If you browse our range of electric scooters, you’ll quickly notice that they come in all shapes and sizes, and that each one has its own unique list of specifications. But what do these specifications mean – especially if you’re looking to ride an electric scooter across certain terrains?
We’re frequently asked:
- Can electric scooters go uphill?
- Can electric scooters go off-road?
We thought we’d answer the above two questions and provide all the information you need – along with some of our own recommendations – to help you choose with confidence the right electric scooter for you.
Can electric scooters go uphill?
The short answer is, yes.
The longer answer is that some electric scooters are more capable than others of uphill rides, and this capability is measured by their gradability.
The grade of a slope refers to its steepness. It’s calculated by using the formula rise/run x 100. Rise is the height of the hill, and run is the horizontal distance from the bottom of the slope to the top (not along the slope itself). An easier way of thinking about grade is that for a 10% slope, the height increases by 10 feet for every 100 feet.
So an electric scooter with high gradability is more capable of handling steep uphill rides than an electric scooter with low gradability.
There are, of course, other factors worth taking into consideration when searching for the ideal electric scooter for uphill journeys. These include:
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Power: Your electric scooter needs to have a powerful motor – that is, one with a high wattage – to provide sufficient acceleration for travelling uphill. Otherwise you might find yourself stuck at the very bottom of the slope! We’d recommend looking at models with at least 350 watts and over.
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Battery Life: A powerful motor requires a powerful battery, and it’s important to bear in mind that riding your electric scooter uphill is a power-intensive process that can quickly drain your battery. Your electric scooter should have a long-lasting battery – one that offers a terrific range on a single charge.
- Maximum Load: The greatest form of resistance that your electric scooter faces when riding uphill is weight. You want to make sure the model you choose has a high weight limit, as it will be significantly powerful and capable of handling slopes with ease. Fortunately, there are plenty of such models with high weight capacity.
Our electric scooter picks for riding uphill
Most electric scooters are capable of handling low-incline slopes. To make things easier for you, we’re listing 3 models which have some seriously impressive specifications that make long uphill journeys a breeze.
|
Gradability |
40º |
|
Motor |
1200W x 2 |
|
Battery |
60V 35Ah LG |
|
Max Load |
150 kg |
|
Gradability |
50º |
|
Motor |
2000W x 2 |
|
Battery |
72V 35Ah LG |
|
Max Load |
150 kg |
|
Gradability |
35º |
|
Motor |
8300W x 2 |
|
Battery |
72V 42Ah LG |
|
Max Load |
150 kg |
Can electric scooters go off-road?
Again, the short answer is, yes.
And again, the longer answer is that some electric scooters have greater off-road capability than others. There are several specifications to keep in mind when searching for an off-road electric scooter. These include:
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Off-road tyres: Start with the tyres, and work your way up. Traction is important when you go off-road, as the last thing you want is to skid and fall. While road tyres should be fine for grassy paths, you might want to invest in hybrid treaded tyres designed for all-terrain rides if you’re going to be more adventurous and travel across rough terrain. Rubber pneumatic tyres are also a great option as they’re puncture proof.
- Suspension: This is a no-brainer. If you’re going off-road, you need an electric scooter with a robust suspension system and shock absorber. They’re a must for smooth riding. Not only do they spare your joints – especially your wrists – of any discomfort, they ensure you’re in control no matter how unpredictable the terrain gets.
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Brakes: No matter what, you need a good brake system. There are all sorts of brakes that come with electric scooters – such as regenerative or electronic – but experience has taught us that the most responsive and effective are disc brakes. They provide excellent braking power in both wet and dry conditions, and are easy to maintain and adjust.
- Range: If you’re going off-road, you need an electric scooter with excellent range. Firstly, you don’t want to be constantly fretting about when is the right time to turn back due to range limitations. And secondly, imagine running out of juice in the middle of an off-road adventure, with nowhere to go to recharge your battery.
- Build quality: Electric scooters are made from durable, high-quality materials. But for off-road rides, you want to make sure you have an electric scooter with a heavy-duty build which can handle rough knocks. Plus, a strong build reduces stem wobble and makes for a more comfortable, safer ride.
Our electric scooter picks for riding off-road
Taking into consideration all of the points discussed above, we’ve put together a list of 3 electric scooters with amazing build quality that are perfect for off-road adventures. You won’t be surprised to find that two of the best scooters for riding uphill, are also the best for going off-road.
|
Tyres |
11 inch vacuum off-road tyre |
|
Suspension |
Front patent hydraulic shock absorber + Rear C-spring shock absorber |
|
Brakes |
Front and rear hydraulic brake (160) + ABS |
|
Range |
111 miles / 180 km |
|
Tyres |
11” (wide off-road tyres) |
|
Suspension |
Dual suspension |
|
Brakes |
Dual electric |
|
Range |
62 miles/ 100 km |
|
Tyres |
11” (off-road tyres) |
|
Suspension |
Front hydraulic shock absorber, rear spring |
|
Brakes |
Front and rear hydraulic disc brakes, and anti-lock braking system (ABS) |
|
Range |
93 miles/ 150 km |
What electric scooter riders need to keep in mind
Electric scooters are designed for adrenaline-fuelled adventures. That being said, we can’t recommend enough that you remember to play it safe. So whether you’re riding uphill or taking things off-road, please make sure you wear protective gear. If you’re still uncertain about which electric scooter is right for you, check out our buying guides - in which we also talk about light and manoeuvrable electric scooters, weekend warriors, and ones that are perfect for family fun.
