Electric scooters are a rapidly growing segment within the automobile industry across India, thanks to their range of benefits. They boast advantages like cost-effectiveness, convenience and environmental
friendliness, making them lucrative for buyers. The skyrocketing price of petrol and tightening emission norms also push buyers to purchase EVs.
But with advantages come some drawbacks. And the most prominent issue that EV scooter owners face is its deteriorating range. But fret not! By incorporating a few strategies into your care routine, you can significantly improve your electric scooter’s range and enjoy longer rides on a single charge.
Keep OEM-Prescribed Tyre Pressure
Tyre pressure is often overlooked by vehicle owners, especially EV scooter owners. Note that under-inflated tyres have a direct impact on an electric scooter’s range. While a properly inflated tyre makes minimal contact between the tyre and the ground, underinflated tyres cause more tyre surface to touch the ground, which increases rolling resistance. It makes the engine work harder, consuming more energy.
Be Gentle On The Throttle And Brake.
If you want to squeeze some extra kilometres out of the battery, make sure to be as gentle as possible on the accelerator and brakes. These small decisions can add up on a longer commute. Each sharp twist of the throttle shortens the battery’s range by draining it more quickly. So, always ride EV scooters at a steady pace and in power-saving mode to extend the battery charge, resulting in a longer range.
Avoid accelerating hard at every chance and hitting the brakes hard at every speed bump, as both drain valuable battery power.
Turn Off Unnecessary Electronics
Most EV scooters now come with an array of features like Bluetooth, smart navigation, etc. While travelling, turn off these to conserve battery power for better range. If you are riding during daytime, it goes without saying that you need to switch off the LED daytime running lights and headlamps. Bluetooth and reflector lights can also be turned off when not needed.
Be Smart When Selecting The Riding Modes
Electric scooters offer different types of riding modes. Though Eco is rarely exciting, it makes the most sense if you want to stretch your scooter’s range. Sport mode, on the other hand, is fun, but it eats into efficiency. So, use modes intelligently. Eco is for the everyday grind, and Normal or Sport mode is for the time when the road opens up.
Maintain The Battery
Most EV scooters are powered by lithium-ion batteries that have around 300–500 charge cycles or a lifespan of 2-3 years. Ensure that the battery is not fully exhausted, and always keep the charge within 20–80 per cent to help preserve overall capacity. Moreover, make sure that the battery is not exposed to excessive temperatures. Lithium-ion batteries perform best at temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius; higher temperatures reduce battery life, and lower temperatures lead them to store less power.
Keep It Light
Just like engine-powered vehicles, EV scooters too have weight limitations. Be it a heavy backpack, groceries or a frequent pillion, overloading the scooter can significantly impact the range. The only mantra to achieve better range is the lighter the load, the farther the vehicle can travel.
