How Does an Electric Scooter Work?

Depending on your point of view, electric scooters could be considered an urban nuisance or the newest electric vehicles to grace the travel industry. But one thing’s for sure: they’re here to stay. The best electric scooters have amassed a large market within the past decade, and many purchase them for their convenience and affordable cost. But just how does an electric scooter work?

They are powered by rechargeable batteries and typically require a permit to be driven in public places. An important safety feature is its tires, which need to have a good grip when driving on wet surfaces and should also be properly inflated. Parking an electric scooter is easy, as it can simply be folded up for storage in the trunk of a car or in public parking areas.

If you want to look at different electric scooter models, check out our article comparing the GOTRAX XR Ultra vs Xiaomi M365.

How an Electric Scooter Works

Electric scooters are surprisingly simple devices with only three main parts: a battery, a controller, and a motor. When the rider twists the throttle, the battery releases electric energy, which powers the electric motor that turns the wheels. Overall, it’s a straightforward process, but there are some things users should know about each part before purchasing.

Electric bicycles have battery level indicators to help the rider keep track of their battery levels, while an electric scooter battery may not have this feature. Therefore, it’s important to read up on the specific model you plan to buy so that you can determine how best to monitor the battery levels and anticipate when they need recharging.

If you already own an electric scooter and are having issues, read our piece explaining common reasons why you may ask why won’t my electric scooter move?

The Battery

Scooters come with many different rechargeable battery types. However, the lead-acid battery is the oldest battery technology commonly found in earlier scooter models. Lead-acid batteries are usually bulkier than other types but are also the most affordable.

Recently, advances in battery technology have been made, allowing for newer scooters to be equipped with Li-Ion batteries that offer higher power and capacity than traditional lead-acid batteries. With this increase in battery power and capacity, scooter riders are able to travel longer distances without needing to recharge as frequently.

Lithium-ion is the newest and most powerful battery. While pricier, they have the longest battery life and are smaller and lighter. Lithium-ion batteries are increasingly found in more recent models, mainly because of their eco-friendly design.

A battery’s range is how far you can travel without losing the charge. And as the market grows, more and more manufacturers are coming out with longer-range batteries. For more about this, read our guide on the leading long-range electric scooters.

The Motor

All scooter companies use DC motors, usually located near the rear wheel. Motor power is measured by watts, which determines the scooter’s top speed and ability to drive at an incline.

Two types of motors standard in electric scooters are brushed and brushless. The difference between these two is the mechanism to transfer the electrical current to mechanical power. Brushed motors use carbon brushes to move the electrical current to the rotors. In contrast, brushless motors use an electronic switch to control the flow of electricity.

Overall, most prefer brushless motors as they last longer, are more efficient, and are less complicated. For this reason, most electric scooter manufacturers implement brushless motors into their machines. Yet, some scooters with hub motors and rear hub motors use brushless motor controllers that help regulate the power to achieve maximum efficiency.

If you want to read more about some of the nuances of scooter motors, we have a great piece explaining why to use a 24-volt electric scooter motor.