How Much Electricity Does It Take To Charge An Electric Scooter?

The electrification of vehicles is not limited to cars, it also extends to two-wheelers. The electric scooter is gaining popularity in the electric vehicle market, thanks to its practicality and its ecological character.

These scooters are increasingly popular, especially among city dwellers. With a range varying from 40 to 200 km, a question then arises: how to charge an electric scooter, and How Much Electricity Does It Take To Charge An Electric Scooter?

How to charge an e-scooter?

Before charging your electric scooter, it is essential to know the type of battery it is equipped with. Two types of batteries are commonly used: Lead-acid batteries are heavier and have a more limited lifespan and Lithium-ion batteries are lighter, offer greater range, and require less recharge time.

Electric scooters fall into two categories: those with a removable battery and those with a fixed battery. The removable batteries, usually weighing between 10 and 12 kg, are located under the driver's seat and can be easily removed. For electric scooters equipped with a non-removable battery, charging is slightly different. Simply plug the included cable into a standard power outlet.

Several factors influence the charging time of an electric scooter like battery capacity, the current charge level, the type of charger used, and the battery level indicator. Most electric scooters are equipped with a battery level indicator, which tells you the optimal time to recharge your vehicle. However, we recommend that you follow some basic rules to avoid loss of performance or battery life like recharge your electric scooter when the charge level is between 20 and 30% and avoid letting the battery discharge completely.

The required charging time varies depending on the models of electric scooters. On average, it takes between 4 and 7 hours for a range of 40 to 70 km. Engine size (50, 100, 150 cc), type of route, weather, and driving can also influence the number of kilometers of range. For example, a smooth ride helps preserve the battery.

How Much Electricity Does It Take To Charge An Electric Scooter?

You must take into account the battery capacity, which is often expressed in watt-hours (Wh) or ampere-hours (Ah), to calculate the power usage. Assume your electric scooter's battery has a 200 Wh (0.2 kWh) capacity. The following formula is used to determine power consumption:

Energy use (kWh) = battery capacity (kWh) / efficiency

The amount of energy wasted during the charging process—usually as a result of heat dissipation and other factors—is represented by the charging efficiency. It may differ based on the charger and the battery management mechanism of the scooter. Let's assume a charging efficiency of 80% and battery capacity 0.5 KWh

Electricity use (kWh) = 0.5 KWh/ 0.8~0.63 kWh

Therefore, with a 500 Wh battery capacity and an 80% charging efficiency, it would require about 0.63 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of power to charge your electric scooter.

It's important to remember that prices and tariffs for power vary based on where you live. You would need to multiply the energy use by the cost per kilowatt-hour in your region to determine the cost of charging.

Charging Cost = Electricity consumption x cost of charging

For example, Charging cost = 0.63 kilowatt-hours (kWh) x Rs. 2 per kWh ~ Rs. 1.26

Accordingly, in this example, assuming a charging efficiency of 80% and an electricity pricing of Rs. 2 per kWh, it would cost around Rs. 1.26 to charge your electric scooter.

Charging can be done at the owner's home if they have a good power source, or at their workplace if they have access to an outside electrical outlet. In both cases, the driver must ensure that the voltage exactly matches the needs of the vehicle and that the charger is compatible. He must also make sure to let the batteries cool down before recharging them. During charging, they should ideally have a temperature of 10 to 20°C. It is also possible to recharge your electric scooter at a public charging station. If the batteries are removable, you can recharge them wherever you want, as for your smartphone. To keep your batteries in excellent condition, you must refrain from recharging them when they are still above 50%. You should not wait for them to drop below 15% before recharging them. As soon as they are full, the charger must be disconnected to avoid overcharging and the resulting risks.