Renting vs Buying An E-Scooter: The Pros & Cons
So you’re on the fence about whether you want to make the final investment or continue to rent out public e-scooters.
Public and rental e-scooters have pros and cons, but it’s important to establish that they’re both eco-friendly alternatives to driving and are much more affordable.
That being said, in this simple guide, we’re here to help you decide whether you’re ready to make the jump from renting to buying.
What are the pros of investing in an e-scooter?
There’s nothing quite like having your own e-scooter, allowing you to explore your local area freely. With many pros, we’ve broken them down for you.
Cater to your needs
While all public scooters may be the same, the public is not. We all require different needs, including various height requirements, max speeds and styles.
This is the beauty of privately owned scooters, as you can cater to your needs without being restricted to one setting, ultimately giving you a more personal, heightened experience.
Can you customise your e-scooter?
Like any vehicle, you can customise it when you own it. The enjoyment of shopping around and looking at various brands and styles is a luxury you don’t have when it comes to generic renting options. From various mods and colour patterns, the world is your creation.
Availability
Renting an electric scooter can be convenient, but you do have to wait for them to be available first. As rentable e-scooters are usually limited to bigger cities, there is no guarantee that these scooters won’t already be in use when you get to your destination.
Owning your e-scooter means you can use it whenever you like, leaving the unnecessary waiting times behind and that dreaded panic of wondering whether or not it’ll be where you left it.
It’s important to note you can only legally use your own e-scooter on private land you own.
Are e-scooters cost-effective?
If you are an avid public transport user, including rentable electric scooters, you’re probably no stranger to seeing these costs add up.
A day ticket here and a 15-minute e-scooter ride there can add up to a yearly cost similar to a one-off purchase, but with one key difference – you don’t have your own e-scooter at the end of it.
Electric scooters can be pricey, ranging from £150 to those in the thousands, but it all comes down to your needs and, of course, your budget. Either way, once you’ve paid your e-scooter off, you won’t have to pay a penny.
Is insuring an electric scooter affordable?
While insurance is not an entertaining topic, it is important, and one perk of having an electric scooter is that, unlike car insurance, it is much more affordable.
The benefits of renting an electric scooter
While owning your e-scooter is great, renting an electric scooter also has benefits, allowing freedom in big cities and more.
Maintenance
Getting from A to B without worrying about maintenance issues is a benefit of renting an e-scooter. The rental company is responsible for supplying you with a fully functional electric scooter, leaving all the maintenance costs absorbed and out of your way.
Short-term Investment
Charging around 10p a minute and a starter fee, a short journey won’t break your bank account by any means compared to saving and making the jump to getting your first electric scooter. Trialling an e-scooter is also a great way to decide whether an e-scooter is right for you before making a larger purchase.
Convenience
Perfect for those who do not plan on using an e-scooter frequently, rental scooters sure do fit your needs. When available, these scooters can get you from A to B at a nominal cost and often can just be left for you to resume your everyday activities.
Are public e-scooters insured?
As with maintenance, all the admin of using rental scooters, including the stress of being insured, is not your problem.
This does not mean you can go wild and be reckless whilst riding, but it removes the stress of getting insurance before onboarding.
Which is cheaper: renting or owning an electric scooter?
This question is subjective. A simple calculation for you to use to decipher whether or not the investment is right for you is to break it down by cost-per-use.
While the stand-up fee may seem expensive, adding your rental fees into a yearly total can be more pricey. Not to mention that e-scooters can last for years, breaking the cost per use even further.
Likewise, if you find that you won’t be using the rental scooter often enough, investing in an electric scooter may not be worth it. The affordable alternative may be to stick to the rental scooters.
How much are electric scooters?
This is dependent on what you are looking for. The cost of electric scooters can range from £100 to those in the thousands, with the pricier side withstanding longer periods without needing to be recharged.
At Electric Life, our most affordable options have around 60 minutes of use until they need recharging, while the most luxurious pieces can last up to 5 hours.
One benefit of both renting an e-scooter and making the purchase is that both options certainly positively impact the environment more than driving.
We have collated a range of phenomenal quality electric scooters that suit everyone’s needs. Using years of expertise to compile a competitively priced scooter collection, including electrical giants that have been manufacturing electric-mobility scooters for decades. You can add ease to your life by exploring our range now.
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AN IN DEPTH LOOK ON E-SCOOTERS
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