Choosing the Right Electric Scooter!

There are many important things to consider when purchasing an ebike like motor size in watts, battery type and size, controller amp size, are the lights and dash components 12v, and is the ebike comfortable and easy to handle. Before I take you for a test ride on the (2) ebikes of my choice I will break down some of the things I was looking for in a great ebike.

Brushless DC Motor: The maximum legal motor size for an ebike is 500watts under the pedal assist requirements. The brushless DC motor on ebikes are built in the hub of the entire rear wheel and are rated by size of watts. Being built in the hub and direct drive there is only a chain and sprocket needed for manual pedal assist. The motors are also rated “peak” or “continuos”.

An ebike with a “500watt peak” value will usually run at 350watts but peak to 500watts during an incline or extra load is detected by controller. The actual maximum size of this motor is 500watts. (Don’t be fooled by manufacturers that market some ebikes as “500watt+”. These 500watt+ motors are only still a 500watt motor but controller runs them at 500watt continous giving you a little more torque but the same incline performance.)

An ebike with a “500watt continuos” value will run 500watt continuos through-out the ride but will increase watts during an incline. Most continuos motors will reach 750watt-800watt during incline. 500watt continuos motors are usually 750watts to 800watts in size but are limited to 500watts by controller unless an incline or extra load is detected. This is a huge advantage and performance is noticably different when hill climbs are nessessary.

Battery type and size: Battery type Lead Acid compared Lithium, battery voltage and ampage is an important factor to power and overall range.

Lead Acid: Most ebikes are powered by lead acid deep cycle battery packs. Lead acid batteries have a life expancancy of 3-5 years or 300 full charges. They are relalativly cheap to replace and fairly safe to maintian. Lead acid powered ebikes will noticeably loose power during use throught-out the ride until automatic cut off monitored by controller.

Lithium: Lithium powered ebikes have an advantage but are pricey. Lithium batteries are lighter then lead acid improving performance and also have a longer life expancancy. Lithium powered ebikes have full power through-out the entire ride during use and there is no loss of torque no matter if you just started hot off the charger or 2 hours in your ride. These are same facts compared to buying a Ni-Cad Drill for $89.00 or Lithium powered drill for $229.00. Lithium batteries are lighter, carry more power and last longer but are expensive.

Amps: Amps are important factor to your overall range. The higher the amps the longer the range. Most ebikes found out there are made up from 12v 12ah or 12v 14ah battery packs which will do the trick but range is limited and stress to batteries is constent. You will find high end ebikes are powered by 12v 20ah battery packs and will give you ranges from 55km to 120km. The disadvantage is the higher the amps the bigger the battery and more weight.

You will find most ebikes are 48volts but 60volt ebikes are available with some manufacturers. 48volt battery packs are made up fom (4) individual 12volt batteries connected in series to add to 48v. 60volt battery packs are made up from (5) individual 12volt batteries to add to 60volts.