Electric Scooters – What is an Electric Scooter?
Have you considered an electric scooter but were intimidated because you just didn't know enough about them? With just a little information you will know all you need to about the wonder scooters that are affording thousands their freedom and independence.
Find, Compare, and Buy a Mobility Scooter
An electric scooter is simply a battery-powered 3 or 4-wheeled vehicle for use by one individual. They are designed specifically for the unique needs of people who have difficulty walking. There are three broad types of electric scooters - scooters for indoor use, scooters for outdoor use, and scooters designed for use both indoors and out.
Although models vary, electric scooters normally come equipped with:
- A Metal or plastic chassis with 3 or 4 inflatable tires - Depending upon weather the electric scooter is intended for indoor, outdoor or indoor/outdoor use, the tires may be soft or hard, filled with air or foam.
- An adjustable seat with armrests - The seat adjusts to fit the rider. It also swivels to allow the driver to get on and off with ease. The swivel seat also allows easy access to tables and desks while seated on the scooter.
- A tiller with controls - The tiller on an electric scooter is a combination steering handles, gas pedal, and control panel. It adjusts up and down to fit the driver, and tilts for easy access on and off the scooter. A scooter's bicycle-like handles steer left and right. What may appear to be a hand brake is actually the throttle.
- Mounted on top of the tiller is "control central" - It is a console with an ignition switch that requires a key, a speed control (usually offering high, low, or medium), a switch to change back and forth from forward to reverse, and a battery gauge displaying available power.
- A sophisticated breaking system - Most scooters won't have driver-operated brakes. Instead, electric scooters use an automatic breaking system called regenerative braking. When the driver releases the throttle, the brakes automatically take hold. In addition to the regenerative braking system there is a parking brake which holds the vehicle in place after it stops.
- An Electric Motor with Rechargeable Batteries – An electric scooter's motor is powered by two rechargeable, lead batteries. Scooters can travel along at speed of up to eight miles an hour and travel up to 35 miles on a single battery charge. These statistics will vary depending upon the make and smodel of the scooter. Also your scooter's speed and range will vary with travel conditions. Roads that are particularly hilly and bad weather, for example, slow you down and call for increased battery power. Most likely, the most expensive maintained cost you will incur is a new set of gel cell batteries. They cost around $180 and last the average user 12 to 24 months.
Today, most electric scooter owners pay for their scooters out of their own pockets. However, if you qualify, Medicare may reimburse you for part or all of the cost. To qualify you will need to use your electric scooter indoors at least part of the time, it must be medically necessary, and prescribed by a physician. Some private health insurance plans also cover scooters. It will take some paperwork, and some of your time, but it is worth it.
Why an electric scooter instead of a motorized wheelchair? Although a scooter is not your only choice in motorized mobility aids, it has some distinct advantages. The most significant is the cost. A motorized wheelchair will cost from 5 to 10 times what an electric scooter will cost. Scooters are also more versatile. Select models can be used indoors and out. And although an electric wheelchair can be used on sidewalks and streets, they are not considered an outdoor vehicle.
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