The new Apollo Go is the first premium entry-level electric scooter to let you use your phone as the primary display with the built-in Quad Lock phone mount.
With their compact size and tiny carbon footprint, electric scooters offer a practical solution for short-distance commutes, errands, and just getting around town. But finding the best premium entry-level electric scooter can be a daunting task, given the number of options on the market.
To help you make an informed decision, we’ll guide you through key features to evaluate, performance factors to consider, the importance of battery life, and user-friendly controls when choosing the perfect electric scooter for your needs.
Evaluating Key Features: What to Look for in a Premium Electric Scooter
When searching for a premium entry-level electric scooter, it's essential to evaluate the key features that contribute to its overall performance and safety.
Inspect the scooter's build quality and material to ensure durability and stability. A well-built electric scooter will withstand the test of time, allowing you to enjoy countless adventures without worrying about wear and tear. Long-term reliability is a key factor to consider when choosing a premium electric scooter.
Premium scooters should be made from premium materials and parts, with tight connections and stem latches that stay firmly closed and don’t introduce play and instability on the road.
Another important feature to evaluate is the braking system. Look for scooters with reliable dual brakes and regenerative braking technology, as they offer superior control and safety. With a responsive braking system, you can confidently navigate busy intersections or unexpected obstacles, knowing that you have the power to stop at a moment's notice.
Comfort is also an important consideration when choosing an electric scooter. After all, you want to enjoy your rides to the fullest. Check for features like adjustable handlebars, suspension systems, and ergonomic design. Solid tires reduce maintenance, but they can also make for a rough ride, so if comfort is a priority, look for tubeless pneumatic tires at the premium entry-level end.
Comparing Performance: Speed, Range, and Power of Entry-Level Electric Scooters
When comparing the performance of electric scooters, some key factors to consider are speed, acceleration, range, and power. While entry-level scooters might not reach high speeds, it's important to find a scooter that offers a comfortable and safe cruising speed, and enough range and power for your needs.
Higher voltage scooters – say, 36V and above – and scooters with larger batteries will excel in these areas compared to scooters with lower voltage systems and smaller batteries, although differences can be somewhat negligible at the entry level.
Top Speed
A scooter that’s too slow can make it difficult to merge with traffic in rare instances where that might be necessary. For years, entry-level electric scooters maxed out at around 15 mph, but recent models have surpassed that limit, with many low-cost budget scooters even reaching speeds of 18-19 mph.
Higher cruising speeds mean faster commutes and more flexibility in where and how you ride your scooter. Although you won’t find performance scooters at an entry-level price, you can find a scooter that lets you ride more aggressively: remember, entry-level doesn’t have to mean slow.
Premium entry level scooters can often reach speeds of 25 mph and beyond, effortlessly merging in and out of low-speed car traffic and keeping up with e-bikes in the bike lane, and this is where you can set your expectations for top speeds at the higher end of the budget category.
Acceleration
While top speed is one thing, the ability to quickly accelerate from a standstill can greatly enhance the overall riding experience, and can even be more important since you need acceleration after each stop. Some budget scooters may not even offer a “zero start” feature, meaning that you have to physically kick the scooter to engage the motor.
A premium entry-level electric scooter should have a zero start option, a smooth throttle with no major “dead spots” in its operation, and acceleration times that are competitive with other scooters in its price class. For comparison, premium entry level scooters typically go from 0-15 mph in around 4-6 seconds.
Range
Range refers to how far an electric scooter can travel on a single charge. Entry-level scooters generally have a range of around 10-15 miles, but some premium models can go up to 25 miles or more. Consider your daily commute or planned usage to determine the range that suits your requirements.
Moreover, the range of an electric scooter can be influenced by various factors such as the rider's weight, terrain, and weather conditions. If you live in an area with frequent hills or strong headwinds, it's advisable to choose a scooter with a slightly higher range than your daily needs to ensure you won't run out of battery power unexpectedly.
Power
The power of an electric scooter is measured in Watts and determines how well it can handle inclines and hills. Look for a scooter with a higher wattage rating if you anticipate traversing hilly terrain. Higher wattage motors generally offer better acceleration and hill-climbing capabilities, making them suitable for riders who require more power.
Scooter motors are given two ratings: continuous (or nominal) power and a peak power rating, which shows how much power the motor can output under higher loads for short periods of time. The peak power rating is a better indicator of hill climbing and acceleration abilities than the nominal power rating.
The Importance of Battery Life: Finding an Electric Scooter with Longevity
Battery life is a crucial aspect of electric scooters. Not only does it determine how far you can travel on a single charge, but it also plays a significant role in the overall longevity of the scooter. When searching for a premium entry-level electric scooter, it's essential to consider the battery's capacity and charging time.
Scooters with larger battery capacities will generally provide a longer range, allowing you to explore more without worrying about running out of power. But it's not just about the capacity; the charging time is equally important. After all, nobody wants to wait around for hours just to get back on the road.
Some premium scooter models boast impressive charging speeds, or come with optional fast chargers, allowing you to fully charge your scooter in as little as 3-4 hours. This means you can quickly top up your battery while enjoying a cup of coffee or taking a short break before continuing your adventure.
When considering battery life, it's also worth asking whether a scooter's battery is removable or built-in. A removable battery offers the convenience of easy replacement when necessary. If you're planning a long journey and need extra power, you can simply carry a spare battery with you and swap them out when needed.
Electric scooter batteries can be made by brand names you recognize, like Samsung or LG, or they can be made in generic factories. Name brand batteries are generally more reliable and longer lasting than generic ones, and typically have better quality control and fewer risks of defects.
User-Friendly Controls: Navigating the Features of Premium Entry-Level Electric Scooters
When it comes to electric scooters, user-friendly controls are not just a luxury, but a necessity for smooth and safe riding. One of the key features to look for in a premium electric scooter is a clear, well-lit display. This ensures that you can easily read important information such as speed, battery life, and distance traveled, even in bright sunlight or dimly lit conditions. No more squinting or straining your eyes to see the display.
The throttle is another crucial element of user-friendly controls. An easy-to-use throttle allows you to smoothly accelerate and decelerate, giving you full control over your speed.
Additional features to look for:
- Turn signals, brake lights, and bright LED headlights and tail lights.
- Smartphone connectivity
- Variable regenerative braking (which allows you to adjust the amount of regen braking power independently)
- Anti-theft features such as remote locking/unlocking
Remember, when evaluating the various control features offered by different electric scooter models, it's important to consider your personal preferences and needs. Think about how you plan to use your scooter and what features are essential for your riding style. By doing so, you'll be able to find the perfect electric scooter that combines quality, performance, and convenience for your everyday transportation needs.
The Best Premium Entry Level Electric Scooters
When it comes to choosing the right premium entry-level electric scooter for you, we can recommend three of Apollo’s scooters to meet the needs of different riders: the single-motor Apollo Air, single-motor Apollo City, and the new, dual-motor Apollo Go. All three of these electric scooters excel when it comes to performance, battery life and quality, and premium features and controls.
Apollo premium entry-level scooters now all feature handlebar-end turn signals, dedicated regenerative braking levers and variable regenerative braking, and connectivity to Apollo’s award-winning app. These models also have top-notch ride quality, with tubeless pneumatic tires, front (Air) and dual (City and Go) suspension, and large, ergonomically-designed decks and handlebars.
And now, with the new Apollo Go, larger riders on a budget or riders who live in hilly areas and who need additional power can get a dual motor scooter with up 1500W of peak power for a price of only $1,299 and a low weight of only 46 lbs. A portable, premium entry-level electric scooter with a top speed of up to 28 mph, the Apollo Go is the best premium, dual motor, entry-level electric scooter on the market.
