VSETT is one of the most exciting e-scooters of this year and last. Full of features such as triple locking mechanism, NFC key card locks, and built-in turning signals. Lock in these great prices before they are fully booked! A deposit of 50% is required for a reservation of the scooter.
More information:
Introducing to everyone, our custom Fiido Q1S e-bike! It's powered by a 72V battery and 3200W motor. Fully charged, it can hit a peak wattage of 4200W and max speed of 90kmh. For such power and speed, you definitely need good brakes, and the best in the market is Magura. So we have installed custom painted Magura MT4e hydraulic brakes which gives you great stopping power.
These are a list of the modifications and upgrades we have done on our e-bike:
72V 3200W motor
50A bluetooth programmable controller
Magura MT4e hydraulic brakes
EXA A5 air shock for rear suspension
Custom painted body midnight purple
Chaoyang 12 inch racing tires
Carbon fiber handlebar
Extended swingarm to move the center of gravity further forward and prevent wheelies.
EREXX style rotary stabilizer (steering damper)
40W CREE LED headlight
Flowing LED turning signal and brake lights
12V electric horn
Carbon fiber mudguard
Custom upholstered seat
Aluminium alloy footrests
This is still a work in progress, and will constantly be a work in progress, as we are always looking for new ways to modify and upgrade our ebike so it performs better and looks more beautiful!
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But besides the usual design, speed and distance considerations, here are some other important things to consider before making your decision:
Firstly, consider how you are going to use your scooter. Are you going to carry your e-scooter often? Do you need to carry it across the overhead bridge on your route? If you are, then you will want something lighter and smaller like E-TWOW or Inokim Light. A scooter lighter than 12kg would be suitable for you.
If you don’t carry it often, then you can consider something heavier and more powerful like the Zero 8 or even the Zero 10X.
Does the electric scooter have front and rear suspension? For riding in Thailand, it is important that your scooters have suspension as the roads here can be very bumpy. It is also important for safety. If you run into a bump that you didn’t see, a suspension will help soften it and you won’t easily fall from your scooter.
Most people don’t think about this, but it is important as well. Larger wheels are safer and provide better ride comfort. In Thailand, we recommend a minimum of 8 inch wheels. But for best riding experience, 10 inch wheels are recommended.
This is an important consideration as the battery is the most expensive part of the scooter. Most e-scooters use Chinese batteries which degrade faster compared to Japanese and Korean batteries. They are cheaper, but they are cheaper for a reason. Chinese batteries typically have half the lifespan of Japanese/Korean batteries.
LG or Samsung batteries can last more than 500 full charging cycles before dropping to about 70% of their original capacity. Chinese batteries will only last about 200-300 full charging cycles before dropping to 70% of their capacity. Inokim uses LG/Sanyo batteries, while E-TWOW uses Samsung batteries.
Panasonic batteries can last even longer than LG and Samsung. They are the gold standard in battery cells, that’s why they are used in Tesla cars. But they are also very expensive – about 3 times the price of Chinese batteries.
So keep this in mind, and ask about the brand of batteries in your electric scooter when making a decision.
Electric scooters are not cheap so you want to make sure that the shop you buy from offers a solid warranty and after sales service. It will give you a piece of mind should you have any problems with your scooter.
You can find very cheap e-scooters without warranties, but we would not recommend it. Why? In case you have a problem with your battery. Batteries are very expensive and typically cost about 1/3 the price of your scooter, so if you have a problem with your batteries, you will have to pay out a large sum of money to replace your current battery.
]]>Some people look at the prices of electric scooters and say they are expensive. Unfortunately, that’s quite unavoidable due to the high import tax on e-scooters in Thailand (praying the government will do something about this soon!). But what these people don’t know, is that e-scooters will save you significant amounts of money in the long run.
Putting aside the cost of the actual vehicles themselves (which are cheaper than motorbikes actually), let’s look at the ongoing costs of travelling with these 3 different types of vehicles. Here is some math to show you exactly how much money you can save:
*Fuel prices are based on current market rates as of March 2019
Assuming an average petrol consumption of 9.4km/L (or 10.6L per 100km), and fuel price of 28 THB/L, it will cost you 2.98 THB to travel one single km.
Say the average commuter travels 30 km everyday (15km to work and 15km back), he will travel a total of 10,950 km per year, costing him 32,631 THB in petrol costs.
Assuming an average petrol consumption of 23.7km/L, and fuel price of 25 THB/L, it will cost you 1.05 THB to travel one single km.
Again, taking the average rider who travels 30 km per day, gasoline will cost him 11,497 THB per year.
Using the standard electricity tariff in Thailand of 5 THB/KwH, and a normal e-scooter such as the Zero 8 which has a total battery capacity of 500 wH or 0.5 KwH (48V x 10.4 aH) per full charge.
Averaging 30km per full charge, an e-scooter would cost the rider only 0.08 THB (8 satang) to travel one single km.
In one year, the total cost of travelling via electric scooters would only come up to a measly 876 THB.
So there you have it! Even with the ridiculously cheap fuel price in Thailand, travelling by car is still a massive 37 times more expensive than electric scooters, and motorbikes – 13 times more expensive!
Use an electric scooter instead of a car and you can save more than 31,000 THB per year. Compared to a motorbike, you will still be able to save more than 10,000 THB per year!
Of course, saving money isn’t the only benefit of using an electric scooter. It also helps save the environment, keep pollution levels lower so everyone can have a better quality of life.
]]>For riders thinking about getting an entry level electric scooter, the Ninebot by Segway ES2 and the ZERO 8 will unavoidably come up as potential choices. Both are in the same price range, but they have very different features.
In this post, we are going to compare them, and highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each so you can make your own judgements about which model is more suitable for you.
The Ninebot Segway ES2 is one of the most popular electric scooters in the world. They are a common sight in East coast and West coast cities in the USA and many major cities in Europe. It is a relatively new maker in the electric scooter market. Segway’s legacy as a mobility innovator and the model’s forerunning distinctive design has made it very recognisable. The adoption of the ES2’s body-plan by leading scooter sharing companies like Lime also helped to increase the visibility of the model.
The ZERO 8 is a new-comer. Produced in 2018, this economical electric scooter is seeing very fast adoption in emerging electric scooter markets in the Asia Pacific and gaining ground in cities in Europe. It is design based on industry-proven body plans and offer excellent value.
We will compare them across size/portability, performance, safety and ride quality.
To make a fair comparison, we have to first recognize that the two scooters are different in nature. The Ninebot ES2 is a lightweight/medium-weight scooter intended for first and last mile travel. While the ZERO 8 is configured to be an all-purpose medium sized electric scooter for both short and long rides. If the Ninebot ES2 is a compact car, the Zero 8 will be a standard sedan.
Let’s start with the specs. The numbers that win out are highlighted in GREEN.
NINEBOT ES2 | ZERO 8 | |
Battery | 36V 5.2Ah | 48V 13Ah |
Wheel size | 8 inch | 8 inch |
Wheel type | Solid | Front pneumatic, rear solid |
Brake type | Electronic | Drum with bicycle style brake levers |
Brake position | Front | Rear |
Max. Speed | 25km/hr | 40km/hr |
Range | ~25km | ~35km |
Motor Power (nominal) | 300W | 500W |
Weight | 12.5kg | 18kg |
Max.Load | 100kg | 100kg |
Suspension | Front & Rear | Front & Rear |
Trolley mode | Possible | Not possible |
Both scooters are about the same size. Wheel diameter is a generally used to classify scooter size. The Ninebot ES2 has 8-inch wheels, the ZERO 8 has 8.5-inch front wheels and 8 inch rear wheels. The Ninebot ES2, at 113cm (from the ground to the top of the handlebars), is significantly shorter than the ZERO 8 when upright (120cm). The shorter handlebar still allows all but the tallest riders to ride without having to fully outstretch their arms so it’s not a big problem.
The ES2 is significantly longer when folded down at 113cm, while the ZERO8 is just less than 1 metre. However, folded size of the ES2 is much slimmer than the ZERO8.
The Ninebot ES2 has a very convenient “trolley mode” which allows it to be pulled along like a piece of luggage when folded up. This ties in with the main purpose the ES2 is designed for: multi-mode commutes which may require the scooter to be carried aboard trains or buses. At 12.5kg it is still easy to haul up a flight of stairs or lift up for the car boot.
In contrast, the compact ZERO 8 is very heavy for its size. At 18kg it is heavier than many larger scooters. The weight has a lot to do with the very tough body casing made of a single piece of extruded aluminum.
The ES2 sheds weight by using more plastics than metal. The main steering column and the belly of the deck is made from aircraft aluminum, and the fork is made from steel. Most other parts are composite plastic. This has led to rider feedback of hollow plasticky rattle when riding. But it is probably a good compromise to make the ES2 portable.
Weight did not appear to be a concern in the design of the ZERO 8. This is good because the components are likely to be durable. However the hefty chunk of scooter is a pain to move around by any means other than by riding it.
From the viewpoint of portability, the Ninebot ES2 is the clear winner. On the other hand, the ZERO 8 is certainly the more rugged scooter.
Performance is refers to torque, maximum speed and range. These are a function of the battery capacity and motor power output.
The ZERO 8 clearly has superior torque because it is a 48V system with a motor output rated at 500W. This will a much acceleration than the 36V x 300W specification on the Ninebot ES2.
The battery capacity on an electric scooter is analogous to the size of the fuel tank in a car. So the larger battery capacity of 10ah on the ZERO 8 offers 35km while the 5.2ah on the ES2 gives about 25km. This isn’t surprising.
For top speed, the international version of the ZERO 8 can sustain a cruising speed of 40km/h, the Segway ES2 maxes out at 25km/h. Again, no surprises there once you know the specs of both scooters.
It is easy to see that ZERO8 outperforms the Ninebot ES2. To put things in context, we must remember the ES2 is designed as a versatile multi-mode and first-mile/last-mile commuting scooter so it prioritizes portability at the expense of performance as an intended compromise.
Safety on an electric scooter is generally judged by the stability of the scooter at speed, its traction on unpredictable surfaces and the effectiveness of its brakes. Let’s compare them one by one.
The Ninebot ES2 has a wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear wheels where they touch the ground) of 33 inches, while the ZERO8 is an inch longer at 34. The longer the wheelbase, the more stable the scooter will be at speed (everything else being equal). A one-inch difference is small enough to ignore. But it is large enough to know the Ninebot by Segway ES2 will be more maneuverable in tight spaces.
The deck of the ZERO8 is 7 inches off the ground while the Ninebot ES2 is just 5 inches. Generally, lower deck height is more stable because it keeps the rider’s center of mass that little bit closer to the ground. This means the ES2 is more stable in this respect (everything else being equal). The ZERO 8 needs the higher clearance in order to accommodate its shock absorbers that has a larger range of motion. Fortunately, the rider can influence this factor easily by bending at the knees when necessary to further lower the centre of mass. Also, we find the lower ground clearance negated by the weight balance of the Ninebot ES2. See more details in the brake system discussion to follow.
In terms of traction, the softer and broader wheels on the ZERO8 achieves a larger contact patch (the actual area in contact with the ground) compared to the solid tires on the Ninebot ES2. When making a turn in wet or sandy conditions, the ZERO8 grips the ground better and has a higher chance of staying on the curve without skidding out. On the flip side, the the smaller contact patch on the ES2 results in lower drag and better rolling efficiency when riding in a straight line. This reduces energy consumption.
Perhaps the most critical to safety is the effectiveness of the braking system. The two scooters use very different systems.
The Ninebot ES2 uses an electronic brake system. When you press the brake lever, the motor consumes power to resists its own rotation to slow down or stop.
This is a common system used in lightweight scooters because the weight is saved by not having to mount brake levers cables. The system works very well except for a simple fact: it needs the power to work. Electronics can fail and when there is no power, the brakes don’t work. Fortunately, the designers have the foresight to include a backup braking system. The rear fender can be pressed down with the back foot to apply friction to the wheels, slowing the scooter down like in a non-electric kick scooter. How effective this is at high speeds is another matter.
The ZERO 8, being a more pow`erful scooter, is appropriately fitted with a bicycle-style brake lever with a physical steel cable connected to the brake. This old-school system is much more reliable and sensitive. The downside is added weight.
Aside from different brake systems, the position of the brakes also makes a huge difference. The Segway ES2 is front-wheel driven AND brakes using the front wheel. It’s conventional wisdom that a front wheel brake is less safe than a rear wheel brake because there is a higher chance of the rider flipping forward in a sudden stop from high speed.
This risks is compounded on the ES2 because of the weight distribution on the scooter itself. The heaviest part of the scooter is in the vertical steering column. It houses the heavy lithium-ion batteries. In comparison, the deck is very light. It is accurate to say the ES2 is top-heavy.
For the ZERO 8 , the drum brakes are applied to the rear wheel. Batteries are housed in the deck, keeping the heavy part of the scooter low and close to the ground. These two differences make the ZERO 8 electric scooter much more stable when braking at high speeds.
All in all, the ZERO 8 is a safer machine than the ES2 when it comes to the position and reliability of the brakes and the weight distribution on the scooter itself.
The throttle and brake calibration on the Ninebot ES2 is finely calibrated, making for surprisingly smooth and linear response. When throttled, power comes gently but steadily as the throttle lever is pressed more and more deeply. The brake response is also reassuring, going from mild to firm predictably based on the extent of the lever-press. The sophistication of Ninebot's onboard electronics shines through.
The ZERO 8 in comparison has a more sporty feel. Power comes eagerly and increases steeply as the finger throttle is pulled. This response allows fast acceleration and quick changes in speed. But it may come across as aggressive or even intimidating for some riders. The single brake lever works predictably like that on a bicycle. However, the brake lever can feel stiff and hard to squeeze for the drum brakes to engage fully, especially when it is often necessary to brake fast and hard to rein in the powerful scooter.
In terms of control comfort, the Ninebot ES2 has a familiar thumb throttle which is generally regarded as more comfortable than the index finger throttle found on the ZERO 8.
It is hard to say which scooter offers better ride quality because this varies widely depending on both the rider and the terrain/journey. We can only say that the two scooters have very different personalities. So it is a tie in this section.
The Ninebot ES2 excels in portability, looks, and ease of use. The ZERO 8 has a clear upper hand on performance. Technically speaking, we will call the ZERO 8 the safer scooter simply because of better brake reliability and more sensible weight distribution. But the risk can be drastically reduced by the rider on the ES2 with sensible and responsible riding.
This comparison isn’t written to declare which scooter is better, but to highlight the differences and features between them. These scooters serve different rider profiles.
The Ninebot ES2 is best for the rider making short to mid range trips. Its features will be appreciated by the commuter who needs to get on or off public transport or in and out of buildings. The ZERO8 will excel for the rider who intends to complete the entire commute on the escooter, riding from point A to B and back. As always, pick the scooter for how it matches your journey, not for the sake of the features themselves.
Heres a video comparison of the 2 TOP entry level e-scooters: the Segway ES2 and the ZERO 8!
The ZERO series represent a simple yet powerful message: ZERO Emissions.
With a budget to match that simplicity, the ZERO electric scooters follow a signature black, white and red colour theme, and their design are as eye-catching as they are impressive in performance.
The ZERO series is every e-scooter rider’s dream. It checks every box that both a newbie and a seasoned scooter rider would desire in their electric ride…
Below, we present and review the 5 models that make up the All New ZERO series.
An entry level high performance e-scooter that rivals any other escooter in the market in the sub-US$700 price bracket. It’s got all the basic bells and whistles a beginner rider would need in an e-scooter.
With dual suspension, a 35-45km range and a powerful 48V 500W motor, there is no other electric scooter in the market that gives you more bang for your buck.
How does it compare to its closest competitor, the Speedway mini 4 PRO?
The ZERO 8 is very similar in terms of performance with the Speedway mini PRO, at a much lower price. Both are 48V drive train systems with 500W of power.
Ride comfort is very similar. Both have front air tyres and front spring suspension. However, the ZERO 8 uses a pair of air shocks for its rear suspension instead of the Speedway’s double spring suspension.
This suspension is absolute necessary due to the solid rubber tires on both these escooters which would make the ride extremely bumpy without the rear suspension. The ZERO 8’s air shocks trump the Speedway’s rear springs in terms of looks and functionality, providing a softer cushion for every bump.
Both e-scooters are equipped with single rear drum e-brakes as their braking mechanism.
Check out this user experience video from a ZERO 8 rider from France:
The ZERO 9 is basically an amped-up ZERO 8 with a higher power output (25A controller), air tires front and rear to provide more ride comfort and double brakes (rear drum brakes and front disc brake). With a range of up to 45km per charge, this escooter is a great choice for riders who need to go the distance but still want something compact.
Whether you commute directly from home to work everyday or work as a delivery rider, the ZERO 9 will guarantee you a comfortable ride throughout your long journey.
How does the ZERO 9 compare to equivalent models like the Inokim Light 2?
On the design and weight scale, the Inokim Light 2 beats out anything in the market. Although similar in size and compactness, the Light 2 is comparatively more portable at 13kg while the ZERO 9 weighs considerably more at 18kg.
When comparing performance, the ZERO 9 stands a head above the Light 2. Whether it is torque and power (500W vs 350W), top speed (40kmh vs 35kmh) or ride comfort (dual suspension on the ZERO 9 vs none on the Inokim Light 2), there isn’t anything in the market like the ZERO 9.
Both e-scooter models are equipped with front and rear air tires for added comfort. The Light uses dual drum brakes as opposed to the ZERO 9’s front disc and rear drum brake system.
The ZERO 10 is ZERO’s entry level representative in the hugely overcrowded 10 inch scooter space. In this 10 inch space, you have the original Inokim Quick 3, and Speedway 4. Both market leaders in their own right. And to disrupt the market, we now have the ZERO 10.
The ZERO 10 is equipped with a single 52V drive hub motor, and a 18Ah battery to give more than 60km of range per charge. The LTA approved version for the Singapore market comes equipped with a 7Ah version, which can do about 25km in range.
How does it compare to the Speedway 4?
The ZERO 10 is comparable to the Speedway 4 in terms of performance with the ZERO 10 slightly edging out in terms of max power output. The Zero 10 is able to output 800W (1600W peak power) but the speedway has a max power output of 1000W.
Both scooters are 52V drive systems with large enough batteries to drive more than 60km per charge. The ZERO 10 comes with a 18Ah battery while the Speedway comes with a 30Ah battery. The difference is that the ZERO 10 uses Li Ion batteries while the Speedway uses Li Po batteries. Li Ion batteries are lighter hence the ZERO 10 weighs less than the Speedway.
In terms of suspension, the ride experience on the ZERO 10 has been described as extremely cushioned. With 2 large air shocks able to hold up to 120kg in weight, the ZERO 10 offers unparalleled ride comfort. The Speedway has stiff suspension that may be more suitable for off road riding.
A compact dual motor e-scooter, the ZERO 8X does not disappoint in terms of power. Matching that of the ZERO 10X, the 8X delivers the same power output (1600W from twin motors) in a much smaller package. Switch between single motor to save on battery or dual motor drive to get maximum thrills.
Equipped with 8″x 5″ tires, the 8X hugs the tarmac like a koala, making this the perfect road machine.
However, with motorbike style suspension that has a travel depth of over 10cm, the ZERO 8 can take off road conditions just as easily as it can take urban conditions. Stiffness and height of the suspension can be adjusted by adjusting the screw.
The highest performance and fiercest e-scooter in the ZERO series with dual spring shocks, dual 800W motor (for a peak power of 3200W on max load) and a whole lot of beautiful design features.
This is not an electric scooter for the faint-hearted. Engage the dual motor mode and you will feel like you are in a drag race. The ZERO 10X’s instant acceleration can be felt as soon as you press down the throttle.
Watch this unboxing video of the ZERO 10X to see what to expect:
You can read all about the specifications and watch all the videos about the different models, but there is no better way to decide which ZERO suits you best than to try for yourself. So get down to your nearest ZERO dealer, take a test ride and experience the performance, build quality and engineering that has gone into making these incredible machines.
The ZERO 8 and 10X e-scooters are now available in Thailand. The other models will be coming very soon, so be sure to keep a look out!
]]>The purpose of an electric scooter (or escooter) is to get you from place to place. It follows that how far the scooter can go is one of the most important considerations. However, riders often complain that the range advertised is less than the range they get in real world conditions. Why is that so though? In this article we take an in-depth examination into all the factors that affects or compromises an escooter's max range per charge.
The max range of electric scooters is affected more by external factors, including terrain, weight, slope, temperature, and even whether the air tires have been pumped to the manufacturer's specifications.
The short answer is that the stated range of an escooter is usually the range achievable under IDEAL conditions. This is not a ploy to over-market or short-change the e-scooter buyer. The manufacturer has to to set certain controls for testing a scooter's range and will accordingly publish that data in its advertising material.
Of course, some manufacturers outright state under what conditions its data based on, but some do not. A responsible manufacturer (which is really what you want when you splash out a hefty sum for a last mile solution) will clearly state the conditions and circumstances under which they achieve the range they specify. A good example is the recently released Inmotion V10 electric unicycle (EUC). The published range of the V10 is “~70km”. The manufacturer is even careful enough to use the “~” symbol to indicate that this is an approximation. This range was said to be achievable under these conditions:
They have even gone as far as to declare in advance that “riding habits, environment, temperature, road conditions, load and other factors will affect the range”. This careful and clear treatment of range may have something to do with the intense competition between electric unicycle manufacturers at the time the article was written. Electric unicycle manufacturers are launching large numbers of new high-end machines and are competing for the purchasing power of riders who care very much about performance.
Many electric scooter manufacturers spare the consumer such details, and simply publish a single figure for the range. While this may be simple and easy for the end consumer to understand, it can lead to customer dissatisfaction when customers take the range at face value.
In this article, we will show you how the battery's maximum range is calculated, and more importantly, what factors affect your electric scooter's your battery so that you can avoid them and maximize your range.
The battery capacity of your scooter is analogous to the size of the fuel tank in a car. The more fuel you can carry, the longer the drive you can get. The motor will be like the engine of a car: the larger it is, the more powerful it is, the power-hungry it will be.
With some basic arithmetic and intermediate physics, we can calculate the theoretical range based on the specifications of the battery and motor. For the tech geek, feel free to geek away:
Above: You can calculate the range if we know the scooter's specifications like battery capacity and motor power.
Let’s say we want to calculate the range of a typical medium-sized electric scooter with these specifications:
The first formula one that everyone knows (hopefully):
DISTANCE (Km) = SPEED (Km/hr) x TIME (hr)
This formula states that if we know the speed we ride at (assuming we ride at a constant speed), and the duration the scooter can sustain the speed until its battery runs out, we can calculate the distance it can travel per full charge of its battery.
For SPEED, we will use the highest possible speed at which we can ride the escooter. The speed limit for Personal Mobility Devices (PMD) in Singapore, where this article is written, is 25km/hr. And the average at which people use an e-scooter on roads/pathways is close to that number as well. So we'll use this figure for speed.
For TIME, we can calculate it from the battery capacity and motor power.
To do this, we need to figure out the battery capacity. This is measured in Watt-hours (Wh), that is, the energy (in Watts) it can deliver in one hour.
Watt-hour (Wh) = Ampere-Hour (Ah) x Voltage (V)
So the capacity of our battery is 10.5Ah x 36V = 378Wh
Knowing the amount of energy in the battery, and knowing the power (and hence energy consumption) of the motor, we can now calculate how long it will take for the escooter's motor to burn through its stored energy:
TIME (hr) = Battery capacity / Power consumption = 378Wh / 250W = 1.512 hr
Now we have the SPEED and TIME to put into our first formula:
DISTANCE = SPEED x TIME = 25 Km/hr x 1.512hr = 37.8 km.
So in theory, this scooter will be able give you for 37.8 km per full charge before its battery is fully depleted.
* Note: some manufacturers indicate peak power instead of nominal (average) power. If both figures are indicated, use nominal power for a conservative estimate.
Above: understanding your escooter’s range and knowing what affects it reduces the chances of you running out of battery and getting stranded.
In real life situations though, those are not all the factors you need to consider. The calculation has so far has only factored in the battery and motor. We have not yet taken into consideration the rider, riding conditions and other factors.
Now we will examine in detail the other factors that can negatively impact your electric scooter's range, and what you can do to squeeze out the maximum mileage from your e-scooter.
Broadly speaking, these are the other considerations when calculating max range:
Let’s look into each one in detail.
Above: lightweight escooters like the Inokim Mini work best with lightweight riders.
An electric scooter will have to work harder to move a heavier rider compared to a lighter one as more power is needed to move a heavier load.
All electric scooters have an indication for the maximum safe payload. Most are rated at 100 Kg, with some larger models at 120 Kg. Some high end or heavy duty models carry as much as 150 kg. The maximum load is not the same as the optimum load. It’s a common practice for electric scooters makers in the market today to use a rider weight load of about 75 Kg for performance tests. This is understandable because 75 kg is the average weight of a healthy adult male.
In other words, any rider heavier than 75 Kg can usually expect the range achievable to be lower than the published figure.
Problems with overloading tend to happen when large riders buy lightweight scooters for the sake of portability.
Of course, some riders using electric scooters for first-mile and last-mile commute need to bring their escooters onto trains or buses. This is a good reason to choose lightweight electric scooters like the Inokim Mini or the Zero 2.0.
These scooters may be underpowered for the big riders, but it is alright if the rider understands there is a trade-off and is willing to give up some range for portability.
Above: choosing an electric scooter with a motor power that matches your weight and body size is a practical starting point to make sure you get the best range.
When purchasing a scooter, where possible, select an escooter with a motor power that matches your body size and weight. This is especially important if you are a large person.
Where practicable, heavy riders should choose motor powers of 350W to 500W or more like the Inokim Quick 3, Zero 10X or other powerful models so the scooter is not constantly performing under strain.
During purchase, the electric scooter salesperson can give you some insights on range versus scooter motor power. Filter the salesperson’s opinions to control for sales-commission motivations and you will have a sense of which scooter power is suitable for you. If there are hills on your route, it usually pays to favour a higher powered scooter (see “Riding uphill” later in this article).
For the scooter itself, shed weight by removing unnecessary accessories and attachments like bags, bottle holders and such to lighten the load on the scooter. Some countries may even have regulations that limit the weight of an electric personal mobility device.
It is well-known in both the cycling and automobile community that under-inflated tyres result in reduced fuel economy. Without going into complicated physics or mathematics, the simple but factual explanation is that under-pressurized wheels deforms the wheel from its optimal shape. This results in, among other things, increased contact surface between the wheel and the ground. Generally, more contact area means more friction.
There have been no scientific studies done specifically for electric scooter tyre pressure performance. But research for automobiles shows a clear correlation between rolling resistance and tyre pressure. The closer the tyre pressure is to the pressure intended by the manufacturer, the lower the rolling resistance. A reduction of rolling efficiency happens when the tyres are even marginally lower than the optimum prescribed pressure.
It is important to emphasize that avoiding insufficient pressure is not the same as encouraging over-pressurizing the tyres, which has its own set of problems. The important thing to do is to maintain the correct pressure as indicated by the scooter/tyre manufacturer. This pressure is usually indicated in the user’s manual. The pressure indicated on the tyre itself is usually the maximum pressure, not optimum pressure.
Above: Bicycle pump with pressure gauge. Extremely useful and importatnt to maintain optimal tyre pressure.
If you don’t yet own one, get your hands on a tyre pump with a pressure gauge. This is indispensable. You can check the tyre pressure and pump up the tyre with a single device. Make it a point to check the tyre pressure every few weeks and inflate if it falls below the optimum pressure. Maintaining sufficient pressure has the bonus effect of reducing the chances of getting a flat tire, and increasing the tyre’s useful lifespan. Every scooter has a different optimum tyre pressure, so be sure to check yours with the shop you bought from.
Above: The Segway ES2 is indicated to be able to go ‘up to’ 15 miles (24 Km) depending on ‘riding style and terrain’.
Gradient has a massive impact on electric scooter range. If you ride a bicycle, you will know from experience that riding uphill, even when the slope is quite gentle, takes much more effort than riding on level ground.
Without going into complicated calculations, it is enough to say that any uphill climbs on your route will shave a significant chunk off the range indicated on your scooter manual. Given that scooter-range is calculated on perfectly flat ground but your actual route is not, you are unlikely to ever match the scooter’s published range.
To put things in context, many riders buy an electric scooter to spare them the effort of climbing difficult slopes on foot or on a bicycle. So the loss of range because of a slope is probably a fair trade-off for the effort saved.
If possible and necessary, choose a longer route that goes around the slope. Unless the detour is unnecessarily long, you will usually still end up positive on the range.
Physics tells us that an object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion. It takes energy to get a stationary object to move, to increase its speed or to slow it down.
The general energy consumption associated with the type of scooter activity, (from lowest to highest) is listed here:
For electric scooters that use an electronic brake (as opposed to a bicycle-style physical brake), battery power is also consumed when braking because the scooter brakes by the using the motor to resist motion.
In short, the more often and intensely you accelerate or decelerate during your ride, the shorter your range will be.
Above: with a patient riding style, even a tiny seated escooter like the DYU Supreme can achieve an impressive range of 60 Km, a range more commonly found on much larger machines.
When it comes to range, patience is a virtue. Reach your cruising speed by accelerating gently without haste. Maintain as constant a speed for as long as possible. The optimum speed is usually the highest speed which can be sustained by the motor without it sounding like it is struggling. There’s a reason why this is called a “cruising” speed. It should be a comfortable speed and certainly not the maximum speed.
If you are riding an escooter with electronic brakes, where possible, coast to a stop rather than braking hard. By riding this way, not only will you gain more kilometres, it will be a safer ride as well. As a bonus Your tyre and brake pads will also have a longer lifespan.
We can’t control the temperature we ride in. But it is useful to know what temperatures are best for your scooter. The main concern here is the health of the battery, which is directly related to range.
The optimum operating temperature of batteries is similar to what is comfortable for people. Battery manufacturers usually point to 20 ℃ or slightly lower as the optimum operating temperature, and with 20 ℃ to 30 ℃ as an acceptable operating range.
Above: It is tempting to keep your escooter in the car boot for convenience. But this can expose the battery to unhealthy high temperatures on warm days.
This temperature offers the best battery capacity (which means it can be charged and discharged more completely and easily) and is best for the lifespan of the battery in terms of total charge cycles (cycle life). At temperatures higher or lower than this range, both capacity and lifespan start to suffer penalties. As the battery capacity drops, so too does your range.
As far as temperature is concerned, think of your escooter as a living creature, sensitive to warmth and cold just like you. Avoid storing your escooter in the boot of the car under the hot summer sun, or leave it parked for long periods in direct sunlight. For storage, a cool dry place that is indoors and out of the elements and protected from winter temperature will protect the scooter. It is comfortable when you are comfortable.
Unless you are the kind of rider who rides a scooter to death and buys a new one every year, being mindful of the factors that hurt the range of your escooter will help you can get the best mileage and a longer lifespan from your ride. And because the battery is often the most expensive component in your scooter and may cost up to a third of the scooter's price, it will ultimately help you save money as well.
It is also important to understand that electric scooter batteries have a limited number of charge cycles (battery cycle life). This is generally about 500-600 accumulated charge cycles, depending on the quality and brand of the battery cells. Their capacity to hold charge in lithium ion batteries degrades gradually over time - the same as your iPhone or Samsung smart phone. So for regular riders, it may be hard to avoid a battery replacement after a long period of intense use. When the time comes, however, pat your scooter for having served its purpose well and accept the need to revitalise it with a brand new battery or retire it forever.
]]>We have all been waiting for something like this for a long time. And the engineers of DYU has answered our call.
Back in 2016, we announced the launch of the Stigo and the Stigo was admittedly slightly on the heavy side at 15kg.
The ebike rider is a very weight-sensitive creature and because this ebike is specifically targeted at the lady ebike rider, the small sized DYU has shedded the weight with a final weight of 12 kg. Just light enough to be carried around.
The DYU measures only 1m wide with a drop down handlebar to give a height of only 50cm in height in its folded form. It fits comfortably into the trunk of any car while still leaving you space for your groceries!
Did we also mention that its 12kg? So no sweat broken when lifting it in and out of said car - even my granny could lift it.
No matter what some may say, size matters. Especially when it comes to tire size for ebikes because in the ebike world, every inch counts!
And every inch ensures added grip and DYU will overcome any potholes easily with its 12 inch tires.
Did we mention it has double disc brakes too? Front and rear, yes. We are actually not sure if you need that much braking power for a ebike that has a max speed of 25kmh, but it sure does look nice! Perhaps that's the reason they put it in there.
The DYU is also bluetooth enabled to provide tons of app based functionality. The DYU app syncs with the ebike control system and is able to control the top speed, cruise mode, and electronic locking among many other features.
The battery life is displayed both on the app and on the handlebar dashboard so you are constantly aware of when its time to be heading 'back.
On those long rides, just hit the cruise mode button on the dashboard, and you can take your hands off the throttle and enjoy the ride!
Watch this unboxing video of the DYU to find out how it looks and works right out of the box!
The DYU ebike is exclusively available at Falcon Go in Thailand and retails from 20,900 baht.
Bike sharing is gaining in popularity all over the world, in China, Singapore and many other countries all around the world. Venture capitalists excited at the popularity of ride-sharing companies have poured millions if not billions into it. Even Southeast Asian rideshare unicorn Grab has stepped into the game. It should only follow that electric scooter sharing – which involves a more comfortable ride with barely any physical exertion – would take off too. But will it really?
Bike sharing provides a great convenience to people, no doubt, and the public is taking to it, especially in Singapore. It has become a common sight to see people riding about in a Ofo or Mofo bikes. However, problems with the business model still exist and bike sharing companies have yet to find a good solution for them.
So… What about electric scooter sharing/renting? Startups such as Popscoot have launched in Singapore to try to grab a slice of the ridesharing pie. The idea is a noble one, but whether it can work in the long run, that remains to be seen. As a commuter, I would gladly pay a dollar or two to ride an e-scooter back to my home from the train station as it would save me a long and sweaty walk.
As much as I would love it to become a common sight in neighborhoods all over Bangkok, here are the three main challenges facing e-scooter sharing companies worldwide:
There have been numerous examples all over the world, from Ofo bikes thrown off buildings to bikes with number plates and locks removed. Start up companies such as Bluegogo – the third largest bike sharing outfit in China - have folded, with vandalism being one of the main reasons. The massive capital it takes to run a successful ride sharing company means that smaller players simply are not able to withstand losses in the short run.
Another example could very well be seen from the story of BlueSG – the first electric car rental service in Singapore. Those cars have ended up suffering a similar fate to mass sharing bicycles in Singapore. Photos of dents on the car and dirty interiors left by inconsiderate users were widely shared by social media shortly after they launched.
These companies that strive to provide a public service or solve a genuine problem would eventually end up with high maintenance costs due to these small but significant number of inconsiderate users. For ride sharing companies that rent out expensive mobility vehicles such as e-scooters, it would be doubly so. Maintenance costs may represent an insurmountable cost for them in the end.
The ugly truth of the matter is: if people don’t even bother to take care of a $100 shared bike, are they any more likely to take good care of a $1000 shared e-scooter?
Electric scooters, as compared to manual bicycles have another disadvantage: they required electricity to run and are therefore are vulnerable to water and weather damage.
In Southeast Asia, where it rains regularly and without warning, an e-scooter would be at the mercy of the elements. Unless it has solid weather and water proofing, with at least with a IP57 rating, water damage may end up being another massive cost for the e-scooter sharing company.
Even then, a scooter with a solid IP57 rating would be hard pressed to weather constant rain and sun, wear and tear without suffering any kind of permanent damage. Eventually, electronics within would need to be replaced, and it would probably need to be done regularly. Constant maintenance needed to keep them in running condition would further add to the costs these companies face.
One big draw of bike sharing schemes is that bicycles can be parked anywhere, as long as they are parked considerately. E-scooter sharing, however, needs docking and charging stations to work. A 20,000 baht electric scooter simply can't be left anywhere. It would definitely never be seen again by the next day.
And this presents another challenge for companies. The need to build and develop the infrastructure necessary for e-scooter rental to work is yet another barrier to its success. It is not only another cost for e-scooter sharing company, but also an added inconvenience for users.
Singaporeans love electric scooters precisely because it's personal. It can be parked outside their office, locked outside train stations and taken into their homes. It takes you to your destination, without having to walk one step. However, with e-scooter sharing, the user has to make the trip to the docking station before and after using it. And if it adds another 5-10 mins of travelling time for the commuter, he or she may choose another commuting option instead.
Until these docking stations become as commonplace as bicycle stands, bicycle sharing will still have an advantage over e-scooter sharing programs.
Conclusion
This is a world where shared bicycles are thrown into canals, damaged, flung from high places, and left anywhere as one pleases. An e-scooter which is 10 times more expensive than a bicycle wouldn’t stand a snowflake in hell’s chance of surviving these inconsiderate users.
But perhaps, there are ways around these problems and measures that can be implemented to overcome these challenges. If someone manages to figure it out, all the better for everyone who finds commuting a chore. I, for one, would be more than happy to live in a world where e-scooter rentals are available at my fingertips.
]]>They come in different wheel sizes, weights, and battery sizes, etc. For your convenience, we have made a simple chart to help you compare between our e-scooters and e-bikes.
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]]>The electric revolution is coming, and you can be sure that it is here to stay. Not just with cars or motorcycles, but with foldable electric kick scooters especially. Its small compact form makes it the perfect last mile solution between the train station and your home/office. You can fold it, bring it onto public transport, and use it pretty much anywhere there is a sidewalk.
Instead of using a car, which takes up a lot of space on the road, it is a great alternative option for transport in countries where traffic congestion is the norm. Forbes also wrote a great article about how e-scooters will revolutionize public transport.
For many people, buying an e-scooter has been one of the best decisions they have made, and here is why:
Many of us don’t live right next to the train station or bus stop, mostly due to cost reasons. Houses and apartments near train stations come at a premium due to the convenience. Hence, we have to resort to walking the 10-15mins it takes to get to the station. But with an electric scooter, however, you would pretty much fly there in a mere 2 mins. Over months, using an escooter over a short distance can save you a lot of time. It also saves you from walking under the sweltering hot sun, and getting to the office all sweaty and stinky.
If you use an electric scooter to get directly to your destination, it can also help you save time even though its speed is significantly slower than that of a car. During peak hours, traffic congestion is at its worst. A short 2-3km trip can turn into 15 or 20 mins. But ride an e-scooter and you can avoid all of that waiting and frustration.
This may seem counter-intuitive as e-scooters are usually a bit expensive. Decent e-scooters will set you back by about 30,000 baht (USD$950), and at that price, it takes some consideration before one will put money down for it. For example, depending on your location, popular models such as the Inokim Light and E-TWOW will cost between 25,000 baht (USD$790) to 50,000 baht (USD$1570).
Denise Ono of NBC News suggests that electric kick scooters can save you up to USD$700 (22,000 baht) per year. And she isn’t wrong. Taking public transport everyday would cost, at a conservative estimate, $5 (120-160 baht) per day. By using an escooter instead, you would have paid it off in less than 7 months.
Many people also second her opinion and realized for themselves that an e-scooter is an economical way to get around. If you drive a car, an e-scooter would save you gas expenditures ($200 per month), insurance ($100 per month), and parking ($200 per month). That is already $500 (~15,000 baht) per month, and you haven't even included the price of the car itself.
Of course, using an electric scooter as a replacement for a car only works if you travel short distances i.e. less than 15km per trip. So if your work place or school isn’t too far from your home, it is a transport option seriously worth considering.
According to a study by The Belgian Consultancy Transport and Mobility Leuven, a 25 percent shift from cars to personal transport vehicles such as scooters and motorcycles can eliminate traffic congestion entirely.
Though cars can transport up to 5 people at a time, the unfortunate norm is that only 1 or 2 people ride in a car at any one time. Due to their big size, they take up a lot of space on the road, and it is because of this that traffic congestion in big cities everywhere is increasing.
If these people switch to personal transport – smaller vehicles which only carry 1-2 people – traffic congestion can be eliminated completely, if not at least reduced significantly.
The photo above shows a situation familiar to everyone living in Bangkok, which has one of the worst cases of traffic congestion in the world. Due to the relatively cheap price of cars in Thailand, Bangkok has become the 12th most congested city in the world. In 2016, Bangkok drivers spend an average of 64.1 hours stuck in traffic – a lot of precious time that could have been better spent with family, friends and loved ones.
As the photo above shows, car lines stretch for as far as the eye can see. But pedestrian sidewalks are relatively empty (of course this isn’t the case everywhere in Bangkok). A 1 km commute by car from Asoke BTS Station to Phrom Phong BTS station could take up to 30 mins when traffic is at its worst. Commuting on an e-scooter, however, would only take you 3 mins or so. Instances like this in Thailand make e-scooters a great travel option to avoid traffic jams and congestion.
As the world becomes increasingly aware of climate change, many countries are striving to keep their cities green and eco-friendly. Even China, which was infamous for pollution, has started on a green drive to lower greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.
On a per person basis, electric scooters are much more energy efficient and eco-friendly than cars or motorcycles due to their light weight. The amount of energy required to power it is miniscule compared to traditional forms of transportation. This is even more so in countries that rely on renewable energy for production of electricity.
Unlike motorcycles and bicycles where there is learning curve, riding an e-scooter can be easily picked up by virtually anyone, from young children to senior citizens. Age is no barrier to riding an electric scooter.
Even for people who haven’t never rode an electric kick scooter before, all of them can ride if on their first go. To become proficient in riding it safely wouldn’t take more than a few days of practice.
For safety's sake, however, children should only ride smaller and less powerful escooters such as the Inokim Mini, which goes up to a maximum of 20km/h.
Another added benefit of riding e-scooters is that no licenses or tests are required. With an escooter, it is just: buy and go.
Almost all children haver manual kick scooters nowadays, and they love it because it is great fun. Electric kick scooters, due to the electric power, are even more fun.
The speed of most e-scooters can go up to 30km/h, although in some countries such as Singapore, it is capped to 25km/h. At those speeds, you will feel like a child again riding on an electric powered kick scooter.
Not to mention, the wind from riding means you would not perspire at all, even under the hot sun, making the escooter a fun and comfortable travel option.
So there you have it, the top 6 reasons to use an e-scooter instead of traditional vehicles. This list, however, is not exhaustive. There are many other reasons such as portability, safety, and the ability to park it and bring it anywhere.
For short distances, the electric kick scooter is really the ideal travel option. The trends are changing in Europe and all around the world. And the hope is that, as everyone most towards greener and more efficient modes of transportation, the world will become a better and safer place to live in.
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The Christmas holidays are coming up soon and everyone’s going about getting gifts for their friends and loved ones. Ever get stuck on what to buy for a brother, boyfriend or husband? Because, yes, guys are indeed very difficult to buy gifts for. You can’t get them soft toys, make-up, or jewelry. So what exactly can you get them?
Well, we’ve got you covered. This is a holiday gift guide on how to choose the most suitable e-scooter for your man. The e-scooter might prove to be the most practical and convenient gift ever. Trust us, we know.
The Dualtron Ultra packs the most power in any e-scooter in the world. With speeds up to 80km/h factory production units, that’s still not the fastest it can go. With some modifications, its top speed can even hit 90km/h and above.
It’s the perfect gift for the adrenaline junkie who always seeks to go faster and faster.
The Inokim Light is sleek, beautiful and thoughtfully designed. Great for the busy executive who needs to keep up with appearances.
Traffic lights every 50m in the Central Business District? No problem. Avoid all the traffic lights and congestion with the Inokim Light. It will give you the most comfortable ride possible at its price point.
With the Inokim Quick series being the most popular e-scooter on the market nowadays, many 3rd party modification providers have popped up. Making this electric scooter a dream come true for tech junkies who love to modify their toys.
There are a hundred ways to make your scooter a unique one. Stick a custom decal on it, upgrade its battery or replace your drum brakes with hydraulic ones. And if you are not keen on modifying it, just add on accessories such as phone mounts and high-powered torchlights.
It’s light at 10.8kg and can be pulled along like a trolley. You can carry it when you need to, and roll it along when you are tired of carrying it. These 2 features make it perfect for the commuter.
Its small footprint also means that you can carry it on the train during rush hours without inconveniencing other commuters.
Solid rubber tyres also make this a great choice for commuters who travel long distances; no more flat tyres and replacing them every few months.
Yup, you know them him. The one that constantly asks you to buy food home. They one who begs you to make a trip to the market to get some grub for him.
I was once that person, and perhaps still am. Which is why I know the Zero a great scooter for the lazy person. It will turn a hot and tedious 15 min walk in the hot sun into a 2 min ride.
The Zero 2.0 the lightest e-scooter in the world at 6.8kg. Doesn’t take much effort to carry it, and even if it does, just roll it along, no problem.
University campuses are massive, and for most of us who can’t afford a car, getting from class to class can be a chore sometimes. Buses are erratic and frequently slow. Walking in the hot Southeast Asian sun is not a great alternative either if you don’t wanna arrive in class drenched in sweat.
The Inokim Mini+ is uniquely suited to the university student. It is powerful enough to overcome any slopes on campus, has enough range to go the distance (17km per charge), and light enough to bring onto public transport.
The latest electric scooter from Inokim also comes with trolley wheels, which allows it to stand upright, saving you space in the classroom, bus or train.
]]>Thailand's not all that big on Black Friday Sales, but we thought we'd spread some love to this part of the world at this time of the year.
A deposit of THB 5000 will need to be paid first to secure your pre-order. The remainder can be paid upon collection of the product.
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Every country is unique, and what works in one country wouldn’t necessary work in another. That is the same whether it is for government policies, or business practices, or choosing an electric scooter.
Thailand also has its own quirks and idiosyncrasies, with its narrow walkways, potholes and bumpy roads. So here are 4 important considerations to think about when choosing a personal electric vehicle in Thailand:
In Bangkok, where roads aren’t well paved and have as many potholes as they have cars, wheel size is perhaps the most important factor to consider when choosing an e-scooter. Larger wheels are safer, as they can deal with potholes easily. Smaller wheels would give you a more bumpy ride, or even a potentially dangerous one if you don’t see a large pothole coming.
Our recommendation for Bangkok roads is to get wheels that are at least 8 inches in diameter. Electric kick scooters like the Inokim Light, which has 8.5” wheels, would definitely give you a more comfortable ride than one with smaller wheels. The 10” wheels on the Inokim Quick 3 would be even better, but then you will have to sacrifice portability for ride comfort.
From personal experience, smaller 6” wheels also work, but the journey will be far from smooth, unless you are living in gated community, and your usual journey is to the restaurants and 7-11 marts just outside your house.
Due to bumpy roads, whether as a result of speed bumps or potholes, suspension is also an important consideration in Thailand.
Scooters with suspension like the E-TWOW Booster Plus will handle the roads of Bangkok with ease. The award-winning electric scooter has both front and rear suspension, which makes it ideal for uneven terrain.
If portability and lightness aren’t important to you, then the Dualtron e-scooters would be the best in this category. They are designed for rough and rugged terrain, and can handle them with complete ease.
Both types of tyres offer advantages and disadvantages. Full rubber tyres cannot go flat and therefore require less maintenance. Air or pneumatic tyres, on the other hand, offer better shock absorption and hence smoother ride than solid tyres. They are also lighter than solid rubber tyres.
The Zero 2.0, which carries the title of the lightest e-scooter in the world at 6.8kg, has full solid tyres, and thin rubber tyres especially for the rear tyre. While it’s a very popular electric ride in Singapore due to the well-paved roads, Thai roads are much less forgiving.
It might pay off to consider the Inokim Mini, which has a front pneumatic tyre, especially if you are travelling long distances (i.e. anything more than 1km). Or if weight isn’t an issue, then the Inokim Light or Quick 3 instead.
As for the E-TWOW, which also has full rubber tyres, it still gives you a comfortable ride on Thai roads as it compensates by providing front and rear suspension, so do take into account the specifications of various models as well.
This is where you need to consider you usual commuting route. If you take the BTS or MRT during peak hours, you will probably know by now, there is hardly any space for humans, much less e-scooters.
The ideal e-scooter would be something small and light, taking up a small footprint in the cramped train cabin. The Inokim Mini+ and the Zero 2.0 are the best contenders here as they are the lightest and smallest out of all the scooters, while still giving you enough speed and power to be of utility to you.
All that being said, it is also important to take into account your own personal considerations. What you will be using the scooter for; your usual route; and your own personal preferences. Take a look at our blog post about the important factors in choosing the most suitable e-ride for you.
It always differs from person to person, so talk to us, and we will help you choose the best personal electric vehicle for you.
]]>If you're making a short journey and prefer to travel light, the Zero 2.0 is a perfect way to get around. But if you need to go far, this carbon fiber scooter could leave you kick-scooting your way home.
Weighing in at 6.4kg, the Zero 2.0 is one of the lightest electric scooters I've come across thanks to its carbon-fiber build. The light weight makes it really easy to carry around, so you can fold it up and carry it onto a bus or train without breaking a sweat.
The Zero 2.0 has a range of around 15 km (9.3 miles) and can be upgraded with a bigger battery to a range of about 25km (15.5 miles). I tested the 15 km version and found that, depending on how fast you're going and how much torque you're using, you may not get very far.
I found myself running out of juice after traveling around 8 km or so, and had to walk the rest of the distance home. The Zero 2.0's 5-inch wheels make this a draining experience as you'll have to kick a lot to get moving.
But if you've got the power, you'll have a lot of fun zooming around on the Zero 2.0. It accelerates pretty smoothly up to 25 kph (15.5 mph) for a great ride though avoid bumpy ground, as you'll feel most of the patches due to the smaller wheels.
Other features include a bright front light that can be toggled on easily, and a built-in odometer and battery indicator located at the top where the handlebars are. Folding and unfolding the Zero 2.0 is pretty easy to do and you can do it in just one second by pulling a lever. The best thing about the design though, has to be the lack of visible wires, which are usually present on most e-scooters or bicycles.
Retailing at S$1,000 (which converts to around $730, £585 or AU$960) and ships to the US, UK and Australia from Singapore. You'll pay an extra S$190 (around $140, £110 and $180) for shipping -- so if you can get it cheaper locally, that may be a better deal.
Light and beautiful, but it has a short range. Also, avoid bumpy ground as it has small wheels.
]]>Its a common scene. You walk into a store with a multitude of electric scooters to choose from and your eyes just glaze over the wealth of choices.
One of the main concerns amongst new adopters of electric scooters is the lack of literature about the best option given the vast range of products out in the market. Unlike the car market, there aren’t many reliable independent reviews in the Wild West electric scooter market.
To help our readers make that life-changing decision, Sgscooters sat down with Victor from Falcon PEV, Singapore's leading retailer of electric personal mobility devices on how best to select an electric scooter for your needs.
In many ways, finding the right e-scooter is like finding the right car for your needs. If you have an army of kids, you will need an MPV to ferry your horde around. If you are carefree and single, maybe a two door coupe will be more your cup of tea.
Selecting an e-scooter is the same. If you need an e-scooter for your daily commute to work and back, a single-rider lightweight portable option is more suited for you. However, if you are looking to ferry your kid around or to school, then find an e-scooter with more leg room and grip.
Here are the 8 most important factors to consider when choosing an e-scooter:
This is generally the topmost consideration for many e-scooterists. Weight matters if you need to be carrying or pushing around your e-scooter. Commuters tend to be looking for a solution to the question “how do I get through the early morning rush hour crowd”. Leisure riders tend to think about “how do I have fun with my e-scooter”.
Commuters typically want lightweight portable options under 10kg. The scooters in this range include the carbon fiber ZERO 2.0 and the Inokim Mini. You typically sacrifice stability and comfort for their extreme compactness if you go with these options.
There are other e-scooter options that strike a balance between portability, comfort and power. Though they are usually a peek over the 10kg portable mark, they have features that allows them to be portable like an in built trolley function. The options in this category include the E-TWOW Booster Plus, Inokim Light and IMAX Q5.
For rugged options where riders do not care so much about weight but more about comfort and performance, the options are plenty. They range from the ever reliable regulation Inokim Quick 3 to the Dualtron Ultra, the most powerful production e-scooter ever built.
This may not readily be in anyone’s consideration but wheel size is an important factor. It determines the weight of your scooter, power, the ride safety and ride comfort.
Smaller e-scooter wheels range from 5 inches (ZERO 2.0) to 8 inches (E-TWOW), and larger tires are 10 inches and up (Inokim Quick, Dualtron etc). These scooters all have integrated hub motors, where you can typically fit a larger motor inside a larger wheel size.
Smaller wheeled electric scooters tend to be lighter in weight, have less grip and are less powerful. Larger wheeled e-scooters have more traction, making it less slippery on wet surfaces. They are also typically outfitted with a larger motor with more driving power.
Power and wheel size have to be matched. If you have too much power in smaller hub motor wheels, you will find yourself skidding a lot which is of course dangerous. Typical safe riding power is 250W but that might be a problem when climbing a slight gradient.
350W-450W motors are the standard currently but manufacturers have found a way to squeeze more power in smaller packages, driving power as high as 1000W in a single 10 inch wheel hub motor.
Also consider the terrain you have to travel. If there are steep slopes along your journey of more than 10 degree incline, you will need at least a 400W motor or more to comfortably climb the slope (think ETWOW Booster Plus or Inokim Quick 3). Otherwise, a basic 250W motor is sufficient (think Inokim light or Zoom Air 2).
Even if you have deep pockets, budget does matter as an e-scooter from your hypermart can cost as low as THB 10,000 or as high as THB 125,000 from your premium retailer. Typically, you can get a decent scooter between THB 25,000 to THB 45,000.
The most value for money e-scooter we have in Thailand is the Speedway Mini 4. It has a max speed of 35km/h and a max range of 35km. It also features front and rear suspension to help you handle the rough roads of Thailand. And the best thing is that it only costs 19,900 baht.
If it's for your daily commute and you do not have to take public transport, its worth investing into a more comfortable, powerful machine. Go for air tyres with at least a 350W motor which may cost a little more but you will thank us for the comfortable ride later.
If you plan to take it up public transport, try to keep your scooter lightweight and portable. These are the last mile commuters so it doesn’t matter too much if your scooter is neither powerful nor comfortable. You can go for the lower priced scooters that are under THB 25,000.
This consideration that has to be balanced with other factors. The longer the distance required, the larger the battery, hence making the e-scooter heavier.
Typical commuting distances are between 2km to the closest train station or 10km for a straight shot to the workplace. For such purpose, battery capacity of 5.2Ah to 7.8Ah should suffice.
For leisure riders who typically go for long leisure rides of 35km or more, definitely go with battery capacities of 10.4Ah or more. Internal batteries can go as high as 20Ah and if upgraded with an external secondary battery, the total capacity of an e-scooter can go as high as 26Ah.
Since the Li Ion battery makes up about 1/3 of the cost of the e-scooter, you would want to go for a good quality battery with a longer lifespan.
China batteries are typically cheaper (about half the price) than Korean or Japanese battery cells from Samsung, Sanyo or LG. However, china cells are known to last about half the lifespan of the imported cells. Also, these imported cells are more stable hence less likely to melt or even explode when overcharged or subject to intense heat or vibration.
Panasonic cells are the gold standard in Li Ion battery technology. They are the same cells used in Tesla cars. However, they are also very expensive. Samsung cells are of superior quality with good value while Sanyo and LG cells are just a notch below in quality.
These higher quality batteries have typical lifespans of 500 charge cycles before their capacities drop to 70% of their original. Inokim uses Samsung or Sanyo cells while Stigo uses Panasonic cells.
A good quality e-scooter with a good quality battery pack would typically come with a standard one year factory warranty.
Countries with lemon laws typically gives the consumer a minimum 6 month guarantee anyway but a good quality respectable e-scooter manufacturer would guarantee your e-scooter for at least 12 months. When investing in a big ticket item, a peace of mind will override any UNDER-warrantied e-scooter purchase.
Why is this important? A battery typically cost more than 1/3 the price of the scooter so if you think you are getting a good deal on an e-scooter with no warranty, think again. You have to take into consideration the future cost of replacing a defective battery or motor 6 months down the road. The money you saved upfront isn’t really savings at all when you consider the lifetime cost of owning an electric scooter.
Just like owning a car, an e-scooter requires regular repair and maintenance. Ensure that whoever you purchase your e-scooter from has the ability to support any repair and maintenance. Parts like brakes and tires wear out over time and a reliable service center would make your life a lot easier in terms of quick turn around service to get you on the road again.
So there you have it! These are the 8 main considerations when plopping down some good money for an electric scooter. Its a lot to absorb but READ this before you start swiping your credit card! You will thank us later.
]]>Stuff.tv gave the Inokim Light 4 out of 5 stars. When we say the Inokim Light is one of the best e-scooters on the market, don't just take our word for it. Read an objective opinion here.
They also rated the Inokim Quick as one of the top five personal electric vehicles in Singapore.
"Surprisingly, despite its heft it tackles slopes and picks up speed quite readily with the electric motor providing decent torque, and cruising is extremely stable, with minor bumps absorbed with no problem at all." - Melvin Tang, Magazine Editor
Whatever your needs, there is a suitable e-scooter out there for you. If you prioritize comfort and power, the Quick series would be better. But if you want something lighter, then the Inokim Light would be the one for you.
If you have any questions, talk to us and find out which e-scooter would be the perfect one for you.
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You have been riding your electric scooter for a few months. Lately, you find that the speed has become slower and you cannot get as much distance from it as before. Do not worry, your scooter might just be in need of some TLC.
Just like a car or any motor vehicle, electric scooters similarly require regular maintenance. The recommended maintenance cycle should be done every 4 months depending on how often you use your scooter.
In this article, we break down the mechanical wear and tear parts that require attention after a period of use to get it running optimally again.
Electric scooters that use brushed motors with a chain drive (GoPed, Razor, EVO etc.) require degreasing/lubrication of the chain once in a while. The brushed motor contains carbon brushes (thats where it gets its name from) and these need to be replaced every 6 months or so.
Brushless Geared motors popular in Inokim Quick and IMAX S1+ will require a gear change within the inner hub every 2 years or so. The gears will need to be degreased and greased with high pressure grease every year too for the motor to perform optimally.
Brushless Gearless motors used in Inokim Light, Zoom Air etc. have less maintenance in general but dust and dirt still accumulates inside the motor and requires a disassembly to clean out the dust and dirt. We typically do not use any cleaning solution or degreaser to clean out the internals of the motor. A brush and compressed air is sufficient.
Most electric scooter tires need to be changed after one year or roughly 1500km. Unlike car tires, which can last for 50,000km or more, electric scooter tires are not built that durably given its small size.
When tires wear out, 2 things come into play. Safety is a concern as tire grip will be compromised. A worn tire thread will not be able to go through wet roads as well as a properly threaded tire.
When tires wear thin, the risk of punctures will be higher too as sharp stones can easily pierce through the thin walls.
To prolong the life of your tires, always pump to the scooter manufacturer specified pressure and NOT the max tire pressure printed on the tire, as is a very common mistake. The tires should be pumped to the recommended pressure by the electric scooter manufacturer. Here is a list of recommended tire pressure:
Model | Tire Pressure (PSI) |
---|---|
Inokim Quick (10 inch tire) | 45 |
Inokim Light (8.5 inch tire) | 35 |
IMAX S1+(10 inch tire) | 45 |
Regular maintenance of your electric scooter has to include brake tuning and/or replacement of brake pads. Unless your electric scooter utilizes an electric brake system (like the Zoom Air or ZERO), most electric scooters are fitted with mechanical brake systems (disc brakes, V-brakes or drum brakes). Brake pads will wear out after a period of use and will require adjustment to ensure that they work effectively always.
The maintenance of scooters that use electrical brakes are a bit more of a headache as there is no way to service them. When the brakes are not working as efficiently, it is typically an electrical issue which may mean a replacement of an expensive battery.
Over time, the bearings on the front and rear wheel need to be serviced or cleaned out due to dirt and dust accumulation. Remove the dirt and grease with a cleaning solvent. Dry it out and then spray grease into the bearing. We recommend that you use Spray Grease like Mr McKenic 9-in-1 Technology Oil or QPLUS QP101 Spray Grease to grease the bearings.
To many, the electric scooter is your main commuting vehicle and proper care and maintenance is essential to keep it running like a workhorse.
Email us to find out about a service and maintenance package for your electric scooter.
Also, check out our YouTube channel to learn how to maintain your electric scooter by yourself.
]]>Traffic congestion, uneven roads, and crowded walkways. Bangkok wouldn’t usually be thought of as the safest place to ride a bike or scooter. But other than the major roads such as Ratchadapisek and Sukhumvit, the roads in Bangkok are actually easy to ride on.
Thanks to recent efforts by the Thai government to clamp down on roadside hawkers, the sidewalks of Bangkok are now less cluttered than before.
In addition, the opening up of dedicated bike lanes around the old city and allowance of foldable bikes on the BTS and MRT, e-scooters and e-bikes have become an attractive mode of transportation in the city which has some of the world’s worst traffic jams.
Here are 3 great e-scooters and e-bikes suitable for the narrow walkways and crowded roads of the Thai capital:
The Inokim Light is one of the most popular brands of e-scooters, and with good reason. The Israeli designed product gives you one of the smoothest rides you can hope for. After the success of the Quick version, Inokim released a beautifully designed Light version, weighing in at only 12 kg and can travel up to 35 km per charge. It folds effortlessly should you need to carry it on the train or bus.
It also has 8.5 inch air tyres which can help soften any bumps, perfect for uneven Bangkok walkways, giving you a perfect combination of comfort, portability and ruggedness.
With a slimmer footprint compared to the Inokim Light, the E-TWOW has no problems handling the small walkways of Bangkok. It sports full rubber tyres but yet manages to provide a smooth ride, thanks to its front and rear suspension system, making this a very capable e-scooter for the roads of Thailand.
The Thai capital currently has a population of more than 8 million people, but the train infrastructure remains limited. Expansion of train line have been hit by delay after delay, causing over-crowding in trains during peak hours. The combination of the E-TWOW’s small profile and ability to be trolleyed makes it a breeze to carry it onto a train. That’s what makes it one of the most convenient options for commuting in trains during rush hours.
The 2017 EPIQUE City E-bike is a foldable pedal-assist electric bike quite unlike any other.
Using the same folding system as the Dahon or Tern bikes, the EPIQUE folds up into a compact square that stands on its own in mere seconds. Bring it onto a packed train or keep it your trunk.
The compactness of the EPIQUE makes it perfect for tight environments. Extend the seat post and you get a push trolley for the folded e-bike, allowing you to manoeuvre the bike easily in train stations and tight spaces.
The EPIQUE also sports 16 x 2.125 inch wheels, which makes riding on the rough roads of Bangkok much smoother. Even with potholes and bumps, this bike will be able to handle up to 40 km per charge with no problem.
]]>NYLON magazine, a female-centric beauty and lifestyle magazine, recently reviewed the Inokim Mini and this is what they have to say about the Mini.
Inokim, known as the pioneer in electric scooters, is about to launch their latest AND lightest product — the all New Inokim Mini.
The Mini comes in 2 versions, the cruise mode version which only has a less powerful 24V drive train system and the throttle version which has a more powerful 36V drive train. The best part of the whole deal, the PRICE. Starting from $599, it is the most affordable Inokim scooter available.
The target audience for the Inokim Mini e-scooter is the commuter who needs a last mile solution and given its light weight (8.5kg), the Mini would greatly appeal to the LADIES! Finally, an e-scooter that is beautifully designed specially made for the ladies.
“The travel solution for lazy folks and folks who hate to sweat…”. Yes, thats most of us.
Check out the Inokim Mini launch here:
With the growing number of electric scooter enthusiasts, also comes growing concern on the longevity of the e-scooter and its parts. When we say parts, the typical concern is over the battery life and the cost of replacing it. Worry no longer, as we will share with you today the ins and outs of the battery you will normally find in e- scooters, and how to care for them – and hopefully extend their life.
Lithium Batteries, the optimal choice.
When deciding on your electric scooter, it is important to go for one that uses a Lithium based battery, over one that uses Lead Acid. Compared to Lead Acid, Lithium batteries are known to have longer life cycles, weigh less, are more maintenance free and are known to charge faster.
Thankfully, we do not need to worry too much about this, as majority of the E-Scooters around are already using Lithium Batteries, such as the Inokim and E-TWOW.
Understanding your lithium battery’s life
All batteries degrade over time with use, this applies to handphone batteries, computer batteries and also e-scooter batteries. Companies typically take the conservative approach and tend to specify their batteries at lasting 300-500 cycles. A charge cycle means using all of the battery’s power, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a single charge. For instance, you could use your scooter for an hour or more one day, using half its charge, and then recharge it fully. If you did the same thing the next day, it would count as one charge cycle, not two, so it may take several days to complete a cycle.
You can use your battery after it reaches its maximum cycle count, but you may notice a reduction in your battery life. Typically, what this means is the capacity of the battery will begin to drop after the specified life cycle capacity. For a gauge, refer to this table extracted from www.batteryuniversity.com
As can be seen, a lithium battery can in theory last a lot longer than their rated cycle, but it’s capacity (shown in %) decreases.
Prolonging your Lithium Battery’s life
As the user, what we want to do is to keep our battery at a high capacity for as long as possible. This is possible through a number of precautions and steps.
Environmental conditions: Lithium-ion batteries are strongly temperature-dependent; their capacity drops faster if it is stored or used at higher temperatures.
What you can do: Bring your scooter into the house with good ventilation and keep it out of the sun and heat when possible.
When storing for a long period – a 40% charge is recommended: Manufacturers recommend that you leave your battery with about a 40% charge if you plan to store it and not use it for extended periods. The battery will lose charge over time on its own even when not in use, you want to ensure there is enough battery to keep it’s “protection circuit” running.
What you can do: Scooters with LED indicators – charge it to mid-point or orange light. Digital indicators: mid-point or 40-50%. *** This is only if you do not plan to use your scooter for some time.
Ensure you use the provided charger. Chargers from other sources may change your battery too fast, stressing the battery.
Charging your battery: It should not be necessary to monitor your e-scooter when it is charging or immediately unplug it when it is done. We have tested the MyWay and E-Twow chargers and understand they discontinue the charge on its own once the battery is at its capacity – so no worry about overcharging. Caution should be taken with other scooters if they do not otherwise advise on this.
Depleting your battery: It is advised to avoid entirely depleting your battery before charging.
What to do: Try to always keep your battery above 10% and charge it before it reaches that level.
Do share in the comments on your own experiences or tips for battery care!
Sources:
]]>From the dawn of the age of electric scooters, there were only handful of brands like the GoPed, Razor from the 1980s. With the advent of hub motor and Li Ion technology, in 2009, MyWay (now known as Inokim) came about. A few years later, the Romanian designed E-TWOW (also known as the Zoom Air) came into market in early 2013.
Fast forward to today, we have close to 100 different brands of electric scooters that seem to look and feel identical to the original brands with similar parts and design. The original brands with original designs are INOKIM, I-MAX and E-TWOW. Most of these copycat escooters come at a fraction of the cost of the original using inferior materials and compromising the safety of end users such as China-made batteries that are untested and uncertified.
To be clear, we are not here to argue that the entire electric scooter industry has suddenly started churning out copycat products instead of innovating and investing into their own R&D AND more importantly, we are certainly not implying that all China designed or engineered scooters are inferior. The ZERO, the first carbon fiber e-scooter is an excellent example of great product that is designed and engineered in China.
Below are 5 tell-tale signs that would help you spot the difference between the genuine item and a copycat.
These “pigeon” front headlights is an infamous design introduced by Shengte on their copycat version. Why they are called Pigeon lights is due to the fact that these are the lights used on the cheap mass market Pigeon bicycles that are still popular across China. Unlike the built-in integrated lights on the Inokims, these front headlights were much easier and cheaper to manufacture as the controller does not support any built-in lights. They typically require an external switch to turn them on/off.
Developed by MYWAY, the folding plunger pin can withstand 120kg maximum load. We have seen folding pin that was made using weaker steel/thing aluminium material to cut manufacturing cost, causing the pin to snap into two pieces or damage after prolong usage.
Just recently, another copycat called Kaabo exploded, and the rider suffered 2nd-degree burns. Battery & motor are of one of the few expensive parts of any electric scooter, to lower manufacturing cost unscrupulous company often opt for cheap China-made batteries from a dubious source. Viewer’s discretion is advised – picture of injury
Original batteries from INOKIM and IMAX use Samsung cells (yes, packaged in China but the cells are made by Samsung nonetheless). GoPed batteries use US made cells. Most if not all copycats use China made cells that are packaged without going through proper tests. These China batteries can be packed very densely giving consumer more charge in a single package but what people do not realize is that if cells are packed too densely without the proper protection design on the Battery Management System, the whole battery becomes unstable and potentially dangerous.
The construction and structure of many counterfeit or fake Inokims are of a lower quality and QC is almost non-existent in many cases. In most cases, there will be hairline cracks on the deck which becomes a safety issue when riding for a few months. These hairline cracks will worsen to the extent below. We have encountered numerous cases of these fake Inokims having structural issues like this:
These are becoming more commonplace. Black market or grey market scooters have their original serial no. scrubbed off to prevent authorities from finding out the source of manufacture. This is actually illegal. All original products need to have the original serial no. for authorities to trace the source in the event of a recall or product defect.
Don’t risk your life purchasing a cheap electric scooter from an unverified China factory that simply copied the design of the original product without putting the product through the proper test and certification procedures. That is precisely why these copycats are significantly cheaper than the original.
If you are shopping for a reliable entry-level electric scooter, you can consider the Inokim Mini. The Mini is an entry level electric scooter at an extremely affordable price.
]]>People who live in congested urban areas are starting to look for simpler, lightweight forms of transportation to get to and from where they need to be. Spending hours per week, stuck in traffic while your car spews out fumes is becoming a pain for a growing number of people, and they are turning to alternative mobility devices like e-bikes and electric scooters as their vehicle of choice.
If you have been thinking about making that switch, you may have wondered which of the two is the best option. Let’s take a closer look at both to help you decide.
One of the biggest advantages of e-bikes is that many cities have dedicated bike lanes in place for commuters looking to get about on two wheels. In Bangkok, the authorities are building over 365km of bicycle lanes around the city for pedestrians and cyclists.
The great benefit here is that it is a lot less dangerous than trying to weave in and out of traffic or feeling that you are too close to the other vehicles on the road when you ride.
Another thing to consider when making this decision is your comfort level. Given that an e-bike comes complete with a seat, you are likely to be a little more comfortable than you would be with an electric scooter.
Despite that comfort, you will still get a decent workout as ebikes that comply with Singapore’s regulation require the use of the pedal assist function rather than a fully automated system. That means the rider would still have to pedal an e-bike for the motor to function.
Cycling has long been considered a great way to stay in shape, and while you won’t have to pedal all the time with an e-bike, you still have the option of getting in a little bit of a workout if you want to by adjusting the power level of the motor.
As great as e-bikes are, not everyone is able to ride one. While many people learn to ride a bike as a kid, there are also plenty who have never learned. An electric scooter is an excellent option for those folks, as learning to ride on an e-scooter is much easier than learning to ride a bike as an adult.
However, this is also not the only reason to make this particular choice. Safety is a major concern for a lot of people out on the road, which is exactly where you need to be with an e-bike. People who use an electric scooter are able to ride on the sidewalk, which is certainly a safer option than competing for space with 10-ton trucks. In Singapore, e-scooter riders have the choice of using the bike lanes or the sidewalks.
Electric scooters are also designed to be smaller, lighter and easier to manage than an e-bike, especially the Inokim Light and E-TWOW Booster Version 2 which combines power, comfort and portability. People who work in an office can easily store them under their desk there while they work. This means that there isn’t a concern about needing to find a place to chain up their ride, hoping upon hope that it will still be there when they get out of work at closing time.
A third advantage of e-scooters is that being lower to the ground in a standing position, the e-scooter rider is able to seamless hop on and off the scooter, seamlessly weaving through crowded pedestrian pathways. An ebike user will find dismounting the bike a bit more challenging.
There are definite pros and cons that need to be weighed when it comes time to make a decision between an e-bike and an electric scooter. Both are great ways to get around without leaving a huge carbon footprint, and both are excellent choices for people looking to get OUTDOORS!
At the end of the day the decision that you make will more than likely come down to a personal choice, and there really isn’t a bad one to make. Hope this article helps you get closer to the your decision.
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