Why you need a lightweight electric scooter

What does your commute currently look like? A long, slow, expensive journey pressed into a stranger's sweaty armpit? Wouldn't you rather be whizzing along the bike lane or weaving through the traffic to get to work on time?

If you answered yes to either of these questions, you should probably consider investing in a lightweight electric scooter.

Why are electric scooters so popular all of a sudden

In 2021 the global electric scooter market was estimated to be worth a staggering $20.78 billion, due largely to vast improvements in technology meaning that improvements like increased battery life and decreased scooter weight have become the norm.

So if you've been thinking about getting hold of an electric scooter, you're not alone, as these handy micro-mobility vehicles have been picking up in popularity massively around the globe over the past decade.

Even the cities that were initially resistant to the introduction of micro-mobility options have now got involved too. For example, New York legalized them at the end of 2020, following major western US states, whilst London has also introduced a pilot scheme for electric scooter rideshare companies in Summer 2022, following most major European capital cities.

Public transport options still remain, which continue to prove to be a cheaper and more ecological alternatives to driving a combustible-fuel (diesel or gas) vehicle.

However, questions sometimes remain over reliability in some cities, and since COVID-19, the public has not returned to trusting and relying on public transport to anywhere near the level that it did before the pandemic.

So if you're amongst the many that are looking for or at least considering buying an electric scooter, you've probably found yourself at least once lost in the depths of online shopping catalogs trying to decipher which model fits your needs as well as your budget.

Why do I need a lightweight electric scooter

One of the biggest decisions that you'll have to make is whether to opt for a heavier-duty, longer-range model or a more lightweight electric scooter. Both can come as folding electric scooters, and with single or dual motors, but will of course provide different performance stats.

In this article, we'll look at why you need a lightweight electric scooter by exploring the pros and cons of these micromobility vehicles, as well as share what makes the Unagi Model One one of the best lightweight electric scooters around.

You save money on gas, insurance, registration, and maintenance by using an electric scooter

The total cost of operating an electric scooter is far less than the total cost of operating a car. An electric scooter can easily save you thousands of dollars in gas, insurance, registration and maintenance costs each year. In addition to saving money on these expenses, you will also be doing your part for the environment by reducing carbon emissions that come from vehicles.

The actual cost difference between cars and electric scooters varies based on several factors: how much driving you do per month, what type of vehicle it is (gasoline or hybrid), and where you live (gas prices vary across states). However, an electric scooter is definitely cheaper than driving a car, and lightweight electric models are often cheaper than heavier models.

You save time not sitting in traffic jams or looking for parking

The good news is that you can now save time by not sitting in traffic jams, looking for parking and finding a spot to charge your electric scooter. You won't have to worry about getting home or work or the gym any sooner than usual with this vehicle.

Using an e scooter is more fun

When you're riding along on a scooter, you can feel the air blowing through your hair and smell the city around you. Riding an electric scooter is also super fast meaning you can get from point A to point B without wasting time.

If you imagine riding an electric scooter, you might envisage scenes of you scooting across rough terrain on a beast of a machine, taking the path ahead as it comes. Or, you might see yourself nimbly boosting along a bike lane or flat road, weaving between traffic and beating the bus.

If you imagined the former, you'll want a heavier scooter, and if you saw the latter, you'll probably want a lightweight electric scooter.

Whether to go for a heavy or lightweight electric scooter

Before you get that big heavy-duty electric scooter, think about the possibility of getting something more lightweight, it's so much more convenient.

One of the best things about lightweight scooters is that they're easy to transport and can be stowed away in a closet when not in use. This makes them ideal for dorm rooms and apartments with limited space and means that you can take them almost anywhere without worrying about having enough room at your destination.

Heavier-duty e-scooters aren't usually the most portable scooters, because even if you can fold them you might not be able to carry them very far or store them in a small space. That's why in our opinion, lightweight scooters really are the best electric scooters.

How much does an electric scooter weigh

The weight of an electric scooter is a huge factor in both its performance and portability and one that you should look into in-depth before deciding on which model to buy.

The average weight of an electric scooter is around 40-50 pounds, but there are some lightweight models that weigh less than 30 pounds and some on the other end of the spectrum that weigh upwards of 100 pounds.

So make sure you've compared the weights of your potential electric scooter models before making the purchase, as how much electric scooters weigh can massively impact their performance on the road.

Pros and cons of heavy-duty electric scooters

As you might expect, heavy-duty electric scooters are on average a bit more expensive than their lightweight counterparts. However, this added cost comes with some benefits which means that they are definitely worth it for some people.

A heavy-duty scooter will have more power and greater maximum range than the average lightweight scooter, which makes it a better option for riders who need to travel long distances.

They will also generally be able to carry a heavier load due to having a higher maximum weight limit. You might have thought that a scooter's weight is relative to its reliability, but you would be wrong.

Some manufacturers use lightweight materials that are still very strong like aluminum, magnesium and carbon fiber to make sturdy yet lightweight electric scooters. Coming in at only 15.5 pounds, we think that the Unagi Model One is the best lightweight electric scooter on the market today.

Why choose a lightweight electric scooter

The lighter your electric scooter is, the easier it will be for you to carry it around with ease when you're not riding it. You'll also likely be able to store it in smaller spaces because lighter models are naturally often smaller as well as more portable than their heavy counterparts.

If you think about how much space a heavier piece of machinery takes up compared to a lighter one, then this becomes even more apparent as a large amount of space would have been taken up by those extra 50lbs (or whatever the difference is) worth of weight that a heavier electric scooter model might have.

Lightweight electric scooters are also (in some regards) easier to ride because regardless of the weight of the rider they will not require as much energy from their rider as heavy-duty models do.

This means that if your goal is just transportation around town rather than going long distances at high speeds then lightweight models might suit your needs better.

Are there any disadvantages to a lightweight electric scooter

To make a fair comparison, we have to admit that there are a couple of disadvantages to lightweight electric scooters. For example, there are reports that some of the lightest electric scooters can't carry as much weight.

If you're planning on moving groceries around the neighborhood with your new ride, or have a heavy tool bag that you need to carry with you on your commute, this could pose a problem.

So if you're an adrenaline junkie who likes to go fast or particularly far, then a larger heavier scooter with a larger heavier battery pack might well be a better choice of model for you.

But a much larger percentage of electric scooter riders are looking for a lightweight electric scooter suitable for commuting, aka a commuter scooter.

Finally, lighter scooters aren't generally built for rough terrain or particularly steep hills (although our E500 model with dual motors can climb steep hills with relative ease). If these are issues that persist in your area then bear in mind that not all light scooters will work for your specific needs.

In fact, it's best to check the motor power of any models of lighter electric scooters that have already come into your consideration, whether you have steep hills to climb or not.

Why lightweight scooters are better than heavy-duty scooters

Lightweight scooters are easier to use whether you're riding them or not.

They can be folded up and stored in a closet or trunk when not in use. This is good news if you live in an apartment building or have limited storage space at home.

When riding lightweight scooters, you can weave through traffic with ease instead of being limited by heavy-duty models that cannot weave between cars easily because they're too bulky and awkward.

Lightweight electric scooters are portable electric scooters

Surely you've heard the phrase that a lightweight electric scooter is a portable electric scooter? Maybe not, but it is a pretty reliable statement to live by when shopping for the best electric scooter for you. For a scooter to be portable, at the core it has to be a light scooter, that is a necessity.

A smaller and lighter model is much more likely to be a foldable electric scooter, though it isn't necessarily a given fact. Not all scooters have a folding mechanism built in, but a lot of the lighter ones do so that they can be carried at either end of the journey.

Some models even have foldable handlebars to streamline the model when you're carrying it, and foldable or retractable frames to catalyze the folding process. When it's folded up it can be hard to imagine such a small scooter having such power to get you on your way.

There's no point in having a folding mechanism if the electric scooter's weight is too much to pick up when it's been folded in two.

One of the best things about an electric scooter is that it takes up less space than a bicycle, and one that can be folded in two takes up markable less space again.

When you're not using your scooter, you can fold it up and store it in a small space like under a desk or in a closet. You can even fit your lightweight electric scooter into the trunk of your car for easy transportation if you don't need it for your whole journey.

Some manufacturers will specifically label their model as a compact scooter rather than a portable scooter, but make sure to research other scooters in their range before making a decision.

You won't get sweaty from riding your scooter to work

Arguably the best benefit of using a lightweight scooter to commute: you won't get sweaty from riding your scooter to work (unless you work at the beach and it's super sunny outside and well, you get the idea).

Being the proud owner of a lightweight e-scooter means you won't have to lug an unwieldy metal or plastic machine around, which means you can ride it in a suit and tie. It's great for the summer, but you'll still be comfortable when it's raining or snowing outside.

It's a great way to get around, whether you're going to work, the store, the beach, or the park, you can have faith that when you'll arrive you'll be in better condition than if you took a bike instead.

Lightweight electric scooters are convenient, versatile, and affordable

A lightweight electric scooter is a great way to get around cities, especially if you don't have access to a car. Not to mention stylish, what else do you know that has a top speed of 25mph and is clad in carbon fiber? Some of the lightest scooters still have impressive top speeds that rival more expensive competitors.

You can use it as a mode of transportation or as an alternative means of recreation. A lightweight electric scooter is easy to fold up and take with you, so it's convenient when traveling or even just for storing inside a small apartment.

You'll save some level of money and power by using lighter scooter models too, because just like a car, the heavier it is, the more power and fuel is required to push it along. This is of course relevant to models with the same motor power but different weights.

You can pack light scooters up at a moment's notice.

Imagine being able to fold up your scooter in seconds and store it in a closet or under your bed. Or, if you're more adventurous, imagine taking it with you on vacation. You can take the scooter wherever life takes you. The lightweight design using lightweight but strong materials like carbon fiber and aluminum allows for exceptionally easy storage and transportability.

Lightweight electric scooter it is, then

So, if you're looking for a way to get around that's even easier than walking and cheaper than driving a car, then unless you either live in the desert or in a city where they aren't legalized, an electric scooter is no doubt the perfect solution.

Most portable electric scooters are lightweight, convenient, and easy to use, so you can take them anywhere with ease. When you're shopping around, make sure to check the electric scooter weight, its top speed, and whether or not it's a foldable electric scooter before committing to buy.

And remember, just because you have come across the lightest electric scooter on the market does not mean you have come across one of the best scooters out there.

Weight (or lack of) is clearly advantageous for the reasons we've discussed, but it isn't the only thing that matters, and the brand reputation and consumer reviews are very important things to look out for.

When ride quality is already assured, you want to make sure first and foremost that you're purchasing the right electric scooter for you and your needs. It's no good getting the lightest model on the market just to find out it has substandard battery life that doesn't even get you to work!

The electric scooter industry is awash with many cheap imitation brands that don't necessarily provide quality or even deliver on their promised metrics. Shop around light electric scooters online and try them out for size if possible, for example using the Unagi All-Access scheme, which is now available across the whole continental US.

Unagi all-access subscription

If you've managed to get all the way through this article and are seriously considering trying on a lightweight electric scooter but don't know where to start, we can help. Trying one of our high-performance scooters (what we think is the best lightweight electric scooter out there) out for size might be a good option for you.

Throughout the entire continental United States, Unagi will deliver to your door a top-of-the-range Model One electric scooter, just serviced and fully insured, for you to lease for a low monthly cost of $49 a month, with no hidden fees down the line.