In case you don’t know it yet, here’s a good trivia that will make riders and anyone contemplating on, or currently looking for the right electric scooter, to consider the motor power or the type of motor you may want to get before deciding. You’ll be glad to know about it.
Did you know that the motor is the heart of an e-scooter? While the engine is the heart of the car, the motor determines various aspects of the scooter, including hill-climbing, acceleration, top speed, performance and power consumption. The main role of the motor is to propel the e-scooter by providing it with the power it needs to move forward.
An electric scooter motor is one of the main parts of an e-scooter that helps the rider go to places faster and easier along with the electric scooter battery.
High-performance electric scooters for adults use large motors with powerful engines producing over 1000W of power. If you need an electric scooter that can take you through uneven paths and off-road terrains, consider getting either of MEARTH’S single motor GTS or the dual motor GTS MAX. They have a powerful electric scooter motor.
Moving on to the basics, what is an electric scooter motor – what is its function?
Think of the motor as the e-scooter’s ‘powerplant’. This powerplant, or the ‘heart’ which is the motor, determines and generates the power your e-scooter will use while riding. It will also determine the acceleration, max speed, hill-climbing ability, overall performance, and power consumption of your e-scooter. Most commuter e-scooters include one motor, but high-performance or off-road e-scooters like the GTS MAX usually use dual motors for extra power.
Currently, there are two types of electric scooter motors —
Brushless DC Motor, also called BLDC motor or electronically commutated (EC) motor that uses a new technology to produce an efficient and durable motor with a better power-to-weight ratio. Lauded for its efficiency, it runs quieter and is more resistant to overheating. Premium electric scooters, like the Mearth RS Series, use a BLDC motor for quality performance.
Brushed DC Motor is an older motor technology that uses mechanical brushes to power different coil phases. An old school method in a way, many still support brushed motors for their reliability, toughness, and affordability. The downside is that the brushes wears down over time and can cause a malfunction that can be hazardous to the rider.
Like a heart pumping, how does an electric scooter motor work?
It all depends on the type of motor one’s electric scooter uses. However, it starts with the controller. When you use the throttle on the handlebar, the electric scooter controller lets the motor know it should start running. The controller helps regulate the amount of power the motor produces, which depend on how you, the rider controls the throttle.
Let’s say, you need to go uphill, you will need to your throttle (restrain) input and set the power mode to the highest level. It will prepare your e-scooter to produce the highest amount of power to take on inclines and rough roads. The motor then draws the battery’s energy to generate the needed energy to move.
Next, how do you determine if an electric scooter motor provides sufficient power for a good performance? Manufacturers often list down the rated and maximum motor power that your e-scooter can produce – better take a look at the e-scooter’s technical specs:
E-scooter’s technical specs
Real power is the nominal electric scooter motor power, and it is measured in Watts (W).
Peak Power is the maximum power that your motor can produce. It is measured in Watts (W).
Motor Voltage means that a higher voltage produces higher torque. It also indicates the most efficient voltage while the e-scooter runs. It is measured in Volts (V).
Torque refers to the rotational force that a motor develops. It is measured in Newton-metres (Nm).
Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) refers to the rotating speed of a motor, and it is measured in Revolutions Per Minute (RPM).
On the average, budget and some run-of-the-mill commuter electric scooters offer motor power levels from 200W to 500W. However, each motor power produces different top speeds. For example, a 250W motor produces an average top speed of 25 kph while a 500W motor generates up to 60 kph for some models. High-performance electric scooters like MEARTH offer around 1200W of motor power and this allows riders to reach higher speeds.
Now that you know better, how do you choose an electric scooter motor? Check out mearth.com.au to get to know the real and maximum motor power of an e-scooter. Keep in mind that a lower wattage produces less speed, acceleration, and power, while a higher wattage generates faster acceleration, higher speed, and more power. But note too, that a higher wattage also means that it consumes more battery energy.
Rule of thumb
If you need an everyday electric scooter and you don’t need to go uphill or ride through uneven roads, an e-scooter with around 200W to 300W is enough. If you need an e-scooter that can climb and ride through different terrains, you need to choose an e-scooter with high motor power. In conclusion, the motor power you need depends on your purpose for riding an e-scooter.
The aspect of wear and tear happens. Over time. The electric scooter motor does wear down, especially when frequently pushed to its limits. If you encounter a motor that doesn’t run and a motor that runs but the e-scooter doesn’t move, check out this electric scooter guide on how to fix an electric scooter motor. Ride safely, be guided, be wise.