Are Electric Scooters the Future of transportation?

Have you ever wondered about the hours you wasted in traffic jams with your car? Do frequent drives to the gas station annoy you too? We know how looking for parking space can give you a hard time, especially when you are already running late for a meeting. Now, you can tackle all of these with a few lifestyle changes.

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The rapidly advancing technologies are leading us towards a brighter future, for sure. Be it innovative gadgets or newly developed renewable energies, technology, has improved our lives in a zillion ways. One such contribution of technology is the Electric Scooter (e-scooter). Electric scooters are a perfect alternative to all other conventional modes of transport, which is why they are taking the developed cities by storm.

For almost a decade now, electric scooters have established themselves as the most practical and affordable means for commuting. The unique features and developed technology provide that extra oomph to cover longer distances with minimum effort. With the unpleasant Covid-19 situation still creating difficulties for shared rides and public transport, an electric scooter is a more sensible mode to cover shorter distances. So, here is all you need to know about them.

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What are electric scooters?

Electric scooters are light, compact vehicles that allow you to travel from one point to another within a short period. Despite being a product of highly advanced technology, these are not so complex compared to other means of transportation. They are fun to travel around. Another crucial benefit of electric scooters is that they are, comparatively, less harmful to the environment. They can bring sufficient reduction of carbon footprint.

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How does it work?

Batteries, motors, and DC to DC converters are the crucial components of an electric scooter. It also has several other parts such as the handlebar, throttle, brakes, screen, headlight, suspension, charging port, and many more.

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But a battery forms the core of any electric scooter. It is the storehouse of energy that allows the scooter to run. Recharging the batteries is possible because of a few crucial materials such as Lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, nickel-zinc, and nickel-metal hydride. Ideally, lithium-ion batteries are most efficient for e-scooters because it allows high energy density while remaining light and compact. A battery charger can charge it. It converts the electricity from the mains to charge the battery. Another crucial part of an e-scooter is the Motor. The battery is attached to it through some wires. For most modern electric scooters, the Motors are inbuilt in the wheel itself. Some of them have two motors attached to each of the wheels. The overall performance of the scooter, including its speed, is based on the quality of the motor.

How does it operate?

The functioning of the e-scooters starts with the throttle. When the user presses the throttle, electric signals get transferred to the battery of the scooter. It then releases power, which gets transmitted to the Motor through the wires. Now, it uses the energy from the battery to produce a forward movement of the wheels. Though there is a lot more in detail of how it works, this is the basic functioning of an electric motor.

Why are e-scooters so popular?

Cities across the world are experiencing a change in urban mobility. E-scooters are buzzing all around in such places. Though most of them are for personal use, one can also rent them by the hour.

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• Ride across with zero effort

E-scooters require almost no physical effort. You can glide on the streets without having to worry about pedaling. It saves your time and energy, so you reach super fresh to work without being drenched in all that sweat. But having said that, make sure you carry on with your regular workout.

• E-scooters are affordable

These are the best alternatives to petrol bikes and scooters. You do not have to worry about fuel hikes anymore. Electric scooters require charging. It is way cheaper than the cost of fuel. They need less space in the parking, and the best way could be to keep them in the hallway. 

• E-scooters are safer in the Covid-19 situation.

The pandemic has led to lesser crowds in buses and other means of public transport. Even when things are getting better, people do not prefer them. In such cases, e-scooters are perfect for commuting. You can avoid jumping into packed buses and trains. Hence, you have a lesser chance of being infected.

• They require low maintenance.

Though electric scooters do not come as maintenance-free, they do not want the same attention as your cars and motorbikes. All you need is to keep a check on the brakes and the tires. If your e-scooter has air-filled tires, frequently check for the tire pressure using a bike pump with a pressure gauge. You do not have to worry about the packed gas stations anymore.

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Electric Scooters and Sustainability

It is indeed true that electric scooters are less polluting in comparison to conventional means of transport. But when it comes to the environmental impact of these vehicles, it is not as simple as it appears to be. There is still much debate going around the issue of ecological means of transportation.
Many studies suggest that electric scooters are way more harmful to the environment. However, some others hold the complete opposite opinion. They say that these vehicles are eco-friendly, considering the levels of carbon emission during the use phase.

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To get it correct, we need to get deeper into the matter. The analysis of the environmental impact of e-scooters calls for an understanding of the four stages involved in its life cycle. The first stage is about the manufacturing of the product. It requires the extraction of raw materials and energy to transform these materials into a usable form. The second phase involves the production of power. The burning of coal, gas, or oil to produce energy increases greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. But there are safer alternatives to produce electricity like decarbonated energy. The third stage is when the product is in use. It is during this phase that electric scooters are pollution-free. The final stage is about recycling the vehicles and their parts. The crucial element here is the battery because this can make them responsible for massive pollution. However, the end goal is to use them in a civilized way to make them last longer.

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But before you get onto the streets with your e-scooter, make sure to check out the rules. Yes, you heard me right! With more and more people joining the micro-mobility form of transport, the government has imposed few laws for a hassle-free experience. Though there are no fixed rules for e-scooter in particular, they fall under the same category of vehicles having two/three wheels. There is a low-speed limit set for them, which ranges from 15 to 20 mph. Even age is a factor involved in riding an e-scooter. Most of the states in the United States have agreed upon sixteen as a legal age. However, also remember that all of these rules may vary from state to state. So, do not forget to check out those rules of your state before hitting the roads.