If an electric scooter can be used without a battery is an extremely common question. When your battery runs out or fails, can you continue your journey with foot power, or will you be left stranded on the side of the road?
Although most electric scooters can be pushed, the fact is that they can only be comfortably or easily used with battery power.
Some scooter models and designs come with a manual backup, which lets you use foot power if your battery runs out of charge. This type of electric scooter is known as a “Dual” or “Hybrid” scooter.
Read on to learn more about using an electric scooter without a battery and the potential disadvantages of doing so.
Can You Use Electric Scooters Without Batteries?
An electric scooter relies on a battery for power, so if you remove it or it isn’t working, the scooter will not operate normally.
Dual or hybrid scooters are designed to be used like a kick scooter at any time, thus allowing your journey to continue when your battery runs out but requiring significant physical effort.
However, most electric scooters do not have this feature and are only easily used with a battery.
That being said, most electric scooters can be pushed along when their battery is dead or missing, but with severely limited performance.
Without the power of an electric motor, the scooter will not be able to reach the same speeds as it would with a functioning battery.
On level ground you may achieve speeds somewhat faster than walking, however, as soon as you have to go uphill, it won’t be worth the effort. Although of course, if your journey is mostly downhill, the opposite is true.
So if you are concerned about potential vehicular malfunctioning leaving you stranded on the side of the road, invest in a dual electric scooter. Knowing that if your battery fails, you can kick it home or to the nearest mechanic is always helpful.
What Happens If You Use an Electric Scooter Without a Battery?
If you are using an electric scooter without a battery, you’ll find that it is difficult, slow, and tiring. It’ll take a lot longer to get anywhere, and you may even cause damage to your scooter.
This is due to the following factors:
| Size | An electric scooter is designed to be stood on with both feet; therefore, it is normally larger and more unwieldy than its non-electric cousin, the kick-scooter. |
| Weight | It has a battery, motor, and various other parts, making it much heavier than a kick scooter. |
| Rolling Resistance | The fact that the wheels are motor driven means they do not roll freely, so you won’t be able to achieve a sustained high speed. |
| Motor Engaged | Some scooters engage their electric motor when there is no battery power, which makes pushing them difficult or impossible. |
The physical exertion required to overcome these challenges is considerable and you would probably draw the conclusion that riding an electric scooter without a battery is not worth the effort.
Furthermore, you risk damaging the bearings, motor, or other parts if you try to ride your electric scooter with the motor engaged.
Also, if you’re consistently using an electric scooter with its battery disconnected or removed, it’s likely to affect its lifespan. You may have to deal with more frequent repair and maintenance issues.
When your battery remains uncharged, and out of use for long periods, you’ll likely have to replace it more often.
So, consider these potential concerns when considering using electric scooters without batteries.
Five Tips To Make Your Electric Scooter Battery Last Longer
Prevention is better than cure, so let’s look at how to avoid running out of battery in the first place.
There are many ways to make your scooter’s battery last longer. Factors like acceleration, weight, terrain, and illumination all impact the rate at which your scooter drains its charge. Knowing how to extend your scooter’s battery life can be incredibly helpful when stuck in a jam.
1. Weight
The range you can go on a full battery will depend greatly on how much weight you carry. If you’re transporting heavy luggage or bags, it’ll take more effort for your scooter to maintain its speed; hence it’ll use up more charge.
When you’re struggling to make it to your destination or don’t have time to stop and charge your scooter, keep your load as light as possible!
2. Terrain
Terrain dramatically affects how fast your scooter goes and how much charge it uses. Smooth, flat surfaces are generally easier to scoot on than rough or uneven terrain.
That’s because your scooter’s battery depletes faster to compensate for the road friction it faces. Similarly, if you’re riding uphill, you’ll be sure to run out of charge more quickly than if you were going downhill or scooting on flat ground.
Avoid hilly terrain or rough roads when you’re trying to conserve battery power!
3. Speed
Running your electric scooter at top speed all the time will drain the battery faster than when going at a moderate speed. The vehicle’s moderate speeds are usually the most efficient.
When you’re running low on charge, it can be tempting to speed up your scooter in the hopes that you’ll get to your destination faster. But in reality, you’re just draining your battery faster.
4. Acceleration
It is no surprise that your scooter uses up more battery power when accelerating. If your scooter is low on charge, your best bet is to maintain an average speed and avoid sharp acceleration.
5. Use of Lights
Although important in many situations, features like headlights also draw power from the battery. If you’re riding at night, you may have no choice but to use your lights. However, keeping your lights on the lowest setting or turning them off when safe to do so can significantly conserve battery power!
FAQs
Should I Charge My Electric Scooter After Every Ride?
Completely draining your scooter’s battery reduces its lifespan. If you wait for your scooter to die before charging it every time, you’ll need to replace your battery more often. Fully charging your e-Scooter after every ride is the best way to ensure you have enough charge while protecting the battery life.
Why Does My Electric Scooter Run Out Of Battery So Fast?
Several environmental factors can cause your electric scooter to run out of battery faster. These include extreme temperature conditions, rough terrain, upward slopes, and frequent acceleration. Driving at a slow, consistent pace over a smooth surface can help you conserve charge longer.
How Far Can An Electric Scooter Go On One Charge?
An average electric scooter, fully charged, can travel 35 to 40 miles (55 to 65 km). The exact distance will depend on the make and model of your scooter, considering factors like battery type (lithium-ion), engine rating (200-5000W), and aerodynamic levels.
Why Doesn’t My Electric Scooter Turn On?
Your electric scooter may not turn on if it doesn’t have its battery attached, or if the battery is discharged. However there are other circumstances in which your electric scooter may not turn on.
If you encounter this situation, I recommend you read my troubleshooting guide to what to do when your electric scooter doesn’t turn on.
Final Thoughts
You can use an electric scooter without a battery, but it will not offer the same performance. Without a battery, the scooter will rely on leg power to move, which can be tiring. Not to mention impractical if you’re traveling long distances. It’s also slower, with the exact speed depending on various factors, including terrain, weight, and personal fitness.
Overall, using an electric scooter without a battery is generally not recommended, but you can do it in emergency scenarios. As a fail-safe, it can definitely help to have the option to drive manually if your battery fails.
If you own an electric scooter, you’ll need to charge the battery regularly and ensure it has enough power. Most electric scooters have a battery indicator that shows the current charge level. Check this meter before you take your scooter out so you don’t run out of charge.
He made this website to help answer people’s questions about new technologies, green vehicles, and as the title suggests, really anything to do with zero emission vehicles.
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