Among the many trends that you will find today, one of the most accepted in the world is the use of alternative vehicles that work both as a form of travel and fun. Among them you will find for example with the electric scooter, the typical skateboard of all the life but that now takes a motor and makes much easier its use adjudging him new characteristics. Knowing how an electric scooter works, is essential before deciding on one of them.
According to the legislation in Spain, this type of vehicle is called a personal mobility vehicle or PMV, therefore they are classified as vehicles that do not need a driver’s license, nor is it necessary to have insurance contracted with them.
It was in 1963 when two young people from the United States who were surfers decided that they wanted to prove what it was like to surf but on land, thus creating the first scooter. They called this one “Surf Roll”. In the ’80s the scooter was undergoing various modifications adding its handle, rear brake and handlebar. Little by little it was getting closer to how we know it today. It was not really until the 90’s when the electric motor was added creating the first electric scooter. Day by day, its features and benefits are improving, thus making it a vehicle loved by all.
Now let’s see how is the operation of an electric scooter so you do not have any doubt about it. You will always benefit from this information before buying the best electric scooter.
What will you find in this guide?
How an electric scooter works
It seems easy to guess the fact of how e scooter works, however it consists of more elements than you are sure you are considering right now.
The scooter has built-in an engine that has rechargeable batteries that are usually lead or lithium. Thanks to this, the skate can reach a speed of between 10 and 40 mph according to the model.
Basically the operation of an electric scooter can be summarized as follows:
- The motor, which is the one that provides the force for the movement, is located in the area of the frame.
- From there, the batteries that are inside are activated, which will transmit their electricity back to the motor. For this, there are some wires that work as connectors.
- Depending on the type of electric scooter model, the engine will provide the necessary energy to the front wheel or failing to both wheels. Thus, the scooter will start its movement of displacement.
It should be noted that the type of motor that electric scooters usually have is a type of engine with brushes, which makes them strong and high quality motors, although for some experts, this type of motor has a shorter life. to engines that do not have built-in brushes.
As for the brake system, you will find two different systems that can be the drum system or the disc system. Either of the two systems will work in a similar way since at the moment when we press the control of them, located on the handlebar, the electric scooter will begin to decelerate both partially and totally. This happens basically thanks to the friction between a flat surface and a moving surface. Later we will see the differences between these brakes.
Parts that make up an electric scooter
In order to know more about how the electric scooter works, let’s see what are the parts that comprise it:
Electric engine
We commented previously that the electric scooter or electric scooter has a type of engine with brushes. It is usually the part with greater durability within its elements as well as the one that less inconveniences or failures gives.
Battery
Inside the electric motor we will find rechargeable batteries. The vast majority of scooters now have lead acid batteries that have a useful life of about 500 charging cycles. Depending on the volts of the electric scooter may have one or more batteries inside, for example in the 35V scooters will have 3 batteries since each of them is 12V.
Brakes
Previously we advanced the fact that there were two types of brakes, both the drum system and the disc system. In both systems, it is necessary that there is a friction of a surface that is fixed with a surface that is mobile. For example, in the drum brake system the surface that is fixed is the brake shoe while the mobile is the drum itself that rotates at the same time as the wheels.
In the case of the disc braking system, the moving part will be that of the disc that is together with the wheel and that will be stopped by contact and friction with the pads that are on the flat surface.
It is important to know that the two systems generate heat due to the force they must perform for the brake or the reduction in speed.
The brakes are activated on the handlebar, exactly as it works on the bike of all life where you have to brake by pressing the lever, so it will be very natural.
Wheels
Within the elements of the wheels must be taken into account first if the wheel will have a camera or not. While a wheel without a camera will allow it to have greater durability, the reality is that most electric scooters on the market come with a camera.
On the other hand, the diameter of the wheels should be taken into account. The larger the diameter allows us to have more cushioning, less vibration and greater speed. A usual size is 10 ”. However, a small diameter wheel also has its own advantages such as being able to have more control and stability. In this case, it could be a 4 “wheel.
Finally, you must also take into account in the wheels its tread which can be designed for the city or be all-terrain. It is clear that the bands for the city are smoother and therefore will have a better grip on surfaces of that style. The all-terrain bands can support any type of soil without inconvenience.
Controller
It is the element that will allow as users we can control at all times the power that the engine is providing us.
Transmission
Depending on the model, you will find one type of transmitter or another. In general there are three different styles: direct transmission, with chain or with strap. Those that have less power will have a transmitter by belt, while those with greater power will choose the chain transmission making them much more resistant.
Shock absorbers
It is another of the important sections of the electric scooter. They are usually helical spring. Its main function is that there is less vibration and more cushioning.
Frame
The box of electric scooters is usually foldable, which allows them to be very simple to transport from one side to the other. You will find different materials such as aluminum or stainless steel, which will vary its price.
In addition to the above, in some models you can find for example an electric scooter with seat. It is not more or less than adding a seat to the scooter which allows you to sit on it.
There are also those scooters for people with reduced mobility. They are electric scooters that incorporate other types of elements in order to fulfill all the functions that may be needed in the transfer of a person with reduced mobility such as having a basket to load the purchase.
How an electric scooter is handled
You already know the general parts of an electric scooter and how it works. It is time then to know how it is handled, ie how you get on it, how to slow down, how to put it in motion, etc.
How to get on
The use of an electric scooter is much simpler than other models that are currently trending in the market. To start using it will be as easy as getting one foot on it and with the other start speeding as if it were a traditional scooter, without a motor. You must do this for at least one meter. It will be there only when the scooter slowly picks up speed when the electric motor is going to start. Then yes, you can already raise your other foot to the scooter and walk everywhere.
How to get more speed with an electric scooter
As with electric bicycles, depending on the model, you will have a device on the handlebar to control changes in speed. It will be as simple as turning it and you will notice that the scooter takes more speed. Be careful if you are on a descent because the speed of the scooter could be very large.
How to stop
The braking of the scooter is also very simple. You will have to press the handle that is in the box or handlebar. Again, depending on the model of your scooter you will have a braking for both wheels or for one of them, although in most designs nowadays, it has a brake lever on both sides, that is, braking the front wheel as the rear one, just like you would on a normal bicycle.
How to get off
When you have reached your destination, it will be as simple as slowing down with the brakes. Once you have achieved it, first descend one foot on the ground and then descend the other. We always recommend that your right foot be first, since it will give you greater stability.
How to fold the frame of an electric scooter
One of the great advantages of this vehicle, unlike others such as an electric bicycle is that in one minute you can fold the scooter to carry it in your hand. The system for folding the frame will depend on the model, but generally they bring a button or a push system that causes the frame to bend and thus be next to the foot support area making it fold and take up less space.
How to load an electric scooter?
What you should know about the battery?
One of the most worrying elements is the fact of how to load an electric scooter. The battery is essential for the scooter to work and its autonomy allows us to move from one point to another.
How to charge an electric scooter is really simple. It involves placing the charger cable in the corresponding pin on the scooter and then connecting the cable to the electricity. Thus, it will begin to load. Once the charge is complete, we will see a green LED light that clearly indicates that the charge of the batteries has been completely made.
How it is recommended to do battery charges
First of all, the recommendation is that you should not let the battery discharge completely because when you have this fact continuously, what could be causing is that the batteries can not communicate with each other and therefore cause a failure in the inner part of the electric scooter. One of the reasons why sometimes the electric scooter does not work and we do not realize it.
On the other hand, when we put the batteries to charge, they must be charged 100%. We know that sometimes because of the rush we can not leave the battery charging all the time you need, but find out beforehand how much time will be necessary for the battery of your electric scooter to be fully charged and be sure to leave that time in order to be fully charged The charging time can vary from one model to another being between two or three hours. Of course, this time will be less if the battery has half the charge.
The general recommendation is to charge the batteries after each use, thus preventing them from being completely discharged and having the certainty that the electric scooter is necessary to move from one point to another.
Factors that influence the autonomy of the battery
There are many factors that can influence the autonomy of the battery.
For example, when the battery is 100% charged, and the green LED light remains on, it should be disconnected from the plug. A common mistake in these cases is to leave the cable connected which could lead to overheating of the battery and therefore not working properly or on the contrary that its useful life is less than expected.
Also keep in mind that the weight of the user is one of the factors that affects the battery’s autonomy. The force that the motor must make to move a person with a weight of 100lbs is not the same as transferring a person with 160lbs.
Something similar happens with the surface through which the electric scooter is driven. Climbing slopes or walking on surfaces with obstacles will imply that the scooter must spend more battery than if the road we are going to make has a completely smooth surface.
If you are going to spend some time without using the batteries, keep in mind that at least every two months they should receive a charge since their useful life can be affected due to lack of use.
When the battery begins to give problems it will surely be time to replace it with a new one, although it is always advisable to carry out all the previous checks to really know if the failure is not another or if it really is necessary to change the battery of the electric scooter.
Types of electric scooters
As in all cases, there are different types of designs and scooters on the market to meet the needs of all users. Knowing how an electric scooter works before use is important, but because there are different types of electric scooters, it may not be clear to you how it works.
Let’s see what are the types of main electric scooters:
Electric Scooter: This is the lifelong scooter, which was created in the 60’s with two wheels and a handlebar. Now it has the difference that it has an electric motor so that the transfer and use is much more extended. A good example of an electric scooter would be the Xiaomi Mi Scooter, which is the first on the sales charts.
Segway: It is a two-wheeled vehicle, which has the famous gyroscopic system, that is, self-balancing. At all times it has an internal micro processor that is controlling the movements through its sensors. It also has a handlebar, hence its shape is similar to the scooter but with the special system of self balancing.
Electric Skateboard: Right away your figure comes to mind, talking about an electric skateboard or electric skateboard will be very simple because it is the same as a skateboard but with an engine. It is our body that allows the balance of the skate along with the remote control that will allow it to turn on, accelerate and other types of functions. In this group we will also highlight the electric longboard where elements from one design to another are changing, such as their wheels, the incorporation of lights or the actions to be carried out with the remote control.
Hoverboard: Considered a descendant of the segway, it is normal for you to meet this vehicle as a mini-segway or Smart scooter. It is a board with two wheels which also makes use of the gyro and self-balancing system through which, depending on where the weight is placed, the hoverboard will advance, reverse or turn. With sensors inside, LED lights, screen, electric motor, battery, remote control and more, you can make 360-degree turns and move at a speed of 6 to 10 mph. Unlike the previous ones, some practice is needed to understand its use. In this group we will highlight the Spadger Hoverboard, the best-selling hoverboard in 2018 and 2019.
Electric Unicycle: Also called electric wheel or electric unicycle, is very similar to the hoverboard but with the difference that it has a single main wheel. The operation is also self-balancing and through the gyroscopic system. The feet are going to be parallel resting on the footrests that open to the sides of the central wheel. It is a vehicle that has different variants according to the design and in which a little practice is also needed to understand its use and maintain the natural balance with the body. The inMotion models are the ones that lead the best-selling group: InMotion V8 and InMotion V10F.
We hope that with this guide it has become clear to you how an electric scooter works. It is clear that it is an alternative and special vehicle for both children and adults and that without a doubt you can become your best friend if you use it daily to go to work or to move to different parts of the city. Its practicality, versatility and simple operation make the electric scooter one of the classic and favorite models of the public that wants to take care of the environment and find fun at every step.
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