Electric scooters are expanding their foot in the world market. They’re easy to use and good for the environment too. Especially, no other mode of transportation can beat these when it comes to using it for short trips and fun rides.
However, people often wonder if these e-scooters can go uphill smoothly or not.
Yes, a single-motor electric scooter with 1000W or above is capable of going uphill. But they lose speed as the steeper hills it gets require more power to maintain the same speed. Single-motor electric scooters that have lower than 1000W struggle to climb due to less torque and less power.
This guide is all about how well electric scooters handle uphill slopes, what affects their performance, and things to keep in mind. Later on, you’ll learn some tips also to make riding uphill easier.
What Are the Mechanics of Electric Scooters?
It’s actually pretty simple when you look at what it’s made of. An electric scooter usually has a battery, motor, throttle, and controller. But, the most important parts are the battery and motor. Both of them are the heart and soul of e-scooters.
When you turn the throttle on the handlebars, it tells the battery to send electricity to the motor. The motor is often present on the wheels of the scooter. It uses this electricity to turn the gears and make the scooter go forward. It’s quite simple, isn’t it?
Like regular scooters, some electric scooters also need a bit of push to start before you turn the throttle on to use the motor. In an e-scooter, you steer with t-shaped handlebars and stop with brakes. How fast you go depends on how much you twist the throttle. So, twist it gently and don’t go too fast.
Note: It should be noted that this is just a basic explanation of how electric scooters work. We have a lot of different models in the market and they can work a little differently, depending on the models. So, if you’ve got a brand-new e-scooter, read the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Factors Influencing Electric Scooter Uphill Performance
Before you head uphill on your electric scooter, there are a few factors you should think about. They can influence the performance of your e-scooter uphill. Here are some of them:
Steepness of the Hill
Electric scooters can handle slopes of about 10°-15° without any issues. The stronger scooters can even manage slopes up to 20° easily. However, if the slope is steeper than that, they might find it challenging to roll there.
You can think of it in this way, cars or motorcycles aren’t designed to climb mountains or super steep hills, right? Well, electric scooters are similar. They’re not made for handling very steep roads. However, some models are still exceptions. So, before you go up a steep hill, you should check if it’s too steep for your e-scooter. If it is, don’t ride there.
Lots of e-scooter makers include details about how well their scooters handle hills in the user manual. It’s really important to check your manual to know exactly what your scooter can do.
Suspension of the E-Scooter
The suspension system of your electric scooter also affects how balanced it stays on slopes. When you’re going uphill, your weight mostly shifts to the back wheel. If the suspension is not good enough, this weight can press too much on the wheel. Eventually, it causes you problems and maybe wears things out faster.
A better suspension spreads your weight evenly. It makes your ride smoother, especially uphill. That’s why, riders should check out the suspension system of the e-scooters when purchasing.
Tire Type
Having the right tires is key for hill riding. Wider or off-road tires are great because they give better grip and traction. This means they hold onto the ground better, even on rough surfaces. When they have good traction, your e-scooter stays steady and climbs hills more easily. It keeps you in control and balanced. Right tires also avoid slipping and make the ride smoother overall.
If you’re looking to go uphill smoothly, your e-scooter should have tires that are at least 8.5 inches in size. This helps them distribute the weight evenly on the deck and keeps the scooter balanced. Please keep in mind that the bigger tires also reduce strain on the motor.
Speed Limitations
Nowadays, a lot of electric scooters come with speed limiters that control how fast they can go. These limiters can make it tough for the scooter to climb hills smoothly. The reason is that they can’t reach their full-speed potential. So, when going uphill, they might struggle more.
As a rider, when you take out or change these limiters, your e-scooter can go as fast as it’s designed to. This makes it easier for the scooter to handle uphill climbs because it can use its full power. It’s literally like unlocking its strength. It makes going uphill a lot easier. If hills are tough for you, you can think about adjusting or removing those speed limits for a better uphill ride.
Motor Power and Torque
We can say that the motor is an electric scooter’s powerhouse. How strong the motor is really matters, especially when you’re going up hills. A powerful motor with high torque can handle steep hills much better.
Power is measured in Watts (W), and Torque is measured in Newton meters (Nm). The latter one is like a twisting force that makes the wheels turn. The power your scooter has depends on the voltage and current going to the motor. More power means more torque, which means the scooter can handle its wheels better. This helps it push you uphill.
So, when you’re choosing an e-scooter for uphill trips, go for one with a strong motor. The reason is that they give you the power and strength to tackle hills without any trouble.
Battery Power
One more factor that influences the performance of e-scooters uphill is their battery. The size of your scooter’s battery matters for climbing hills. A bigger battery can store more energy. This extra energy helps the motor stay strong when you’re going uphill.
So, when buying an electric scooter, you should check the battery quality. Try getting one with a good battery that can handle hills without running out fast. It’s like having a bigger fuel tank in a car, more energy means smoother uphill rides. That’s why I choose scooters with batteries that hold plenty of power for a better uphill journey.
5 Tips to Ride Electric Scooter On an Uphill
Now that we’ve understood what factors can influence the smoothness of an e-scooter on uphill, let us give you some tips:
Ride With Full Battery Charge
First of all, you have to make sure your e-scooter is fully charged before going uphill. It’s very important for a better rider, otherwise, you might end up running out of battery in any place. Uphill rides need more power as the scooter fights against gravity. It can drain the battery faster. This is why starting with a full battery makes your scooter work better uphill. It handles slopes more easily.
Also, think about getting an e-scooter with a swappable battery system, like the Mearth S Series. It’s super convenient because you can switch out empty batteries for full ones easily. This way, you can keep riding without interruptions, even on tough roads.
So, focus on a full battery charge and check out an e-scooter with those batteries for a smoother, stress-free uphill ride.
Ride With Proper Standing Posture
When you’re going uphill on your electric scooter, how you stand is really important. Your posture should be correct while riding. For that, what you need to do is just stand right to stay steady and balanced. It keeps you safe while you climb on the uphill. Make sure your both feet are solid on the e-scooter and your balance is in the middle to avoid tipping over. This will help you prevent accidents and keep your ride smooth.
Also, lean forward when you go uphill. It helps shift your weight to the front, which reduces the strain on the motor and ultimately the e-scooter. Bending your knees a bit more also makes it easier for the scooter to move forward easily. These postures not only make riding safer but also improve the scooter’s performance. Collectively, it gives you a comfortable and efficient uphill journey.
Accelerate While Climbing Uphill
When you’re up a steep hill on your electric scooter, try to go at a good pace that’s safe. The right speed will help the scooter pull you uphill without putting too much strain on its motor and tires. But be careful and don’t speed up too much if there are people or cars around. You have to pay attention to your surroundings also and avoid going too fast in those situations.
Speeding up when going uphill is essential for getting the most out of your electric scooter. While riding, you have to make sure your e-scooter is in normal or sports mode. Remember to only speed up when you’re slowing down on the hill, so you can climb safely and smoothly.
Building Momentum
Before you start going up a hill, try to get some speed first. This helps your e-scooter handle the hill better and makes going up easier. This is really helpful for steep hills or long climbs. Speeding up before you start climbing would be a better way. The reason is that it will give your e-scooter a boost. Doing this not only makes climbing faster and easier but also requires you to stay alert to avoid accidents.
This makes your climb smoother and safer. But remember to stay aware of what’s around you. When you use momentum-building tricks for going uphill, it helps your e-scooter handle tough terrain better. All in all, it keeps you safe and in full-control.
Minimize Load
For your e-scooter to handle uphill rides well, it’s important not to overload it. It can make you unbalanced and won’t give you ease at riding uphill. This is why, you should stick to the maximum weight it can carry. If it’s too heavy, the e-scooter will struggle to push you uphill. All in all, keep things light and wear light clothes to make it easier for your e-scooter.
When you put heavy items or go over the weight limit, it can strain the scooter’s motor and minimize its performance. This strain makes it hard for the scooter to go uphill smoothly. In short, keeping the load light helps the e-scooter perform well and tackle hills easily.
How Can I Ride an Electric Scooter On An Uphill?
First of all, before you go up hills, you just need to make sure your e-scooter battery is fully charged. You won’t run out of power in the middle of the road if you ensure this first. When you’re going up the hill, just hold onto the handlebars tight (not too much) to stay balanced and in control.
Note: When you’re going uphill, your scooter needs more power than on flat ground. So, when you see a hill coming, the first thing you should do is push the throttle a bit harder. It will allow you to go faster. But be careful not to go too fast to avoid accidents.
Don’t forget to lean forward a bit and bend your knees while riding uphill. This helps reduce pressure on the scooter and makes it easier to go on that terrain. If the hill is really steep, go a bit faster but remember to watch your speed and stay safe.
Conclusion
That’s it, electric scooters are good at going uphills. They have this ability because they’re designed to handle gravity, can deal with friction, and have different rider weights. So, if you’re in a place with hills, don’t worry. Your e-scooter is made to handle them well.
Even in many cities throughout the world, especially those famous for its steep streets, electric scooters run on the slopes just fine.
But, it’s important to have a powerful scooter, keep the battery healthy, balance your weight, choose good routes, and use speed smartly not unnecessarily. With all these under consideration, you’ll be able to cruise down on uphill roads smoothly.
As a rider, if you know about these things and use the tips we’ve mentioned above for riding uphill, you can make your scooter work better on hills. Also, you’ll have a better time on your e-scooter. So, enjoy it and be safe.