Is an E-Scooter Worth It? Advantages and Honest Limitations

An e-scooter sounds like freedom on your commute, but it does not suit every lifestyle. Here, you get both sides presented honestly so you know whether buying one is really worthwhile for you.

Contents

• Who is an e-scooter really worthwhile for?
• What are the real advantages?
• What disadvantages do most people keep quiet about?
• How does the e-scooter compare with a car and public transport?
• What does it cost to run an e-scooter?
• What legal requirements must you observe in Switzerland?
• Is it worth it for you now or not?
• Frequently asked questions

Who is an e-scooter really worthwhile for?

An e-scooter is worthwhile if your everyday life consists of short, recurring journeys in the city. If you travel two to eight kilometres to work, the train station or training every day and currently use a car, bus or your own legs to get there, the scooter is often the faster and more relaxed option.

It is less useful if your typical journeys are long, you often carry a lot of luggage or need to arrive on time and dry in all weather. In that case, you are working against the device's weaknesses instead of with its strengths.

These groups benefit the most:

• City commuters: You combine the scooter with a tram or train and avoid the annoying last mile.
• Frequent short-distance riders: You run errands, attend appointments and visit people within a radius of a few kilometres.
• Second-car users: You want to leave the car parked for short trips while remaining flexible.

And honestly: If you live in the countryside, travel long distances or have to chauffeur small children around, you're usually better served by a bike, e-bike or car.

What are the real advantages?

The biggest advantages are low costs per kilometre, speed in city traffic and no searching for a parking space. These are not advertising claims, but direct consequences of how an e-scooter works.

In detail:

• You save on running costs. Charging the battery costs just a few cents in electricity. There is no fuel, no oil changes and no expensive garage visits like with a car.
• You don't get stuck in traffic. In dense city traffic, you pass waiting queues of cars and don't have to hope for the next bus.
• You can park anywhere. The scooter fits in a bike rack, in the lift and under your desk. No parking fees.
• You ride quietly and produce no local emissions. No exhaust, barely any noise. That is good for the air in the city and pleasant for everyone around you.
• You are ready to go quickly. Step on, ride off, done. No warm-up, no refuelling, no searching for a charging station for everyday use.

When it comes to speed, the honest assessment is this: Legal models travel at up to 20 km/h by design. That is about as fast as a leisurely pedalled bicycle, so clearly faster than walking, but not a racing vehicle. That is precisely what makes it practical for everyday use in the city.

What disadvantages do most people keep quiet about?

The honest drawbacks are dependence on the weather, limited range, risk of theft and a lack of comfort on long journeys. If you know this beforehand, you will not be disappointed after buying one.

You should realistically plan for this:

• Weather is no fun. In rain, snow or ice, the scooter becomes uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous. In winter, it often sits unused for weeks.
• The range is limited. Depending on the model, you get a few dozen kilometres per charge, and cold temperatures, inclines and riding style noticeably reduce this figure. Long trips are not what it is designed for.
• Theft is an issue. A scooter is light and can quickly be carried away. Without a good lock and a secure place to park it, you are taking a risk.
• Comfort has its limits. Small wheels feel every pothole, and you stand for the entire journey. This is tiring over longer distances or with heavy luggage.
• The battery ages. Like every lithium battery, this one also loses capacity over the years. At some point, the range decreases, and a replacement battery costs money.
• Visibility and safety. In traffic, you are small and easily overlooked. A helmet and lights are not a luxury, but essential equipment.

Good suspension and solid disc brakes, like those included with our models, reduce the drawbacks in terms of comfort and safety. But they do not change the fact that a scooter in the rain is still a scooter in the rain.

How does the e-scooter compare with a car and public transport?

For short trips around the city, the e-scooter wins on cost and flexibility, but on long distances and in bad weather, precisely these advantages lose their impact. So the honest answer depends on your typical route.

The following table shows the strengths and weaknesses side by side:

The table makes the point clear: An e-scooter is not a replacement for everything. It is a specialist for short, flexible journeys through the city, and that is exactly where it clearly beats cars and buses.

What does it cost to run an e-scooter?

After purchase, an e-scooter is one of the cheapest vehicles to operate because ongoing costs consist almost entirely of electricity. The biggest expense is the purchase itself; after that, it becomes surprisingly cheap.

This is how the costs add up:

• Electricity: A full charge costs just a few centimes. Even with daily commuting, it barely makes a difference to your electricity bill.
• Maintenance: Brake pads, tyres and occasional servicing. Nothing compared with the running costs of a car.
• Battery: Lasts for many years, but is the only significant expense that may eventually arise.
• Insurance: Not required for the slower, legal version in Switzerland (more on this in the next section).

In short: If you use the scooter regularly, you will recoup the purchase price over time through the savings on car or ticket costs. If you take it out of the basement three times a year, you will not. It all comes down to how often you use it.

What legal requirements must you observe in Switzerland?

In Switzerland, you may ride an e-scooter without insurance or a vignette if its design limits it to a maximum speed of 20 km/h and the motor produces no more than 500 watts. This limit is the key point when buying one.

The most important rules at a glance:

• Speed and power: Up to 20 km/h and a maximum of 500 watts, the scooter is considered a light motor vehicle and does not require type approval.
• Insurance: There is no insurance requirement for this slower class. Faster models would require a vignette and are subject to stricter rules.
• Helmet: Not mandatory for the slower models, but strongly recommended. Helmets are compulsory for faster vehicles.
• Minimum age: From age 14, although a moped licence is required between ages 14 and 16.
• Where you may ride: On the road and on cycle paths. Pavements and sidewalks are off-limits.

Anyone who wants to know exactly can find the details in our guide on which e-scooters and e-bikes are approved in Switzerland. Important for you: All e-scooters in our eMobility range are designed to comply with these Swiss requirements.

Is it worth it for you now or not?

If your daily routine consists of short trips around the city and you are willing to switch to an alternative in bad weather, an e-scooter is clearly worthwhile. If your journeys are long, you transport a lot or need to arrive reliably in all weather, steer clear of it and choose a bicycle, e-bike or car.

In short: The e-scooter is not an all-rounder, but a precise tool for a specific purpose. If it meets that purpose, it is one of the cheapest and most relaxed ways to get around the city.

If this applies to you, the key factor is choosing the right range. If you want some extra capacity, take a look at the E-Scooter Pro with up to 100 km of range and suspension. If your regular commute is enough, the lighter E-Scooter Lite weighing around 19 kilograms is the more convenient choice. You can find both models and the e-bikes in the TWHEELS eMobility selection.

Frequently asked questions

How fast may an e-scooter travel in Switzerland?

To ride without insurance or a vignette, the scooter must be limited by design to a maximum of 20 km/h and the motor may produce no more than 500 watts. Faster models are subject to stricter regulations.

Do I need a helmet?

There is no helmet requirement for the slower, legal models. Nevertheless, wearing a helmet is strongly recommended because you are small and unprotected in traffic. Helmets are mandatory for faster vehicles.

How far can I travel on a single battery charge?

That depends heavily on the model. A compact scooter such as the E-Scooter Lite covers a shorter distance depending on your riding style and terrain, while the E-Scooter Pro can reach up to 100 km with its larger battery. Cold temperatures, inclines and your riding style reduce the range in practice.

Can I ride an e-scooter in the rain?

A splash-proof scooter can handle brief periods of light rain; our models meet the IPX4 protection rating. In heavy rain, snow or ice, however, you should choose an alternative because grip and visibility suffer.

Is an e-scooter financially worthwhile?

If you use it often, yes. Operating costs are very low because electricity is almost the only expense. If you only take the scooter out occasionally, however, buying one is not worthwhile. It depends on how you use it, not just on the price.

How do I protect the scooter against theft?

Use a sturdy lock, secure the scooter to a fixed point and, if possible, take it inside, for example to the office or into your home. Because of its low weight, an unsecured scooter is an easy target.

At what age am I allowed to ride?

From age 14. Between 14 and 16, you need a moped licence; from age 16, you no longer do.