When choosing your first electric scooter, it’s easy to get bewildered by electrical ratings. Volts? Watts? Brushless DC Motors? You just want a fast, affordable scooter that can climb hills!
But you can learn to decipher the rated specs of any electric vehicle's motor power. In fact, it's the superpower you need to find an electric scooter best suited to your riding needs and preferences.
Need one motor or two? What is peak power, and why does it matter? Do all electric scooters have brushless DC hub motors?
We’ll answer these questions and many more in our beginner’s guide to electric scooter motors below.
Most every scooter – the overwhelming majority of electric scooters, that is – uses some kind of BLDC hub motor, which means that the motor lives inside one or both of the scooter’s wheels. A hub-mounted electric motor is a part we hardly ever notice, but without it, the most powerful scooters on the road wouldn't be going anywhere.
BLDC motors have almost fully replaced brushed DC motors, an older electric motor technology that uses mechanical brushes to move electrical current. Brushed motors are far less efficient than Brushless motors and more subject to mechanical failure and overheating.
Since you'll probably never see a Brushed DC motor on an electric scooter, we won't dwell on other differences. It's enough to say that BLDC motors allow for regenerative braking, in which the excess heat generated by electronic braking gets turned into electricity and transferred back to the battery.
Electric motors are primarily rated in Volts and Watts, although a few other numbers can also come into play. Power itself comes from the battery, the electric scooter’s gas tank.
When you turn the throttle, the controller sends the right amount of electrical power to the motor, and the BLDC hub motor turns electricity into physical torque, transmitting it directly to one or both wheels.
Voltage measures how much current can push through to the motor. A higher voltage motor will generally be more efficient. An electric scooter motor's voltage correlates with the voltage of its controller and battery, and all work together to deliver power most efficiently.
Some of the most common voltages for electric scooters are 24V, 36V, 48V, 52V, 60V, 72V, and even, at the very high end, 84V in hugely powerful scooters like Minimotors Dualtron X Limited. In general, higher voltage electrical systems generate more power for faster acceleration, more torque, and a higher top speed.
Watts is a measure of power consumption, or the amount of power that a motor can consume. In general, a higher motor watt rating will mean faster acceleration, higher load limit, and higher top speeds.
Motor wattage offers one key indicator to motor performance, but it's not the only one, and two motors rated with the same wattage can perform very differently in the real world in terms of acceleration and hill climbing ability, for example.
Watts tells you how much power an electric motor can take, but not how much power output it can generate in return.
Nominal power, also called continuous power, is the amount of motor power an electric scooter motor can safely consume for an extended period of time without overheating or incurring damage. Like "horsepower," watts is an imprecise measurement, and manufacturers can measure motor wattage differently.
Watts are not a measure of how efficient a motor might be. Two 500W motors, for example, might not have the same mechanical power. This number doesn't tell us much about scooter performance, on its own, and two motors with the same sustained or continuous power consumption might have very different motor performance in the form of output.
Most quality electric scooters will list their motor power rating in two figures: Nominal (or continuous) power and Peak power.
Peak power consumption refers to the amount of power a motor can consume in shorter bursts of high intensity.
Generally, the higher the rated peak power, the faster an electric scooter will accelerate and climb hills, so it's important to pay attention to this number.
Torque describes the twisting force produced by a turning motor, and it's the force that turns the wheels and makes the scooter move.
Torque is measured in Newton meters (NM) or foot-pounds. Most electric scooters, however, don't list a motor's torque (though some might describe their vehicles as "torquey").
Watts measures the input capacity of electric motors-- the amount of power they can consume -- while torque describes their output, the actual motor power generated.
Electric scooter manufacturers do not provide this figure, so it's important to read reviews written by people who have ridden an electric scooter you might want to buy to find out how it actually performs on the road.
When it comes to speed and acceleration, a motor's wattage is not the only factor to consider. The weight of the rider and the terrain can also affect performance.
Additionally, the type of motor an electric scooter can also impact acceleration and top speed. For example, a dual motor scooter will generally have faster acceleration and a higher top speed than a single motor scooter.
As noted, an electric scooter's voltage can also affect speed and acceleration, as can the size of its battery cells and the efficient operation of its motor controller.
Higher wattage motors and motors with higher torque are better equipped to handle steep inclines. hill climbing ability is also greatly affected by factors such as rider weight, terrain, and even weather and wind direction.
It's important to consider the climate, the terrain you'll be riding, and the weight of the rider when choosing an electric scooter motor.
If you plan on tackling hills frequently, or riding in adverse conditions, it's best to opt for a scooter with a higher wattage motor, higher peak power rating, and higher torque.
Dual motor power will pretty much always get you over hills faster than single motor power.
Single motor scooters use one DC electric motor mounted in either the front or rear wheel. While several great budget electric scooter models, like the Gotrax G3 Plus, have front-mounted hub motors, rear-mounted motors are preferable for reasons we'll discuss below.
As the name suggests, front-mounted DC electric motors mount inside the front wheel of an electric scooter. Scooters with front hub motors tend to also have relatively low wattage and rarely rate above 500W for continuous power.
Electric scooters with rear hub motors, like the EMOVE Cruiser, tend to have better traction on wet or slippery roads, and they also tend to have better hill climbing ability than scooters with front hub motors.
This is because front hub motors tend to do more pulling than pushing, with the weight of the scooter and rider creating unwanted drag.
Since riders mostly plant their weight over the rear wheel, especially when stopping or climbing hills, a rear wheel drive scooter will tend to have more stability and be less prone to spinning out in wet conditions.
You've got to have at least one motor to power your scooter, but why not one in each wheel? Dual hub motors give an electric scooter twice the power for exceptional climbing and faster acceleration.
Most dual hub motor electric scooters cost well over $1000 and weigh over 50 pounds, with one very rare exception, the Unagi Model One Classic and Model One Voyager, both of which have dual 250W motors but weight under 30 pounds.
Dual motor scooters typically require more battery capacity. The Model One Voyager's energy dense battery cells give it about twice the miles of its predecessor, for dual motor power and up to 25 miles of range.
As we've noted, rear wheel scooters perform better in wet conditions, even better than dual motors unless you have traction control. For that reason, it's better to switch off dual motors and use only the rear motor if you happen to find yourself riding in the rain.
Most dual motor scooters will consume less power and get longer range in single motor mode. Surprisingly, the Unagi Voyager's motors are so efficient that it gets better range with both motors switched on.
Entry-level and commuter electric scooters, designed for short commutes or leisurely rides around town, often have motors in the 350-700W range.
These scooters are great for those on a budget or those who don't need a lot of power for their daily rides, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be plenty powerful.
High quality electric scooters with motors rated between 350-500W can typically reach speeds of 18-20mph, accelerate quickly, and climb relative steep inclines with ease.
Scooters with motor power ratings between 700W and 1000W are typically intermediate vehicles with fast acceleration, high speeds over 20 mph, and longer ranges than entry level or basic commuter scooters.
Whether single or dual motor, these scooters have more power on hand for climbing hills and can typically handle a higher weight limit and coast over rougher terrain.
Electric scooters with motors rated at over 1000W are typically dual motor performance scooters with very high top speeds (40-50mph), race-worthy acceleration, and off-road abilities.
Examples in this category include huge dual hub motor scooters like the NAMI BURN-E 2 and Kaabo Wolf King GT, both of which boast over 2000W of power from their combined front and rear motors.
Scooters with this kind of power come with price tags to match and will typically cost somewhere in the $2000-$4000 range.
Let's review: while a motor's power consumption rating, expressed in watts, gives us some idea of its overall output power, two motors with the same wattage can perform very differently. It's a motor's efficiency that makes the difference.
Motors with higher voltage tend to be more efficient and have higher torque for more power over hills and faster acceleration.
The amount of power you need to power your electric scooter, however, will depend entirely on the main reason you're riding that scooter. If you're cruising around town, running errands, and commuting a few miles each way, then a single 500W motor can be more than enough. Some scooters with 350W motors perform just as well or better than many rated at 500W.
Few, if any, single motor 500W scooters will perform as well as the Unagi Voyager. With its dual, switchable 250W motors, 36V system, and energy dense 21700 Lithium ion battery cells, the Voyager combines is the ultimate in compact, portable, electric motor power.
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This is the definitive guide to electric scooters. It is a starting point for all information about their history, different components, commuting, laws, safety, maintenance, and scooter sharing.
A typical adult scooter weighs under 30 lbs, has a 250-watt motor, a 250 watt-hour lithium-ion battery, has a top speed of 15 mph, a range of 10 miles, and costs around $500.
Some notable models are the Xiaomi Mi M365 , Dualtron, Wide Wheel, Zero 10X, Boosted Rev and Wolf Warrior 11.
Some popular brands of electric scooters for adults are: Boosted, Glion, GoTrax, Xiaomi, Swagtron, Zero, and Fluid FreeRide, Kaabo, and MiniMotors.
Adult electric scooters are the most common type of scooter available on the market. They differ from electric scooters intended for children because they have larger weight capacity, typically around 220 lbs (100 kg), more powerful motors, larger battery, larger deck, and a taller stem. Electric scooters intended for adults also tend to cost at least $300 whereas an electric scooter intended for children can typically be had for under $200.
Though most companies are making electric scooters for adults , some companies — notably Razor — are targeting the kids and young teen market .
Scooter sharing has increased the general public awareness of micromobility and driven the growth of the personal market. The explosion of the personal market has led to the import of hundreds of different models of electric scooters by a huge number of different brands.
Recently, there has been an enormous surge in interest for scooters — mainly driven by their notorious overnight introduction into cities by scooter sharing companies such as Lime and Bird .
Though the majority of scooters are intended to be ridden while standing on the deck, some scooters can be converted into seated electric scooters with optional accessories.
Electric kick scooters, like the Razor kick scooters of the 1990s, have two wheels, a platform called a deck , and handlebars for steering. They differ from the unmotorized kick scooters of the 90s due to the addition of a battery , electronics, larger (often air-filled ) tires , and an electric motor .
Note: Larger or taller teens should use an adult electric scooter because a kids scooter will likely be too small and underpowered.
A typical children’s electric scooter weighs around 20 lbs, has 150-watt motor, 100 watt-hour battery (either sealed lead acid or lithium-ion), a range of 3 miles, and costs around $200.
Some popular brands of electric scooters for kids are: Razor and Jetson.
It is worth noting that children’s electric scooters aren’t typically much more than toys and should be used as such. They shouldn’t be used for riding on public roads or ridden by adults.
Electric scooters intended for kids or teens are typically smaller, lighter, and less expensive than their adult counterparts. They are often made of less durable materials such as plastic, have weak motors, and may even contain low energy density lead-acid batteries.
If you have a need for a scooter with a seat, then you might consider an electric bicycle instead. Electric bicycles are typically easier to ride, faster, and more comfortable for longer distances. You can’t fold them up for easier carrying — but neither can you fold a seated electric scooter.
A hallmark of the modern e-scooter is its ability to fold — making it both portable for carrying and convenient for storing. This is the main advantage of folding electric scooters, compared to electric bicycles. When a seat is added to an electric scooter, this typically eliminates its folding ability and, in our eyes, reduces many of the advantages of folding e-scooters.
Seated electric scooters are primarily for adults and made to make longer rides more comfortable. Most electric scooters do not come with a seat, but many have optional seat attachments that are sold as separate accessories.
Breakdown (of All of the Parts) of an Electric Scooter
Electric scooters have a handful of different parts, but the major ones are: batteries, brakes, controller, deck, handlebars, lights, motor, stem, suspension, and tires.
Batteries are rated in watt-hours, abbreviated Wh, which is a measure of their capacity. Battery capacity is one of the important factors that determine electric scooter range. A typical budget scooter will have a capacity of around 250 watt-hours while monster scooters can have capacities of almost 3,000 watt-hours.
Most electric scooters will have a battery pack comprised of lithium-ion battery cells, though some electric scooters for kids and other inexpensive scooters actually have lead-acid batteries .
Batteries are the “gas tank” of an electric scooter. They store the energy that is consumed by the electric motor and other accessories, including lights.
Electric scooter battery packs are made up of many individual cells that are assembled together.
Many scooters will have a combination of both electronic and mechanical braking systems. For safety reasons, we recommend scooters that have at least two braking systems in case one fails.
Typically mechanical braking systems will offer much stronger braking than electronic systems. However, electronic systems benefit from not requiring any periodic adjustments or maintenance.
Electronic braking systems rely on using the motor itself for braking and include strictly electronic and regenerative braking systems.
Mechanical brake systems are those that rely on a physical mechanism to slow the scooter down and are: disc, drum, and foot brakes.
Like those on a car or bicycle, brakes are what slow the electric scooter down. Electric scooter brakes can be broken down into two categories: mechanical and electronic.
A quality braking system, such as the disc brake picture above, is essential for staying safe and in control while riding an electric scooter.
Controllers are one of the most under-appreciated parts of the electric scooter because they quietly do their job most of the time. They can be a huge source of headache (or make the scooter unsafe) when things go wrong. On some poorly designed scooters controllers are known to fail or malfunction.
Controllers are rated based on the voltage and current they are able to regulate. Scooters with more powerful motors will have controllers with higher max voltage and higher max current ratings.
The speed controller is an electronic component buried deep inside of the scooter that controls the flow of current from the battery to the motor. They typically look like rectangular metal cans with many wires coming out of them. The metal enclosure serves as a heat sync. The controller receives inputs from the accelerator and (electronic) brake controls and translates that into a current that is sent to the motor.
The typical scooter deck size is 14″ by 5″ inches and gives a few inches of ground clearance.
Most decks have some type of textured finish that provides better grip between your shoes and the scooter. Some scooters, like the Rev pictured above, have a sloped deck that gives you more space to place your feet.
The electric scooter deck — like that of a skateboard — is the thing you stand on. Some electric kick scooters have the battery pack built into the deck.
The deck is the platform you stand on while riding. Many are rubberized to provide better traction.
Unfortunately, its not just the low-end scooters that suffer from poor stem folding mechanisms. The high-end Dualtron scooters are notorious for this issue, despite their otherwise immense quality.
Nearly every scooter has a folding mechanism built into the stem to allow easy carrying and storage. In our e-scooter reviews , we often spend a lot of time focusing on this unsuspecting part. Yet, this is for good reason. The folding mechanism can be difficult work or worse it can be loose or unstable. When you apply force to the handlebars, you’ll notice the whole stem rocking back and fourth — a condition we call stem wobble. This is one of the huge downsides to folding electric scooters.
The stem or neck of the electric scooter is the long tube that is connected to the front wheel and extends up to the handlebars.
The stem is the folding metal tube that connects that handlebars to the front wheels. On some electric scooters the folding mechanism is a source of frustration due to instability.
An average electric scooter, like the Mi M365 will have a 250 watt motor; an intermediate scooter like the Horizon will have a 500 watt motor; extreme performance scooters, like the Wolf Warrior will have dual 1200 watt motors.
Electric motors are rated based on their power consumption which is express in units of watts. More powerful motors will have greater wattage.
Electric scooters have brushless direct current (BLDC) electric motors that are built into the hub of wheels. All electric kick scooters have at least one motor while more powerful ones will have two.
Adult electric scooters have hub motors built into one or both wheels. The powerhouse Wide Wheel pictured above has dual 500-watt motors.
Unfortunately, many electric scooters have sorrowfully weak lights. This is why we nearly always recommend additional lighting for safely riding at night.
Swag and deck lighting are good for increasing visibility and cool factor of your scooter, but no substitute for powerful headlight and taillights.
Nearly every electric scooter comes with at least one LED headlight and a brake-activated tail light. Additionally, many scooters are also including multi-colored LEDs that wrap around or shine from under the deck. We like to call this type of lighting swag lighting.
Good scooter lighting is important for seeing and staying visible at night. Unfortunately, many of the scooters we test have lackluster built-in lighting.
The most portable electric scooters will have folding handlebars that greatly reduce their width and get the scooter down to a very transportable and storable size.
The handlebars are your main connection with the scooter. They are fitted with all the controls, including the accelerator, brakes, speed/settings display, and power buttons.
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Many electric scooters have no suspension, while high performance ones, like the Zero 8X pictured above feature a beefy coil-over-hydraulic suspension.
The suspension of the electric scooter, like that on motor vehicle or bicycle, helps to improve ride quality and dampin bumps in the road.
There are three main types of suspension systems that are typically found on electric scooters: spring, hydraulic or air piston, and rubber suspension. Scooters with the best suspension will have some combination of spring and piston — a combination called coil-over-hydraulic or coil-over-air.
Many scooters forgo suspension in favor of large pneumatic tires that provide damping effects. Large pneumatic tires can offer be a better form of suspension that cheap spring suspensions.
Tires given you traction to accelerate or brake in an emergency. Airless tires, like those pictured above, do not perform as well as pneumatic tires.
Tires are your connection to the road and influence ride quality, traction, range, and braking performance of your electric kick scooter.
Tires come in basically two types: pneumatic (airfilled) and airless. There are a few varieties of airless tires and these include: honeycomb, polymer-filled, and solid.
We always recommend pneumatic tires because they give better ride quality (with or without suspension) and their supple rubber performs much better in adverse road conditions.
For deeper dive into scooter tires, read our technical guide.
Purchasing an electric scooter can be a formidable challenge — there are an overwhelming number of choices, a quality electric scooter is easily $500 and can cost upwards of $2,000.
Throwing a wrench into the matters are numerous dubious “review” sites and reviewers that have never touched a scooter in their life.
We have personally tested and developed unbiased written and video reviews for electric scooters at all price ranges, so that you can find the one that best fits your needs.
Commuting by electric scooter is all part of the new trend in micromobility that solves the so-called last mile problem. The last mile problem refers to the last leg of a trip — whether it be walking from bus station to your office or exiting a freeway in a car to go to a specific destination.
Paradoxically, the leg of a trip tends to be the slowest and most difficult despite being the shortest. This is because public transit systems and roadways are all optimized for connecting big population centers separated by larger distances. Think about it — multilane highways connect major cities separate by tens or hundreds of miles. At average freeway speeds, you can go 60 miles in an hour or about a mile a minute.
However, once you’ve exited the freeway, your last mile or so could take 15 minutes or more!
This is where electric scooters, bike sharing, electric skateboards, etc — all forms of micro-mobility — come into play. They make traveling the last mile of your trip faster, easier, and more environmentally friendly.
If you have to commute just a few miles to work or have to walk from a bus stop or transit center, then an electric scooter is the perfect option for you.
Compared to bicycles, electric scooters are more portable, less prone to theft, and require less physical effort than a bicycle.
They allow you to get to your destination at speeds around 15 mph with no physical effort. You can arrive at your destination more quickly, fold up the scooter, and carry it inside. Because they require less physical effort than powering a bicycle, you won’t be as sweaty as you would if you were to ride a bike (and can get there faster on many scooters).
Electric scooters also have some disadvantages which might make bicycles a better option in some cases. These are: ability to bring inside, stability and cost.
If you aren’t physically able or not allowed to bring your electric scooter inside then a bicycle may be better. Locking an electric scooter up on the street for a prolonged period of time is not optimal — they seem to be more prone to theft, vandalism and are more difficult to lock due to lack of locking points.
Bicycles, due to their geometry and larger tires, are more stable and better on rough roads. Adult scooters have relatively small tires that do not roll over bumps easily. They also have a more upright steering angle which makes them inherently less stable and more prone to wobbles that have sent many a scooter rider down.
Finally, adult electric scooters are more expensive than a quality entry-level bicycle. An entry-level bicycle will run you around $300 and be much more durable. Crashing on a bicycle is unlikely to harm most whereas many scooters, particularly budget ones, can be rendered completely inoperable after a crash.