A Comprehensive Guide to E-Scooter Motors
When selecting your initial electric scooter, it's common to feel confused by electrical specifications. Volts? Watts? Brushless DC Motors? All you desire is a speedy, budget-friendly scooter that can tackle inclines!
However, you can master the art of interpreting the rated specifications of any electric vehicle's motor capabilities. Actually, it's the essential skill you require to identify an electric scooter that aligns with your riding requirements and preferences.
Is one motor sufficient, or do you need two? What is peak power, and why is it significant? Do all electric scooters come equipped with brushless DC hub motors?
We'll address these inquiries and many others in our introductory guide to e scooter motors below.
Table of Contents
Electric Scooter Motors: the Basics
Brushless DC Hub Motor (BLDC Motor)
Nearly all scooters – the vast majority of electric scooters, specifically – incorporate some variation of a BLDC hub motor, meaning the motor is integrated within one or both of the scooter's wheels. An electric motor mounted in the hub is a component we rarely acknowledge, but without it, even the most robust scooters on the streets wouldn't function.
BLDC motors have largely supplanted brushed DC motors, an older type of electric motor that relies on mechanical brushes to manage electric current. Brushed motors are significantly less efficient than Brushless motors and are more vulnerable to mechanical breakdown and overheating.
Since you will most likely not encounter a Brushed DC motor on an electric scooter, we won't delve into additional distinctions. It suffices to mention that BLDC motors facilitate regenerative braking, where the surplus heat produced by electronic braking is converted into electricity and redirected back to the battery.
Electric motors are mainly rated in Volts and Watts, although a few other figures may also be relevant. Power itself is derived from the battery, akin to the gas tank of the electric scooter.
When you twist the throttle, the controller sends the appropriate amount of electrical energy to the motor, and the BLDC hub motor transforms electricity into mechanical torque, relaying it directly to one or both wheels.
Volts
Voltage indicates the amount of current that can flow to the motor. Typically, a motor with higher voltage operates more efficiently. The voltage of an electric scooter motor is linked to the voltage of its controller and battery, all working in unison to provide power in the most effective manner.
Common voltage levels for electric scooters include 24V, 36V, 48V, 52V, 60V, and even 72V at the extreme end in highly powerful models like JOYOR E8-S Dual Motor Electric Scooter. Generally, higher voltage electrical systems produce more power, allowing for quicker acceleration, increased torque, and a higher maximum speed.
Nominal Power Vs. Peak Power
Nominal Power Consumption
Nominal power, often referred to as continuous power, indicates the level of motor power that an electric scooter's motor can reliably utilize over a lengthy time frame without the risk of overheating or suffering damage. Similar to “horsepower,” watts is a somewhat vague metric, and manufacturers might assess motor wattage in various ways.
Watts do not reflect a motor's efficiency. For instance, two 500W motors may not exhibit identical mechanical power. This figure alone does not provide much insight into the scooter's performance, and two motors with equivalent sustained or continuous power consumption could deliver markedly different performance outcomes.
Peak Power Consumption
Many high-quality electric scooters will indicate their motor power specifications with two values: Nominal (or continuous) power and Peak power.
Peak power usage denotes the level of power a motor can utilize during brief periods of intense activity.
Typically, the greater the specified peak power, the quicker an electric scooter will accelerate and ascend inclines, making it crucial to consider this figure.
Torque
Torque refers to the twisting force created by a rotating motor, and it is the force that drives the wheels and propels the scooter forward.
Torque is quantified in Newton meters (NM) or foot-pounds. Nevertheless, most electric scooters do not specify a motor's torque (although some might label their models as “torquey”).
Watts represent the input capability of electric motors—the extent of power they can utilize—while torque indicates their output, the actual power produced by the motor.
Electric scooter manufacturers often do not disclose this figure, making it essential to consult reviews from individuals who have tested an electric scooter that you are considering purchasing in order to learn how it truly performs on the road.
Speed and Acceleration
In terms of speed and acceleration, the wattage of a motor isn't the sole consideration. The rider's weight and the terrain can significantly influence performance.
Moreover, the kind of motor within an electric scooter can also play a role in its acceleration and maximum speed. For instance, a dual motor scooter typically provides quicker acceleration and a greater top speed compared to a single motor scooter.
As mentioned, the voltage of an electric scooter can additionally impact both speed and acceleration, along with the dimensions of its battery cells and the effective functioning of its motor controller.
Hill Climbing
More powerful motors and those with greater torque are better suited for steep slopes. The ability to climb hills is significantly influenced by elements like the rider's weight, the type of terrain, and also the weather conditions and wind direction.
It's essential to take into account the weather, the kind of terrain you will be riding on, and the rider's weight when selecting an electric scooter motor.
If you intend to frequently navigate hills or ride in challenging conditions, it is advisable to choose a scooter with a more powerful motor, higher peak power specification, and increased torque.
Having dual motor power will generally allow you to ascend hills more quickly than with a single motor power.
Single Motor Electric Scooters
The electric scooter's hub motor provides smooth and quiet acceleration. Single motor scooters are equipped with a single DC electric motor located either in the front or back wheel. Although there are some excellent budget electric scooter options that feature front-mounted hub motors, rear-mounted motors are generally favored for reasons we will explore below.
Front Hub Motors
As implied by the name, front-mounted DC electric motors are situated within the front wheel of an electric scooter. Scooters equipped with front hub motors typically have lower wattage and seldom exceed 500W for sustained power.
Rear Hub Motors
Electric scooters equipped with rear hub motors generally provide enhanced traction on wet or slick surfaces, and they typically exhibit superior hill-climbing capability compared to scooters using front hub motors.
The reason for this is that front hub motors usually pull more than they push, resulting in unnecessary drag from the weight of the scooter and rider.
As riders predominantly shift their weight towards the rear wheel, particularly during stops or when ascending slopes, a rear wheel drive scooter tends to offer greater stability and is less likely to lose grip in rainy conditions. An electric scooter with a wheel hub motor generally requires less maintenance because of its simplified design. With a scooter wheel hub motor, riders can enjoy better efficiency and reduced maintenance costs.
Dual Motor Electric Scooters
You need a minimum of one motor to operate your scooter, but why not install one in every wheel? Dual hub motors provide an electric scooter with double the power for outstanding hill climbing and quicker acceleration.
As a professional e-scooter distributor, BUYMOREWAY owns multiple brands of e-scooters. So which e-scooters with dual motors are worth considering?
1. KuKirin G2 Master Electric Scooter
The fast electric scooter Kukirin G2 Master is equipped with dual powerful 1000W brush motors, which bring serious power and top-notch control, perfect for off-road adventures. The 20.8Ah battery can full charge in 10-11 hours. You can reach up to 70 Kilometers. The 10 inch Off-Road wheels is able to conquer various terrains, bringing you a lot of fun and excitment.
2. KuKirin G3 Pro Electric Scooter
With dual 1200W front and rear dual motors, this e-scooter provides greater power output, allowing the electric scooter to accelerate faster and climb hills more efficiently; at the same time, it evenly distributes power, offering better traction and stability. The Max speed can reach up to 65 kph. When fully charged, the maximum mileage is up to 80 km.
The 2-wheel scooter DUOTTS OOTD D88 is a foldable electric scooter featuring an upgraded power system and a remarkable 5600W electric scooter motor. Equipped with 11-inch all-terrain tires, this off-road electric scooter turns urban roads and challenging mountain paths into an ideal platform for demonstrating your strength.
4. TEEWING X5
The motor of this e-scooter is 6000W, which delivers an exceptional amount of power, allowing riders to effortlessly accelerate and reach top speeds quickly. Thanks to the 700C*38C tires, you can ride where you want to, not afraid of the tough roads and steep hills. What makes it outstanding is that it also has a seat. When you are tired from riding, you can still sit.
The high capacity 60V18Ah battery ensures a long range of 85Km. The top-tier setup features a Two-Wheel Drive 1000W motor, delivering robust power, superior acceleration, and an exceptional riding experience on slopes of up to 30. With 10-inch 3 wide Off-Road tires, the contact surface is expanded, offering enhanced safety and improved ride comfort.
How Much E-Scooter Motor Power Do You Need?
Let's review: although the power consumption rating of a motor, given in watts, provides some insight into its total output, two motors with identical wattage can operate quite differently. The key factor in this variation is a motor's efficiency.
E-Scooter Motors that operate at a higher voltage generally exhibit greater efficiency and increased torque, delivering enhanced power for climbing hills and achieving quicker acceleration.
However, the power needed to operate your electric scooter will entirely depend on the primary purpose for which you are using it. If you are leisurely navigating around town, running errands, or commuting a few miles each way, a single 500W motor may be more than sufficient. In fact, some scooters equipped with 350W motors can perform equally well, or even better, than several models rated at 500W.
Of course, the larger the value of the motor, the more powerful it is, just like the several products we introduced above.
Conclusion
Through this guide, I believe you have some knowledge about e-scooter motors. If you want to know more, you can click here!
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