Have you ever wondered whether it’s best to own or rent an electric scooter? Nowadays, electric scooters are everywhere in our cities. They are popular with city commuters and adventurers. These are great for getting around without dealing with traffic or parking issues.
But, people are always struggling with a common question, should I buy one or just rent when I need it? Now, when considering whether to rent or purchase an e-scooter both options have good and bad points.
In general, owning an electric scooter is beneficial for you if you are a daily commuter as it can save more money annually to charge than to rent. You can use your scooter anytime and customize it to your preferences. But if you don’t want the hassle of charging and maintaining it then renting an electric scooter makes more sense to you.
If you don’t get the answer yet, we’ve got you covered here. In this article, we’ll talk about the pros and cons of buying and renting electric scooters. Should you buy or rent one or what are the things you have to consider when you’re planning to get one for yourself?
Renting vs Owning: Which is More Cost-Effective?
When you have your own electric scooter, it can save you quite a bit of money over time. Maybe you don’t know that, but most of the rental companies usually charge fees, and you only know the total cost after you’ve ridden.
The average cost of renting an e-scooter is 25 cents a minute or 15$ for an hour. According to the National Association of City Transportation officials, the average one-way trip is about 12 minutes or 3 miles, when you travel at 15mph. You’re traveling 3 miles to work each way it’ll cost about $6 per day.
Now, compare the cost of buying your own electric scooter. Let’s understand with an example:
On average, an electric scooter costs around $900, and charging it costs around $1 to $2 per month. So after the first year, you only pay to charge for your e-scooter. But, with a rental electrical scooter, you will have to pay the $1500 still.
So, when considering cost-effectiveness, it’s a much better choice to buy your electric scooter rather than renting one.
Renting vs Owning: Which is More Convenient?
Rental e-scooters are great because you can use them right away. With just a smartphone and an app, you can unlock a scooter, ride it off, and drop it off wherever you finish.
Yet, sometimes you want to grab your scooter and go without searching for the nearest one every time you step outside your home or office.
That’s why having your own e-scooter scooter is super convenient. The reason is that it’s ready whenever you need it. Just imagine, you’re rushing somewhere and you’ll have to search for a rental scooter. That’s a waste of time, isn’t it?
Rental scooters can be hard to find, have limited hours, and might not be there when you need them. It can mess up your plans and budget. But when you own a scooter, it’ll always be available, no matter the time. It gives you the freedom to ride whenever it works for you.
So, if you want a quick ride anytime, buying your own eclectic scooter would be the better choice.
Some of the rental e-scooters might not be in good shape. People sometimes don’t care about them, so they could be damaged or even end up in a serious accident. That’s another reason why having your own e-scooter is better.
Renting vs Owning: Which Has Better Customization?
Renting a scooter is easy. You just pick it up, use it, then drop it off. But there’s a downside: you can’t customize it. Rental scooters are all the same, like generic cereal.
Buying your own scooter is different. You can customize it however you want. Want a cup holder? No problem. Fancy LED lights? Go for it. When it’s yours, you can make it yours.
Adding accessories to your electric scooter is awesome. Anyone can customize their e-scooter to suit specific needs. Need a spot for your stuff? Get a storage bag. Want a phone holder for navigation? Easy peasy. Accessories not only make your scooter more useful but also show off your style.
When you own your scooter, you’re in control. Want to paint it a funky color? Go for it. Feel like adding stickers? It’s your scooter, your choice. There is no limitation when it comes to customization. Having the freedom to personalize your scooter is what makes it so special.
Renting might seem convenient, but owning your scooter is worth it. It’s an investment in fun and individuality. Every upgrade and accessory adds a touch of personality. After all, your scooter should reflect who you are.
So, it’s all about customization. Renting means you’re limited to what you’re given. But when you own your scooter, you have endless possibilities. Don’t settle for boring when you can make it exciting!
Renting vs Owning: Which is More Environmental Friendly
Just like any other big mode of transportation, e-scooters create pollution when they’re made and mode around, whether we own them or rent them. But this pollution is much less than what cars and motorcycles make. Also, when we get rid of scooters, they don’t create as much waste. The reason is they use less stuff, like aluminum frames that can be recycled.
However, owning an electric is usually better for the environment than renting. Rental systems involve a lot of driving around by workers to deliver, pick up, and charge scooters. It kind of cancels out the eco-friendly part of using e-scooters.
Also, rental e-scooters don’t last very long. Why so? Because they get used a lot and sometimes not take care of well. This means they often end up in garbage dumps instead of being recycled. Surprisingly, studies have found that over their lifetime, rental e-scooters can produce as much CO₂ per mile per person as mopeds, electric bikes, or even buses.
On the other hand, if you take good care of your own electric scooter, the pollution from making it gets spread out over a long time and distance.
That’s why owning a scooter is far better for the environment than owning a car, motorcycle, or renting an e-scooter.
Renting vs Owning: Which Demands More Maintenance?
Renting an electric scooter might seem easy, but there’s a downside: maintenance. Rental scooters get used a lot during the day. This means they might not get cleaned or taken care of properly. Your rented scooter could be dirty or even have germs from the last person who used it.
Also, you can’t be sure it’ll have a full battery. Plus, rental scooters might have parts that are old or broken, which could make riding unsafe.
When the scooter is yours, you’re in charge of maintenance. You get to decide how to keep it clean and in good shape. This is important for both staying healthy and riding safely. VoroMotors is here to help with repairs and service if you need it. With ownership, you can relax knowing your scooter is well taken care of and ready for any adventure.
Owning your electric scooter brings peace of mind. You don’t have to stress about cleanliness or maintenance like you would with a rental. You can count on it being in good shape and ready whenever you want to ride.
With ownership, you’re in control and don’t have to worry about others’ habits or poorly maintained rentals. You can confidently cruise around knowing your scooter is well looked after.
Renting vs Owning: Which is More Safe?
Using an e-scooter that’s not made for you can be unsafe. Especially they’re dangerous, if it’s had problems like brake issues in the past. It has led many brands to get banned for these reasons.
When you use a rental scooter you’re not used to can be tricky. Even if everything’s working properly, new riders might get nervous while trying to find the brake, especially if the scooter’s design is different from what they know. This can make it hard to slow down quickly.
So, it’s important to get to know how the e-scooter works before you start riding so you can have a safe trip.
And, when you have your own e-scooter, it’s great because you’re used to how it works. It makes your rides more comfy and safer. Plus, you know it’s well taken care of, with no worries about other people messing with it or breaking anything.
One significant safety worry for rental e-scooters is helmets. Some rental brands don’t give helmets, even though safety is a big deal. When you rent, you should get safety gear, but some companies, do offer helmets. Still, they might not be attached to the scooter, which can cause problems like damage or stealing.
This is why buying one is good because when you buy, you get everything with the scooter.
Should You Buy or Rent An Electric Scooter?
So, deciding whether to buy or rent an electric scooter depends on what you need and how often you’ll use it. If you’ll use it a lot and for a long time, buying is usually cheaper overall. You can also customize and take care of it the way you like.
On the contrary, renting is good for short-term or occasional use. It gives you flexibility without owning it. Think about how much you’ll use it, your budget, maintenance requirements, and what’s easiest for you to make the best choice for your lifestyle and transportation needs.
What We Recommend: When it comes to factors such as sustainability, reducing urban clutter, safety, and reliability, we suggest you buy your own. The reason is having ownership of your own scooter is highly considered to be the best option. So, consider all the important factors, give yourself some time, and make a wise choice.
Conclusion
Now, let’s wrap up this article by saying that deciding whether to buy or rent an e-scooter depends on lots of factors. People should consider things like individual needs and usage patterns before making their decision.
If you’ll use it a lot and like having your personal things, buying would be best. Even though it costs more at first, you should buy it. But if you only need the scooter sometimes or for a short time, renting will be a wise choice. It can be easier and cheaper because you don’t have to worry about fixing it or finding a place to keep it.
After that, think about a few more factors like cost, maintenance responsibility, and availability. Then, weigh the good and bad parts to figure out which is good: buying or renting.
So, whichever way you go, whether to buy or rent, just enjoy the ride and know you’ve picked what’s best for you.