Transportation has had a drastic facelift over the decades, providing cheaper, more efficient, and more eco-friendly alternatives. In this article, we explore how this fascinating mode of transport came to be and how beneficial it might be to your everyday life.
What Is an Electric Scooter?
What is an electric scooter? It goes by different names and forms, depending on the manufacturer and the country you’re in. However, the general definition describes it as a two-wheeled vehicle with an enclosed engine. It comes with a floorboard for the feet of the operator, and while many come with handles, not all do. When the e-scooter came out, it was simply for the purpose of covering short distances. Now, the scooter has interesting features like Bluetooth and digitized screens, with comfort being a priority for many manufacturers.
When Did Electric Scooters Come Out?
Now that you learned what electric scooters are, let’s dive into the main topic and discuss when did electric scooters come out.
A Brief History
The history of the battery-powered scooter is one without an exact date or source, as there have been many developments over time. While some like to place the earliest invention of the automated scooter in the late 19th century, others believe its humble beginnings may date as far back as the 1700s.
When the e-scooter came out, it was far from elegant, but it afforded the citizens of New York City a quick and easy way to get around, particularly for delivery men and postal servicemen. Invented by Arthur Hugo Cecil Gibson, an American inventor, his creation began as a fuel-driven device, powered by gasoline, and it was patented in 1916.
Types of Scooters
When the e-scooter came out, there was not much choice. Now, thanks to modern advancements, there are various options. Read along as we delve into the world of e-scooters and how technology and engineering have provided us with mopeds, vespas, and self-balancing personal transporters.
Kick E-scooter
When the e-scooter came out, it was the simple kick scooter many of us are familiar with. The modern e-scooter is not so different. It has the appearance of a regular scooter, with a deck for feet and handles attached to a long axle that comes up to the waist. The difference is that the average scooter relies more on human power to operate. The electric kick scooter has an in-built battery, thicker tires for traction, and a more controlled handlebar to provide more stability when moving around.
Benefits
One of the cheapest scooter options
Easy to control
Doesn’t require licensing
Quiet but quick
Self-Balancing Personal Transporters
Hoverboards and self-balancing personal transporters have exploded in sales in the past few years. Hoverboards, particularly in the youthful demographic, have become a trendy way to play as they imitate the skateboard. While they don’t provide much practical use, they are fun ways of moving around, practicing balance, and performing tricks.
For tourists, self-balancing personal scooters (you may know one popular brand called Segway) are light, easy-to-control alternatives to bikes that get them to and from sites at an affordable price. You’ll recognize them by their diagonal foot deck, with the wheels placed on either side of it.
Benefits
Many have built-in speakers for music
Perfect for practicing balance
Easy for skateboarders to adapt to
Moped
A moped is a kind of motorized scooter that falls between a bicycle and a motorcycle. It comes with a padded seat and a footrest to provide a comfortable trip. Vespa may come to mind. It is named after its manufacturer, actually an Italian brand, and is a luxury scooter made from premium parts and padded with high-quality leather. Vespas are a common sight in the city of Rome, but they are also popular all across Europe as a comfortable means of covering short distances.
Benefits
Elderly-friendly
Allows for longer trips
Provides more stability than self-balancing personal scooters
6 Reasons Why an Electric Scooter May Be Right for You
Here are some of the best reasons why an electric scooter may be right for you:
1. Cost Effective
The two-wheeled vehicle has cost benefits. When the e-scooter came out, it was relatively affordable for the working class. And not much has changed in that regard, thanks to mass production. In comparison, a larger vehicle like a car would cost significantly more money. And it’s not just the buying price we’re looking at.
The cost of maintenance and general upkeep beats that of a large vehicle by miles, as the scooter is smaller and less complicated. Of course, this depends on the brand as well as the design and special features, but a regular e-scooter can save you a lot of money in fuel costs and maintenance fees.
2. Easy to Maneuver
Operating this small electric vehicle is a swift learning process, particularly the moped and the kick scooter. They are less complicated, which makes them a popular option for schoolchildren. Though some states have strict traffic regulations, kick-scooters and mopeds are deemed safer options for children to commute.
3. Eco-Friendly Options
Another benefit of the electric scooter is that, along with its financial perks, it is also one of the greenest options for transport. Careful engineering means that the scooter is not reliant on fossil by-products like gas, meaning that there is no carbon monoxide pollution. While electric cars are on the rise, scooters provide a more affordable and cleaner substitute for motorized vehicles.
Even if you opt for a moped, the scooter has much lower fuel consumption than most small four-wheeled vehicles.
4. Portable Options
When the e-scooter came out, it didn’t have the extra advantage of being foldable that it does now. Manufacturers opting for optimal functionality created scooters that can be easily moved from place to place without too much hassle. The kick e-scooter and the hoverboard are travel-friendly, with the former being foldable. Thanks to their makeup, many of them weigh less than 50 lbs. and take up less than a meter square of space.
5. Traffic-Friendly
When the electric scooter came out, it provided an easy means of commuting for servicemen. For city dwellers, the Kick e-scooter is the perfect solution to those morning jams and evening rush hour. Instead of joining the tedious traffic crunches, you can evade cars with an electric scooter. Scooters can be maneuvered around larger vehicles to get you to your destination quicker and safer.
6. Less Noise Pollution
Unlike motor vehicles that produce large volumes of sound, the electric scooter is almost silent. It is a quiet device thanks to its electrical system, making your trip more pleasant!
Yes, Vespa is an Italian brand that manufactures electric scooters. It is considered a luxury brand as it uses premium materials to manufacture the scooter. Manufactured by Piaggio, the iconic luxury vehicle has amassed popularity all over Europe for its chic design and comfort.
The charge on an e-scooter differs greatly depending on the variety, usage, and size. The size, for obvious reasons, determines the battery’s capacity and performance. Typically, an e-scooter can go for about 30 miles on a single charge. There are some that can go for 50 miles as well. Battery durability, however, also depends on how well-kept the vehicle is. Taking care of your vehicle helps it function efficiently for longer; therefore, scheduling maintenance checks and keeping the scooter in good shape can slow the battery’s depletion.
Yes, a license is needed to operate a moped on public roads in most states in the USA. However, it is important to look into state laws, as traffic regulations differ across the country. For instance, in California, you can drive your moped with either M1 or M2 licensing (mopeds fall under motorcycle regulations when it comes to driving permits). But in Colorado, a license is not required, but your moped needs to be registered.
Conclusion
The e-scooter is certainly one of the best markers of development in transportation. Though the history of this increasingly popular mode of transport has various bits and pieces, its future looks bright with millions of people investing, and for good reasons too. The scooter is not only an affordable means of getting around; it is also eco-friendly, relatively noiseless, and portable. The e-scooter is simple, and many versions are child-friendly. In this article, we have explored when the e-scooter came out, and we hope, having touched on some of its benefits, it is the right solution for you.
Hi! My name is Johnathan, and I am the creator of ScooterAdvice360.com. Having been riding motor scooters and bikes for over 20 years, I have picked up a few things! I ran my own scooter store in Florida, selling all manner of motor scooters, mobility scooters, hoverboards, e-scooters and accessories, from Forzas to Vipers, Hellcats to Vespas.
Here, at ScooterAdvice360.com, I want to ensure everyone has access to the information that they need to enjoy their bikes and scooters for longer.
