Owning an electric scooter is a delight. Aside from it is low maintenance, it is also very easy on the pocket! But don’t you just find it amazing how something as handy as an electric scooter can go as far as 75 miles when on full charge? Well, unlike the unmotorized kick scooters that rose in popularity decades ago, electric scooters have batteries, electronics, larger tires, and electric motors. These parts work together so your electric scooter can take you to your destination fast and without a hitch. Read on to discover the different parts of an adult electric scooter, according to iScoot:
Deck
See that platform you stand on when riding your scooter? That’s called the deck. It’s commonly rubberized to give you better traction during your ride. If not rubberized, it usually has a textured finish to provide a better grip between your shoes and your scooter. Depending on the model of your electric scooter, you will find that some have the battery pack built into their decks, while some have a more slanted platform to give you extra space for your feet.
Battery
Did you know that the battery of your electric scooter is made up of several individual lithium-ion cells? The capacity of your battery is what determines the range of your scooter, and it’s what keeps it running! Without the energy coming from your battery, your scooter will not run—exactly why it’s called the “gas tank” of your electric scooter.
Brakes
Just like your car, your e-scooter also has a braking system, which is necessary to keep you safe and in control all throughout your ride. Brakes of electric scooters can usually be broken down into two categories—the mechanical brake system which relies on the physical mechanism of slowing the scooter down, and the electronic braking system which relies on using the motor for braking. Usually, the first one will offer much stronger braking than the other.
Controller
If you find something that looks like a rectangular metal can in your scooter with several wires coming out of it, that’s the speed controller. Your controller is what basically tells how much current should flow from your battery to your motor through the input it receives from the accelerator and brake controls. In maintaining your e-scooter, make sure that you always pay attention to your controller because it could be a source of headache when something goes wrong with it!
Handlebars
One of the most visible parts of your e-scooter, your handlebars are fitted with all the controls you need to run your e-ride. You cannot ride your e-scooter without holding onto your handlebars.
Read More: 5 Reasons to Switch to Electric Personal Transportation Devices
Tires
If the handlebars are your connection to your e-scooter, your tires are your connection to the road. They give you traction to accelerate or slow down during an emergency, although the pneumatic type of tires usually works so much better than airless tires because their supple rubber material works well even in adverse road conditions.
Suspension
While many electric scooters do not have this part, you will find this in yours if you own a high-performance e-scooter. Just like the suspensions of motor vehicles, this part of your e-scooter helps improve the quality of your ride even when you’re passing through bumps. Suspension systems of electric scooters can either be spring, hydraulic, or rubber suspension. Some also feature a combination of these suspensions, the most common of which is the coil-over-hydraulic suspension. Well, if your electric scooter does not have a suspension, that’s totally fine. Many e-scooters today forgo this component in favor of big pneumatic tires, which can also offer damping effects and can even be a better option than more affordable spring suspensions.
Motor
If you’re using an adult electric scooter, then most likely, you will find its hub motors built into one or both of its wheels. Depending on how powerful your electric scooter is, it can have either one or two brushless direct current electric motors. The power consumption of your motor will determine the rating of your adult electric scooter, which is usually expressed in units of watts. The more powerful your motor is, the greater wattage it has. Most adult electric scooters have a 250-watt motor, but intermediate and extreme-performance scooters will have between 500 and 1200 watt motors.
Stem
See that folding metal tube connecting the front wheels of your e-scooter to your handlebars? That’s called the stem. Most electric scooters have a folding mechanism built into their stems, but while such mechanism allows for easier carrying and storage, it can also be a source of frustration for some due to instability. You will notice this when you ride your scooter, too. Try applying force to your handlebars and you will find the whole stem of your scooter wobbling. Well, you are less likely to have that issue if you’re using a high-end scooter.
