The fundamentals of an electric kickbike
Electric scooters are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative form of transportation. They are a great way to get around town quickly and easily, without having to worry about traffic or parking. But how do electric scooters work?
Riding an electric scooter can be a great way to get around. It is a convenient, affordable, and eco-friendly form of transportation. Electric scooters are becoming increasingly popular due to their many benefits.
One of the main advantages of riding an electric scooter is that it is much more affordable than other forms of transportation. The cost of purchasing and maintaining an electric scooter is significantly lower than that of a car or motorcycle. Additionally, electric scooters do not require any fuel, so you can save money on gas as well.
Another benefit of riding an electric scooter is that it is much more eco-friendly than other forms of transportation. Electric scooters do not produce any emissions, so they are much better for the environment than cars or motorcycles. This makes them a great choice for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint.
In this guide we will go through the details of how they work, and we will explain it so that everyone can understand it. Some topics we will cover are:
This is by far one of the most comprehensive guides on how an electric kickbike actually works, with parts explained, as well as how the parts interact with eachother.
Table of contents
Main parts of an electric scooter
The main parts of an electric kickbike are explained below in the sub-sections. However, here is an overview picture we tried to create to illustrate the parts.
Battery
Electric scooters (kickbikes) need energy to propel itself. The energy in this case is electrical, gained from a battery which is its energy source.
The battery is the heart of the electric scooter, you could say. There are different types of batteries. Some of you have probably heard of Li-ion batteries, or Lead-acid batteries. These are explained further below.
The battery is located inside the deck of the e-scooter.
The battery is as we have covered above, the heart of the kickbike. It is the energy source of which all power is coming from. It has to be charged in order for the electric scooter to work. It is located in the deck.
Lead-acid batteries are the most common type of battery used in electric scooters. They are relatively inexpensive and have a long life span, but they are also heavy and require regular maintenance.
Lithium-ion batteries are lighter and more efficient than lead-acid batteries, but they are also more expensive. Nickel-metal hydride batteries are similar to lithium-ion batteries in terms of efficiency and cost, but they are not as lightweight.
Electric motor
The electric motor(s) are usually one or two on these scooters. They are always located on the wheels in order to have a drive-axle directly mounted on the wheel. This reduces parts and increases efficiency. The electric motor takes energy from the energy source (battery) and converts it into mechanical power by turning of a motor.
The electric motor can also charge the battery. Think of it as reverse-energy. This is only available on the electric kickbikes which have this feature implemented, such as regenerative braking. The way it works is that the motor itself uses kinetic energy from the wheels in order to act as a generator, and charge the battery. This improves charge time, battery life, and more.
The most common type of motor used in electric scooters is the brushless DC motor. This type of motor is lightweight, efficient, and reliable, making it an ideal choice for electric scooters. Brushless DC motors are also relatively quiet and require minimal maintenance. However, they tend to be more expensive than other types of motors.
Another type of motor used in electric scooters is the hub motor. Hub motors are integrated into the wheel of the scooter, making them compact and easy to install. They are also relatively inexpensive and require minimal maintenance. However, hub motors tend to be less powerful than other types of motors, so they may not be suitable for heavier riders or those who need to travel long distances.
Finally, there are geared motors, which are typically found in higher-end electric scooters. Geared motors offer more power and torque than other types of motors, making them ideal for heavier riders or those who need to travel long distances. However, geared motors tend to be more expensive and require more maintenance than other types of motors.
Brakes
The brakes are by far the most important feature of the electric scooter. We cover all about brakes in our buying guide, in the section about brakes. There are different kind of brakes available. Disc-brakes very common and are the recommended brake type, since they are the most efficient ones both in terms of costs but also safety.
Brakes can be equipped on front or rear or both wheels, and are controlled by levers usually, just like a bicycle. Some electric kickbikes have foot-brakes as you probably have noticed, they are not good and we do not recommend them.
Lights – How do lights work for electric scooters?
The lights are the second most important safety feature on the electric scooters. They illuminate the way, and also indicate to others what is going on and make you visible.
Good lights is a must, as you can read about in our buying guide.
There are forward lights and rear lights available on most (if not all) electric scooters. Some electric scooters also have side-indicator lights, also called turn-indicator lights. They indicate a left or right turn, just like a car. This is something we recommend here, in order to keep you hands on the steering at all times (instead of using hand-gesture to show that you are going to make a turn. Riding with one hand is dangerous.)
Deck of an electric scooter
The deck is where you stand. The deck is important, especially if you have large feet, weigh more than average or want more comfort. Some people ride electric scooters with their feet standing sideways, and some with their feet parallell to each other (which we dont recommend).
The deck is not standardized in any way, and different models come with different sizes.
Worth to mention is that the deck usually holds the battery inside it. It is quite well protected against damage and bumps due to that fact.
Display
Most electric scooters have some sort of display in order to indicate status, information and other messages to the users. The most common information found on the displays are battery-charge left, speed, faults, light statuses, and such.
Some more advanced models have all kinds of information available on the displays, connected to their phones by Bluetooth and other means.
Power-gauge, also called Speed controller
The speed-controller of the electric kickbike is used to choose how much power is going to the wheels in order to gain speed. It is like a throttle. It is located on the steering frame next to the brake levers.
It is usually like a dead-mans-switch, which means that you have to keep the controller pressed in order to have speed, and if you let go, the electric scooter will stop gradually.
Frame
The frame is the part which holds up everything. It is just like the frame of a bicycle. It consist of material such as aluminium, metal, steel, titanium, or carbon fiber in some special cases.
The frame is important in terms of weight. Some frames weigh a lot, while others very little. You dont want a brittle frame while you also dont want a solid and too heavy frame. Something inbetween is the best bet according to us and most experts.
Most of the parts of the electric scooter are attached somehow to the frame itself.
The frame can in 99% of cases be folded, so the electric kickbike takes much less space.
Suspension on electric scooters
The suspension is not equipped on all electric kickbikes. This is something customers usually have to pay extra for. However, most models do have them and they are nothing more than comfort and ride-quality improvers.
They absorb shocks from terrain which has rocks, cracks in the pavement, crossing different types of terrains, going from a sidewalk to the street, etc.
They consist of two main parts, the spring and the shock-absorber.
The spring acts as an evener, which evens the bump out, while the absorber absorbs the shock and pushes the spring to extended position thanks to its hydraulics.
Note that there are different kinds of suspension systems, some without the above parts. We deep dive into this in the buying guide as well.
Seat for electric scooter
Some electric scooters (kickbikes) have seats. They are quite rare still, but they do exist. Some come retrofitted and some come factory-fitted. The seats provide just as the name says, a seating for you to comfortably sit down during rides. This is not something we recommend since it can be safety relevant in some situations. You dont want to be sitting down if you get hit by a car, you would actually want to be standing up so you can react quicker and maybe jump away on your feet.
Software for electric scooters – How do they work?
The software is a part which is usually left out, but we like to include it since it is a vital part which makes everything work.
The software is what controls everything in the scooter, making up how things work and how they should not work.
Software is located in an ECU which is usually close to the battery. The ECU is powered by the battery just like everything else.
The software can be updated and changed just like any computer software. Actually, this is the part people change in order to modify speed limits in place from factory.
The software controls lights, buttons, power, energy, regeneration, braking, displays, and more.
Inside the frame there are several cables and wires which connect all parts, just like any other equipment working electronically.
Charger
The charger works just like a laptop charger. You plug it in to an electrical outlet, and the other end is attached to the switch on the battery of the electric scooter. Some electric scooters have detachable batteries, although it is rare, and can be brought to a separate place for charging them.
Usually it is a USB port or similar which connects to the battery.
We have high-power chargers and nominal power chargers. High-power usually gives out more amps than regular ones, but charge the battery much faster.
Pro-tip: If you have the possibility to charge at work, use it to save money!
Locks
Locks is another important thing to consider for e-scooters. They keep your product secure. It is part of security, and theft protection. A good lock is recommended by us, and U-Lock (also called D-Lock) is the one we recommend.
There are many types of locks available, just as there are with bicycles. We have a section for locks in our buying guide, but also a separate guide for just locks if you like to read more.
Accessories Available for Electric Scooters
Then we come to the last parts, the accessories. These are not actually a part which makes the scooter work, but we included it anyways since it is so relevant.
There are a ton of accessories for electric scooters out there. Some are more important than others of course.
Helmets
Helmets are essential for any rider, regardless of age or experience level. They provide protection from head injuries in the event of an accident. Look for helmets that are certified by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and have a snug fit.
Baskets
Baskets are great for carrying groceries, books, or other items while riding. Look for baskets that are easy to attach and detach from the scooter and have enough space to carry your items.
Phone Mounts
Phone mounts allow you to keep your phone within reach while riding. Look for mounts that are secure and adjustable so you can easily access your phone while riding.
Fenders
Fenders help protect you from mud, dirt, and water while riding. Look for fenders that are durable and easy to install on your scooter.
These are just a few of the many accessories available for electric scooters. With the right accessories, you can make your electric scooter even more enjoyable and practical.