What is an electric scooter? How does an electric scooter work? – Find out everything you need to know about electric scooters.
Some think electric scooters can be classified as a skateboard. An electric scooter is far different from a skateboard. It is gradually becoming a mode of transport for many people. Although many people ride an electric scooter, only a handful understand the principle behind the technology of the electric scooter. Sit back, relax and find out how this blog explains; What is an electric scooter? How does an electric scooter work? Read on the hoverboard attachment seats.
What is an electric scooter?
An electric scooter is a type of scooter powered by a Lithium-ion battery through a small electric motor and designed to be ridden while standing. It is made of two handlebars which the rider uses to navigate. The handlebars are linked to the front wheels via the stem. The scooter has, not more than three wheels, though it mostly has two which allows easy movement of the electric scooter. Even though it is designed to be ridden whiles standing, a few have detachable seats.
Who invented an electric scooter? When was it invented?
Scooters have gone through a great evolution. Before the electric scooters, other scooters were manually powered, and others were gasoline-powered. One of the earliest scooters to be made in large quantities was the Autoped. It was launched in 1916.
However, the first model of an electric scooter (read the evolution of scooters) was made available for purchase by the public and was produced by Peugeot. It was produced in 1996. The motor which was used in this model of the electric scooter was a three-horsepower DC motor and could travel for 40km per single charge. The battery used to power the electric scooter was the Nickel-cadmium battery which was 18 volts at 100 amperes. It was more of a mini motorbike. Read on the hoverboard attachment seat.
GoPed then manufactured the first modern model of electric scooter in 2001. This could be ridden whiles standing.
How does an electric scooter work?
I made mention of the electric scooter being powered by a battery through a small electric motor. But these two are not the only components of the electric scooter that allows it to work. Let us take a look at how the various components of an electric scooter allow it to work effectively.
How does an electric scooter work? – Components of an electric scooter
- Battery
Most batteries of the electric scooter are Lithium-ion batteries. The battery capacity of an electric scooter ranges from 150Wh to 750Wh on average with a few, especially the expensive ones having more battery capacity.
The battery consists of a cathode, electrolyte, anode, positive collector, and negative collector. The electrolyte is mostly lithium hexafluorophosphate, which conveys positively lithium ions through the separator from the anode to the cathode and in opposite directions. This type of motion results in free electrons in the anode and develops a charge at the positive current collector. This leads to a flow of electrical current, from the positive current collector through the controller to the electric motor, then to the negative current collector. This is how an electric scooter is powered.
- Motor
This motor is powered by the battery through the wires. When the throttle is depressed, it transmits a signal to the battery to power the motor. This results in the movement of the wheels. The modern electric scooter makes use of brushless DC motors.
- Controller
This is one of the most vital parts of an electric scooter. It is an electronic device that controls the movement of current from the to the electric motor. It also controls the speed of the electric scooter when the accelerator is depressed. It also sends signals to the brake system when the brake lever is squeezed. It is simply the processing unit of the electric scooter. A faulty controller makes the electric scooter unsafe to use.
- Power Button
As we all know, the power button is used to turn the electric scooter on and off. The electric scooter is turned on by pressing the power button once. This is indicated with a beep. It is turned off by pressing and holding the power button.
This is not the only thing the power button does. This same power button can turn on the headlight by pressing it once after it is turned on. To turn the headlights off, press the power button again.
The power button can also limit the speed of the electric scooter by activating the ECO mode. This is achieved by pressing the power button twice in quick succession. The ECO mode is deactivated the same way it was activated.
- Handlebars
It is what is held by the rider of the electric scooter to navigate his/her way through the community. It can be adjusted to suit the height of the rider The handlebar houses the power button, throttle, settings display, and bell.
- Stem
It is the lever that links the handlebars to the front wheel. It allows the folding of the electric scooter which makes it very easy to carry.
- Throttle
When the throttle is pressed down, it sends signals to the battery to power the motor to help propel the wheels of the electric scooter.
- Brake lever and brake system
It is used to reduce the speed of the electric scooter and eventually stop it. The taillights are turned on when the brake levers are squeezed. There are two types of brakes in an electric scooter: electric and mechanical.
Mechanical brakes are the use of manpower to squeeze the levers to decrease the speed of the scooter. It is made of the foot, disc, and drum brakes.
The electronic braking system depends on the motor for braking.
The former is the best amongst the two braking systems
- Deck
This is the platform where the rider stands to enable him to hold the handlebars.
- Wheels(tires)
It enables the movement of the electric scooter. It can be pneumatic(air-filled) tires or solid(airless) tires. The former is very safe to use as it provides a lot of friction against the road surface. Although most have two wheels, few electric scooters have been designed to handle three wheels.
- Suspension
Only a few electric scooters have suspensions. Suspensions allow you to enjoy the ride on a bumpy road by absorbing shocks and preventing the vibration of the scooter.
- Lights
Headlights are very important for visibility when traveling at night and in a foggy environment. Most electric scooters now have light-emitting diodes that will allow other users of the road to identify them.
- Bell
It is used to draw the attention of another road user be it a pedestrian or a driver.
- Kickstand
It is used to balance the electric scooter when it is not in use.
Conclusion
Many people now ride(how to ride an electric scooter) electric scooters. They can travel short distances with no or fewer obstacles because they can meander their way through traffics. Riding an electric scooter does not make you lazy because you stand during the trip which makes you active and alert. This is very good for your health as one of the main ways of preventing non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular diseases is through physical activity.
Knowing the principle of what an electric scooter is and how it works helps you to appreciate this type of technology.