They are everywhere. Literally. Every corner, there is one zooming ahead of you. There is no denying the e-scooter’s indispensable presence, to the point of becoming a viable alternative – a solution to the tedious, unbearable traffic jams, and the electric scooter’s promise of convenience, and ease of travel, in minutes!
The reason is obvious. Electric scooters in Australia have become a popular means of commuting for so many people nowadays. After all, electric scooters proffer a faster, cost-efficient, fun, and eco-friendly way to go on short trips or daily commutes.
Herein lies the dilemma, however, for those who want and need to ride electric scooters for commuting. Many are at a loss whether to buy or just rent an electric scooter.
Without much ado, let’s dive into the pros and cons of a. owning and b. renting an e-scooter. This guide can help you decide which fits your lifestyle best and also your budget.
Owning an Electric Scooter – The Pros
- Savings in the long run. Some people might hesitate to buy an electric scooter because of the initial cost, but owning an electric scooter is more cost-effective in the long run, especially for daily commuters. When you buy an electric scooter, you pay for the usable lifetime of the e-scooter. As a result, it becomes cheaper per mile over time.
- Yours for riding, anywhere and anytime. Whenever you need to go outside, you only need to take out your scooter and go. Moreover, you can go anywhere, anytime because you don’t have to think about the cost per mile or the time limit to use the e-scooter. You can go home after work knowing that you have an e-scooter that you can ride at any given moment.
- Ride the e-scooter that fits your needs. One of the best things about owning an electric scooter for adults is that you can choose the model that you need. MEARTH offers top-performing, top-tier, and high-quality electric scooters that fit your budget and lifestyle. Since e-scooter rentals tend to underperform or be uncomfortable, you can choose one according to the range, power, and comfort that you need. You can fully customize your e-scooter according to your own preference.
- Your safety is assured. Finally, owning an electric scooter ensures that you are riding a quality, durable, and safe electric scooter. Since you inspect your electric scooter regularly, you know if it’s in top condition to ride, ensuring your safety.
The Cons:
- Charging is your responsibility. Electric scooter owners should always ensure that their e-scooter is charged even when they don’t need to use it. This can be an inconvenience for some people, especially if they live busy lives. Plan when you’re using an e-scooter so that you can plan on when to charge it. After all, it takes hours to recharge an e-scooter completely.
- Maintaining the e-scooter in top condition is your responsibility. Besides charging your e-scooter, you also need to inspect it regularly. Although electric scooters are generally low maintenance, the time and effort to have them inspected by a mechanic or check on them before and after rides could be tedious for some. This also means that you need to shoulder maintenance costs in case of damage.
Renting an Electric Scooter- The Pros
- You save on the cost of riding a taxi or public transport. Renting an electric scooter doesn’t cost much. Unlocking a scooter usually costs $1, while the cost of charging is around 50¢ per minute. However, e-scooter sharing is good only for occasional use or short trips.
- No need to charge the battery or maintain it in good condition. You’re relieved of the task of charging the battery or maintaining it since the e-scooter sharing companies will be the ones to do that for you. Once you rent an e-scooter, you’re good to go.
- Just right for occasional use. Renting an electric scooter is a realistic option for people who don’t really need to commute regularly. Stroll around the city riding a rented e-scooter when you feel the impulse to do it, or use it for a particular errand. It is efficient, minus the accountability, and also fun to ride.
The Cons
- Finding a readily available rented e-scooter can be inconvenient. Shared e-scooters can be left anywhere by the last user. Often, the next user cannot readily access the rideable. What can also be quite inconvenient is that the electric scooter you find nearest you could end up being unusable – for various reasons. Rented e-scooters tend to either underperform or prove uncomfortable while riding.
- Concerns about safety. It is to be expected that when you opt to rent electric scooters, you’re sharing them with the public. So you don’t know how the last person who used them actually rode them. If something was damaged on the e-scooter, you’ll be clueless. The downside here is serious. Riding a damaged e-scooter increases your risk of accidents and injuries.
- Low performance and comfort. The best electric scooter for adults offers fast speeds, long ranges, and comfortable rides that cannot be guaranteed because rental e-scooters are mass-produced and usually have a low motor and speed. In addition, they can be quite uncomfortable to use for some riders, when it comes to e-scooter size or ride quality.
After considering all the pros and cons of buying or renting an electric scooter, owning an electric scooter offers more advantages than renting one. When you decide to buy your own personal electric scooter, you have the freedom to choose, according to your purpose, the range, power, and ride quality that you will be comfortable with.
While both owned and rented electric scooters may be cost-effective, they differ greatly in terms of convenience and performance. What’s more, serious e-scooter riders who want quality rides, comfort, and consistency every time will be benefitting more if they buy a high-quality, top-performing, reliable electric scooter like Mearth.
Riders who need a daily first and last-mile solution for their commute will undoubtedly want to save in the long run. Opting to buy an electric scooter would be a wise, informed choice.
To get the best deal on top-notch, superior electric scooters, check out Mearth’s line of commuter, long-range and off-road electric scooters www.mearth.com.au.