicle for yourself, start browsing online and brick-and-mortar businesses in order to find a model that will suit your needs and budget.
