How Much Does an Electric Scooter Weight?
How much does an electric scooter weigh? This can vary depending on the model and make of the scooter. However, on average, an electric scooter weighs between 15 and 20 kg.
In urban areas, electric scooters can be a great mode of transportation since they are fast, convenient, and Eco-friendly. It offers sufficient range to handle both first- and last-mile trips as well as long-distance travel. With their long-range, electric scooters are becoming increasingly popular as a form of transportation. This is why many riders of e-scooters look for range as an important deciding factor.
Nevertheless, the weight and capacity of the electric scooter are just as important. An electric scooter’s range is also affected by its weight since it determines how far it can go. Because of this, most electric scooters advertise their maximum range with a disclaimer saying that it’s in ideal conditions. As a result of several factors, it is difficult to achieve this maximum range in practice.
When thinking about the range of an electric scooter, you should consider both weight and maximum load when you are considering purchasing one.
What is the electric scooter weight important for?
Weight is determined by the design or the features of a scooter. For this reason, manufacturers do not decide the weight of the scooter upfront. There are, however, consequences. The scooter’s design has a large impact on how it will operate and how it will feel.
The scooter’s portability is primarily determined by its weight. So, the scooter’s folding volume, along with its weight when it is folded, determines how easy it will be to carry. The demand for lighter scooters will always exist, so there’s a virtual arms race to make them lighter. The problem is, it has to be done without sacrificing power. Still, you can only make a scooter as light as it can be. Battery technology is one of the few components that never gets lighter, regardless of how good it gets. Read our scooter battery guide here.
Also, the mass of the scooter can affect its energy efficiency. Weight has a direct relationship to motor load. The lighter the scooter, the less load it has to pull. A lighter scooter requires less energy to cover the same distance as a heavier one, it is a simple law of physics.
However, bigger mass is not always a bad thing.
It is always more stable to ride a heavier scooter than a lighter one. Heavier scooters will always be more stable than those that are lighter. In uneven terrain and on uneven roads, the greater mass will reduce the scooter’s vibrations and shakes. Furthermore, the scooter will be more durable because of its increased stability. In addition, its increased mass will also increase the scooter’s overall durability.
It is also common for lighter scooters to have smaller wheels, resulting in less stability. While it isn’t directly related, there is a connection between a scooter’s weight and the weight the scooter is capable of supporting. Typically, heavier scooters are capable of carrying heavier loads, but this isn’t always the case.
Last but not least, there is often a correlation between the scooter’s maximum speed and range and its weight. The weight comes primarily from the motors and batteries. Due to their heavier weights, scooters will either be faster or have longer ranges. From all of this, it is apparent that each type of scooter has its advantages and disadvantages.
What’s the weight limit on electric scooters?
Rider weight is limited by the model of electric scooter and may range from 120 lbs to 220 lbs. There are also some powerful electric scooters with a big motor (1000 watts+) which can carry more. In the case of the Super Turbo 1000w Elite, it is possible to ride with a maximum weight of about 250 lbs. In addition to this, my scooter (UScooter / E-Two Booster) can do even more. This scooter can accommodate riders up to 275 pounds. This is one of the scooters designed for heavy adults.
Another model has just been recertified: the Swagtron Swagger 5. The model can carry an adult weighing 320 lbs maximum. According to my knowledge, this is the best foldable scooter you can buy for a big person.
Go for a light yet high performing scooter
Choosing the right scooter for yourself is about choosing one that is light and able to perform at the highest level. It needs to have the optimal power to weight ratio based on your body size and weight. Research may be time-consuming, but the results will be worth it. Using a scooter like this will make traveling to your destination extremely convenient and comfortable.
When choosing a scooter, resist the temptation to choose the lightest one available, if it does not have enough durability to endure. A scooter shouldn’t have to be purchased every few years or so. Therefore, you should consider paying a few extra dollars for quality scooters that will perform at the same level every day. With proper maintenance, you can rely on such a scooter to commute for years. Some people use such scooters for pizza delivery.
The bodyweight of the rider should not exceed the upper weight limit of the scooter as this will adversely affect the speed of the vehicle. Hence, choose a scooter that can comfortably accommodate your weight without losing too much speed.
Weight and range
Electric scooters are on the rise due to advances in battery technology. You can use them to get around with ease or race them off-road. Scooters are an exciting purchase, but they can also be a confusing one, given the variety of brands and models available. It can be hard to figure out what the numbers mean because even scooters designed for commuting have a wide variety of specifications.
Most prospective buyers will only look at specifications that are relevant to their daily lives, such as top speed, weight, charging time, and range. Using the last number, you can estimate how far the scooter will travel on a single charge.
For both the Razor power core, the range is listed as 10 miles (16 km). Scooters with higher ranges are also available. This is an estimate, however, and actual conditions may differ.
An ideal range is determined by several factors, including the weight and size of the scooter, the weight of the rider, the terrain, the average speed, the size of the battery, the size of the motor, and the motor efficiency.
Manufacturers of electric scooters calculate range based on a few assumptions that might not apply to many riders, such as an average weight of around 165 lbs (75 kg), an average cruising speed of around 12 miles per hour, and a dry and flat landscape.
Due to such wide variations in conditions, advertised ranges can only serve as a general guideline. We will discuss some of the physics and engineering of electric scooters in the remainder of this article to help you better understand the range capabilities and use your electric scooter to its full potential.
How weight affects the range of your e-scooter
Electric scooters are powered by batteries, motors, and wheels that pull the rider and the scooter as it moves. Moreover, these components are also working against the forces that cause the e-scooter to not move. Therefore, if the e-scooter and rider are heavier, it works twice as hard. The motor and battery deplete faster when they use more power, which means a shorter range.
Additionally, you should be aware of and carefully consider the different forces that are affecting your range. Which are as follows;
Gravity
As you probably know, going uphill is harder than going downhill. That is because gravity pulls us downward. A scooter’s motor faces the challenge of greater gravity when its mass increases, meaning its weight increases as well. This makes it even more difficult to get up those hills. You will see a reduction in your scooter’s overall range if you live in an area with many hills. This means that a lighter scooter will be able to reach farther on hilly terrain and a heavier scooter will be unable to.
Drag
There is a force called drag that moves in the opposite direction of a relative motion. E-scooters use energy and power more to compensate for gravity. Consequently, the range of your e-scooter is decreased.
Rolling resistance
The wheels of a scooter compress slightly when you stand on them, requiring more torque to move them. The wheels under the force of gravity do not always want to move. This is known as rolling resistance. The motor, or rather you, have to make your scooter move (unless you are rolling downhill). A wheel’s rolling resistance increases as gravity increases, so the heavier the scooter and rider, the more difficult it will be for the wheel to move smoothly. The scooter’s motor must work harder and pull more power from the battery to overcome higher rolling resistance because underinflated tires, poorly designed wheels, and worn wheel bearings can all create rolling resistance. Increased rolling resistance means less range because the scooter’s motor must work harder to overcome it.
Weight Capacity
The weight capacity of an electric scooter refers to the maximum load it can carry. Commuter electric scooters for adults typically have a maximum weight capacity of more than 100 pounds. Electric scooters that are high-performance or heavy-duty can tow up to 150 kgs of weight due to their power and battery capacity. Due to the larger battery and motor, they are also heavier.
Why load capacity matters
A crucial consideration when selecting an electric scooter is its weight capacity, which simply means how much weight it can comfortably handle.
Although some heavy-duty electric scooters can carry more weight, they tend to be more expensive and bulkier, so they are difficult to transport. Additionally, if you are heavier than the advertised weight limit of a particular scooter, your safety may be at risk. Therefore, it is extremely important to assess and consider your weight when shopping for an electric scooter.
Weight and power go hand in hand
These scooters also weigh more since they have powerful motors. As the scooter’s power increases, the motor will become larger and heavier, increasing its total weight.
The weight of a scooter is influenced by its size, the size of its battery, and the size of its motor, as mentioned earlier. There are electric scooters that weigh as little as 10 kilograms, so if you’re looking for a scooter for commuting and easily transportable, you should know that you can easily find scooters that come in this weight range.
The scooter should be a convenient means of transportation, more comfortable than a bicycle, so it must be easy to use.
What makes a scooter heavy?
Battery Size
Having a larger battery will theoretically ensure a longer range since it holds more charge. On the other hand, larger batteries add to the weight, limiting mobility. Manufacturers need to identify an optimal size for their scooter’s battery by balancing these two factors.
According to the Electric Scooter Guide, the size of batteries determines the range of an electric scooter. There are several ways to calculate the capacity of a battery, including multiplying the voltage by the ampere-hours (ah) and finding these numbers on the scooter’s specifications (or on the battery itself). A typical scooter has a charge capacity of approximately 250 watt-hours, whereas a monster scooter can run almost three thousand watt-hours.
Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries will lose their capacity over time. Spring notes that a fully charged scooter one-year-old holds less energy than a new scooter, meaning the range will decrease over time. There are, however, ways to maximize your e-scooter battery. Using lights or other accessories can also impact the battery’s life and range.
Motor size
The hub motors of commuter electric scooters are typically built into either one or both wheels. A good balance between power and weight is provided by these motors, which generally range from 250 to 500 watts each. Motors that use electric power are usually highly efficient and make use of a large percentage of the power they generate, though an inefficient motor can significantly decrease range.
While high-performance scooters may have much more powerful motors, they can also be more costly. According to the Wolf Warrior’s specifications, it has two 12-volt motors that deliver speeds of 50 mph and a range of over 40 miles. Is there a reason not all scooters are built as powerfully as off-road or heavy-duty scooters? The Wolf Warrior weighs more than 100 pounds, so it cannot easily be folded up and tucked under a desk.
To get to and from work, to the store, or to zip around town with friends, most people shopping for electric scooters want a balance between fun and utility. The result is that most riders desire scooters that are almost as easy to transport as they are to ride. If the battery capacity and motor size are compromised, a reduced weight can also mean a decreased range. If you want the best scooter for you, it will achieve an ideal balance between all of these variables, depending on where you have to go, what you will encounter along the way, and how long it will take you to reach your destination.
Materials used to make e-scooter
The materials used to make the e-scooter determines the weight of your e-scooter. The materials include steel, aluminum, and sometimes carbon fiber.
Carbon Fibers
The material most commonly used to manufacture lightweight electric scooters is carbon fiber. Because it is durable and weighs very little, it is also used for bikes. The bikes used for tournaments may be expensive, but they’re designed to be lightweight. However, they can be rather expensive.
SWAGTRON electric scooters are also made with carbon fibers, which are long and wide substances composed of carbon atoms. Carbon fibers are natural or synthetic substances of carbon atoms.
Engineering has long used carbon fibers due to their properties: strength and lightweight. In comparison with other raw materials like steel and iron, however, is very expensive. (read more about carbon fibers on Wikipedia)
Aluminum
Aluminum is another material commonly used for lightweight electric scooters. In spite of its lower cost, this material doesn’t have as good a performance as carbon fiber. In addition to being 2-5 times more rigid than aluminum, carbon fiber is lighter. Using different carbon fibers can give you varying levels of rigidity.
The density of carbon fibers is 50% less than that of aluminum. The weight of electric scooters will be reduced up to 50% if carbon fiber is used instead of aluminum. If they were made of steel rather than aluminum, that weight increase would be about 80% due to the fact that steel is about 5 times heavier than aluminum.
Pros & Cons of heavy-duty scooters
It is important to keep in mind that everybody’s needs are different for e-scooters, so here are some pros and cons to consider. As a large adult is likely to be able to ride a heavy-duty model with ease, it’s a major pro. These scooters are generally built to withstand more stress, and they have a greater capacity of power, in terms of both the motors and batteries.
Heavy-duty models are more expensive, so this is their biggest disadvantage. Additionally, their components are more advanced and powerful than those found in e-scooters, so they tend to be heavier as well. Consequently, if you weigh more, you should expect to pay slightly more for the same performance as a lighter rider. Increasing the weight of the scooter will also make it less portable, so you probably won’t be able to fold it up and walk along city streets for a long time with it. All heavy-duty options, however, can be folded at their stem, so you can put them in your car’s trunk instead.
Where can you buy an electric scooter for heavy adults?
On the internet, you can find many different heavy-duty electric scooters that will suit your lifestyle and weight. You can ride the Hiboy electric scooter if you are under 100 kgs (220 lbs), and the scooter weighs only 13 kilograms. The frame, made with carbon fiber and aviation-grade aluminum, is strong and lightweight, allowing for a comfortable ride.
In addition to being able to carry up to 100 kg, this bag can be folded, picked up, and carried upstairs or onto public transport. Electric scooter with lithium-ion batteries and a powerful motor, ideal for your everyday commute. A good
Examples of lightweight scooters
Razor power e-core
Swagtron e-scooter
Advantages
Let’s end on a positive note though, there are some advantages regarding a lightweight scooter.
Size
It is a small scooter that easily fits into any form of public transportation. This is the size of the Swagtron Electric Scooter, for example:
Folded size: 39 x 15.9 x 9.25 inches (100 x 40.5 x 23.5 cm)
Unfolded size: 36.2 x 40.5 x 39.37 inches (92 x 40.5 x 100 cm)
And E-Twow (UScooter) ECO and Booster model:
Folded: 37.2 x 5.3 x 11.8 inches (94.5 x 13.5 x 30 cm)
Unfolded: 37 x 5.3 x 45.7 inches (94.0 x 13.5 x 116 cm)
Easy to carry
You will quickly realize that carrying an electric scooter more than 50 feet isn’t as easy as it might seem. A lightweight electric scooter might be the best choice if you also have to climb stairs.
A scooter weighing 27 pounds compared to one weighing 35 pounds might not seem significant, but it is. Some electric scooters are not very easy to carry in hand. The effort is not directly proportional to the distance. This is illustrated by the UScooter (E-Two) ECO and Booster models. If there is no carrying strap, it is impossible to carry the scooter long distances while it is balanced in your hand.
Great as a last-mile vehicle
Designed for last-mile transportation, these electric scooters are ideal for urban areas. If you need something small and portable and don’t mind walking a short distance to public transportation, these are excellent choices. Be careful not to judge scooters based solely on weight. Be sure to consider other specifications such as speed, range, durability, materials, and ease of folding.
If I was only going to use it for the last mile, I would prefer a scooter for its lightweight.
Disadvantages of lightweight scooters
When designing an electric scooter there is a trade-off in regards to weight. We all want lightweight electric scooters that can be carried with one hand, right? But these scooters have some disadvantages.
Small wheels
Lightweight scooters have smaller wheels that can impact comfort. Smaller wheels may lead to bad balance, lower stability, and inability to ride on poor roads. Moreover, lightweight scooters don’t afford a suspension because those springs add extra weight.
The combination of small wheels and no suspension lead to a low weight but comfort and safety are put at risk.
Lack of power
Another way to lose some weight is to install a smaller electric motor. On foldable electric scooters the electric motor is embedded in the wheel (usually the front wheel). This being smaller so is the motor.
Electric motor’s power is measured in Watts and lightweight models have motors with 200-300 watts instead of 450-500 which is the industry average. If you have a small hill to work or school you may need to walk it which can be a disadvantage.
Even 450-500 Watts scooters struggle on steeper slopes so I bet these lightweight scooters will be in trouble. If you are on a flat road, there’s no problem.
Range
Battery size is reduced in order to save some weight. These scooters have a smaller range than a normal weight equivalent. I recommend them as a last-mile vehicle rather than a full ride. You don’t want a 6 miles range scooter if you have 5-6 miles to work because the battery will lose its strength in time.
Durability
Smaller wheels and no suspension combined with smaller parts will make your scooter wear off faster. That’s why I recommend them as a last-mile vehicle
Price
Quality lightweight scooters are made of carbon fiber, which is an expensive material. You might pay a premium price for a lightweight scooter that has inferior specs.
What is the heaviest electric scooter?
The heaviest electric scooter built to date is the Dualtron X . It is from the same manufacturer as the dualtron mini scooter. It weighs an astonishing 155 lbs / 70 kilograms!
That is exactly 10 times heavier than the lightest scooter.
However, there are a lot of very good reasons why the Dualtron X weighs as much as it does.
It is one of the fastest scooters today, able to reach speeds of more than 62 mph / 100 km/h!
At the same time, it is the electric scooter with the longest range in the world. It can go as much as 93 mi / 150 km on a single charge.
With stats like that, it is no wonder that it weighs as much as an entire person.
The Dualtron X may easily be one of the best scooters ever made. That’s why it is also one of the most expensive electric scooters ever, priced at $5999.
Where to buy the Dualtron X from?
Worldwide
The original manufacturer of this monster scooter is Minimotors USA, and it’s by far the best place to get the Dualtron X from. They ship worldwide, and they only charge a $20 flat shipping rate for pretty much everywhere in the world (which, given the size of the scooter, is nothing short of amazing). Shipping in the USA is free.
FAQ
Should I get a light or a heavy scooter?
A good rule of thumb is, if this is your first scooter, go with a lighter model. Usually, lighter scooters will be cheaper and less powerful. Those are both good qualities for your first scooter. You will also enjoy being able to carry your scooter everywhere with ease.
Get a heavier scooter if you need better performance (speed, torque, climbing), more range, better stability, or if you know what you are doing. When you really need a powerful scooter, and weight is only secondary to you, consider a heavy model. If your primary concern is ride stability and safety, a heavier model is a good choice too.
Can I change the weight of my electric scooter?
Generally, trying to make your scooter lighter is infeasible and ill-advised. Most of the weight comes from the battery and the motor and tinkering with those critical components for the sake of making your scooter lighter usually does not make sense.
On the other hand, the mass of your scooter can easily be increased in several ways. People often add seats, accessories, and extra batteries to their scooters, which also result in greater weight.
How much does the Xiaomi M365 weigh?
The Xiaomi M365 weighs 26 lbs / 12 kg out of the box. With that weight, it is one of the lightest widespread electric scooters.
References
Matt. (2021, June 25). Electric scooter weight [how much electric scooters weigh the lightest and heaviest scooters]. Retrieved from https://escooternerds.com/electric-scooter-weight/#:~:text=On average, popular commuter electric,to 155 lbs / 70 kg.
Richard. (2019, July 22). Average Electric Scooters Weight (with 15 Examples). Retrieved from https://electricscootering.com/electric-scooters-weight/
What is the Weight of BattRE Electric Scooter? BikeDekho. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.bikedekho.com/electric-scooter/faqs/what-is-the-weight-of-electric-scooter~5d650fe7e157f30bf15319e8