Electric scooters, everything you need to know
Electric scooters
Electric scooters and motorcycles are becoming an increasingly popular means of transport, especially as the situation linked to the Coronavirus pandemic has forced some people to consider private transport. In addition, emission limits and a ban on the sale of gasoline vehicles are pushing the market towards the much-heralded electric transition.What is an electric scooter?
When we talk about electric scooters, we mean those two-wheeled vehicles characterized by a centrally open frame and by a lower platform that allows the driver a position of ride straight up and with legs parallel.An electric scooter is very similar to any other endothermic scooter, except that it is powered by a rechargeable battery. Furthermore, thanks to an immediate and practically constant torque, the performance of eScooters tend to be higher than their petrol counterparts. In addition, thanks to the absence of a combustion engine, you no longer have to worry about the noise or heat generated when stopping at the traffic light: a considerable convenience.
What are the best electric scooters?
Difficult to say with certainty as the market already offers an almost infinite series of models with various peculiarities; in general we would like to say that, unlike a few years ago, nowadays you may find one or more models that are perfect for your needs. Almost all manufacturers have adapted to market needs, even the legendary Piaggio has recently unveiled the electric Vespa.Autonomy and charging
On average, the autonomy of the models on sale allows a distance of between 70 and 150 km; this is a reduced range compared to the petrol counterparts, but still more than enough to avoid any "refill anxiety". A clarification, however: some manufacturers indicate how much autonomy could be reduced if a passenger were present; in fact, it is not uncommon to find the words "140 Km (at 45 Km / h with driver weight 75 Kg, 2 batteries)".Unlike electric cars, which require a charging station (private or public) , eScooters almost always have a removable battery. This means there is no need to park in a stall, but you can take the battery out and recharge it comfortably at home or in the office. In addition, the ability to remove the battery drastically increases safety and will discourage any attackers.
The duration of the refueling depends on the capacity of the batteries and the power of the charger. In any case, with the “battery swap” you can almost reset the dwell time as long as you have a second battery available.
How do you drive?
Despite what you might think, the weight of eScooters is not very far from that of a petrol scooter. The weight of the battery is very low and the electric powertrain, assisted by regenerative braking, ensure optimal performance in the urban environment. The speeds are similar to those of the petrol versions: 45 km / h for eScooters approved as a moped and 100 km / h (or more) for those approved as a motorcycle. There are also no particular differences for passengers, thanks to the reduced dimensions and the absence of heat sources, it is also possible that the journey will become more pleasant.Costs
A distinction must be made between the initial cost and the costs of use. To buy an eScooter you will probably have to face a higher expense than a more traditional petrol model; a cost which, however, could be reduced by accessing the incentives made available by the Government. Specifically, the categories of vehicles that fall under the eco-bonus are L1e, L2e, L3e, L4e, L5e, L6e and L7e, as classified by Article 47 of the Highway Code. More in detail, while stocks last, the bonus includes:40% discount on the purchase price, up to a maximum of 4,000 euros including VAT, with the scrapping of an L-category vehicle approved for the Euro classes 0, 1, 2 or 3 (or subject to re-calibration in 2012), registered for at least 12 months to the same owner of the new vehicle or to one of his cohabiting family members. Important: The scrapped vehicle and the state contribution Ecobonus 2021 must be indicated in the purchase deed of the new scooter; 30% discount on the purchase price up to a maximum of 3,000 euros, VAT included, without scrapping. The costs of use, on the other hand, are much lower: a full tank costs drastically less and maintenance is really negligible. In fact, the only component that will require maintenance will be the tires; the brakes, thanks to the presence of regenerative braking, are used less than a petrol vehicle.
Does the battery take up space?
Modern lithium batteries do not compromise on-board habitability. , consequently there are no particular differences; you will almost certainly be able to insert a helmet under the saddle and place a bag or backpack on the platform.What license do you need?
The classification of eScooters is similar to that of endothermic scooters but is need to do some clarity. First of all, it should be specified that the power of 4 kW acts as a watershed; if the power is lower than this threshold, class L1 is entered, that is vehicles that are not able to exceed 45 km / h and therefore can be driven by everyone, even by minors (from 14 years upwards).If you want to necessarily make a dualism, the eScooters with power lower than 4 kW are similar to the 50ini, that is the motors with a displacement of 50cc. If the power increases, you enter the scooter / motorcycle category and you need a driving license B or A1. However, there is a condition to be respected: the power must be between 4 and 11 kW. If, in fact, an electric scooter should have a power between 11 and 35 kW, then the motorcyclist must have obtained the A2 license. If the 35 kW threshold is also exceeded, it will be necessary to have an A3 driving license.
