A mobility scooter is an important tool to allow people to overcome daily obstacles and be able to rely more on themselves. Mobility scooters increase social life and stay independentafter about four months of use.
There are important factors that involve mobility scooters, like range or how far they go. Just like anything, the range is dependent on weight, tire pressure, and battery life. Before you make a big purchase, it is important to know how fast and how far a scooter can go after being fully charged.
What is “range” in a mobility scooter?
Range in a mobility scooter is how far a mobility scooter can travel when it is fully charged. This distance can range from 6 to 20 miles. Some can go as far as 45 miles depending on the model you purchase.
What factors affect range in a mobility scooter?
Just like any vehicle, a mobility scooter can be affected by multiple different things. There are a few factors that can affect the range of your mobility scooter.
Tire pressure
Before going out on your mobility scooter, it is important to check your tire pressure. A tire that may be flat or under-inflated can negatively affect your speed and the distance you can go.
Just like a car, if your tire pressure is extremely low it can even cause permanent damage to your wheels, causing you to need a replacement.
Weight
You will notice that the more weight on your scooter, the slower your scooter will be and the faster the battery will die. You will also notice that it will go slower and not as far with too much weight. Many scooters have a maximum load capacity of 220 pounds.
There are some models with exceptions that have the ability to carry up to 400 to 450 pounds. However, most scooters can maintain their best performance by carrying about 160 to 165 pounds, the average weight of an adult.
Weather
If you are moving against a high wind your scooter will use up more energy, go slower, and the battery will die more quickly. Using your scooter in hot weather in the summer will also negatively impact your speed and battery.
If you are also storing your scooter in a hot garage, this will also significantly impact how it operates. It is important that when you use your scooter and when it is stored the temperature is not more than 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Riding uphill
If you are in a hilly area and find that you are constantly taking your scooter uphill, you will notice that it is negatively impacting your scooter. The steeper the road is, the shorter the distance your scooter will go and the shorter the battery life will be.
Quick changes in speed
If you are suddenly and frequently breaking and accelerating, it can contribute to your scooter traveling a shorter distance and having battery problems. It is best to try and maintain the same speed as you ride your scooter to maintain the maximum range of your scooter.
Mobility scooters with the longest range: Review of 7 top models
There are many scooters on the market with a good amount of range and battery life. We have put together a list of the top seven scooters on the market that you can buy.
1. EWheels EW 36
The EWheels EW 36mobility scooter is a three-wheeled scooter that can travel almost 43 miles with a maximum speed of 13 miles per hour. It has a weight capacity of 350 pounds. The scooter also has a rear shock absorption with mirrors and headlights. It also has an anti-theft alarm.
The EWheels EW 36, however, is a recreational scooter so it cannot go on many other on terrain other than a sidewalk or road.
2. EWheels EW 72
The EWheels EW 72mobility scooter is a four-wheeled scooter that can carry up to 500 pounds. It has a maximum range of 43 miles and can travel up to 15 miles per hour. The scooter has an adjustable chair, an anti-theft alarm, and has full suspension. It also comes with a remote key.
While it is a recreational scooter, it can be used outdoors or around town. However, the throttle is known to be a little more sensitive than other models.
3. EWheels EW 54
The EWheels EW 54is a recreational scooter that has a hood that allows you to be protected in any kind of weather. It also has a music system. It will drive up to 43 miles with a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour. The scooter can also hold up to 500 pounds.
The scooter is very unique in style and has interesting options like a foot brake and a digital dashboard similar to a car. However, it is a pricier model, costing almost 4,500 dollars.
4. Pride Mobility Zero Turn 10
The Pride Mobility Zero Turn 10is a recreational scooter with four wheels that operates like a three-wheeled scooter. It has a swivel seat and can drive up to 24 miles at a maximum speed of 7 miles per hour.
The scooter can hold up to 400 pounds and is one of the more affordable scooters on the market, being about 2,800 dollars. However, its range is quite short compared to other scooters.
5. Pride Mobility Maxima 4-Wheel
Similar to the Pride Mobility Zero Turn 10, the Pride Mobility Maxima 4-Wheelis a four-wheeled scooter with three-wheeled scooter mobility. It has a swivel seat and can drive up to 30 miles and 5 miles per hour.
The scooter is known for its durability as it can hold up to 500 pounds. Its disadvantages are its slower speed and its driving range.
6. Drive Medical Prowler 4-Wheel
The Drive Medical Prowler 4-Wheelscooter is a simple mobility scooter that has a wide seat and front and rear suspension. The scooter can drive up to 23 miles and has a speed of 7 miles per hour. It can also hold up to 500 pounds.
This scooter can navigate through multiple terrains if needed. However, with a full charge, the distance and speed of the scooter can be shorter compared to other scooters.
7. Drive Medical Cobra GT4
The Drive Medical Cobra GT4scooter can drive up to 10 miles per hour and has a driving range of 22 miles per hour. The scooter has a full suspension with front and rear lights. It can also hold up to 450 pounds.
The scooter also has low-profile tires that allow for more mobility. Its drawbacks, however, are that it does not have a storage basket and it has a short driving range.
Mobility Scooter Ranges for Popular Scooter Brands & Models
Drive Medical Mobility Scooter Ranges: Comparison Table
Brand | Image | Model | Range (miles-per-charge) | Max Speed (mph) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | Prowler 4-Wheel | 23 | 7 | |
 | Cobra GT4 | 22 | 10 | |
 | 16 | 6 | ||
 | 16 | 6 | ||
 | Phoenix HD 4-Wheel Travel Scooter | 15 | 4 | |
 | Spitfire Scout 4 | 15 | 4.25 | |
 | ZooMe Flex | 13 | 4 | |
 | 13 | 4 | ||
 | Spitfire Scout Portable Scooter (3-wheel) | 9 | 4.25 |
Pride Mobility Scooter Ranges: Comparison Table
Brand | Image | Model | Range (miles-per-charge) | Max Speed (mph) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pride Mobility |  | Maxima 4-Wheel | 30 | 5.3 |
| Pride Mobility | | Zero Turn 10 | 24 | 7 |
| Pride Mobility |  | Wrangler | 24 | 11 |
| Pride Mobility |  | Victory LX Sport | 19.7 | 8 |
| Pride Mobility |  | Raptor (Black) 3-Wheel Scooter | 19 | 14 |
| Pride Mobility |  | Revo 2.0 4 Wheel | 17.8 | 5 |
| Pride Mobility |  | Revo 2.0 Scooter 3 Wheel | 17 | 5 |
| Pride Mobility |  | Victory 10 3-Wheel | 16 | 5.3 |
| Pride Mobility |  | Go-Go Sport Scooter (3-wheel) | 15.9 | 4.7 |
| Pride Mobility |  | Victory 10.2 4-Wheel | 13.5 | 5.2 |
| Pride Mobility |  | Victory 10.2 3-Wheel | 13 | 5.2 |
| Pride Mobility |  | Victory 9 Scooter (3-Wheel) | 13 | 5.3 |
| Pride Mobility |  | Victory 9 Scooter (4-Wheel) | 13 | 5.3 |
| Pride Mobility |  | iRide Folding Scooter | 12.7 | 3.7 |
| Pride Mobility |  | Jazzy Zero Turn 8 4-Wheel Scooter | 11.6 | 4 |
| Pride Mobility |  | Go-Go Elite Traveller Portable Scooter (3-wheel) | 10.9 | 4 |
| Pride Mobility |  | Go-Go Folding Scooter (4-wheel) | 9.3 | 4 |
| Pride Mobility |  | Go-Go ES2 3-Wheel Scooter | 6.8 | 4 |
| Pride Mobility |  | Travel Pro 3-Wheel | 6.3 | 4 |
eWheels Mobility Scooter Ranges: Comparison Table
Brand | Image | Model | Range (miles-per-charge) | Max Speed (mph) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| eWheels |  | 40 | 15 | |
| eWheels |  | 43 | 13 | |
| eWheels |  | 43 | 15 | |
| eWheels |  | 43 | 15 | |
| eWheels |  | 43 | 15 | |
| eWheels |  | 40 | 12 | |
| eWheels |  | 40 | 15 | |
| eWheels |  | 40 | 15 | |
| eWheels |  | 35 | 13 | |
| eWheels |  | 21 | 15 | |
| eWheels |  | 20 | 15 | |
| eWheels |  | 20 | 15 | |
| eWheels |  | EW M34 | 10 | 4.5 |
| eWheels |  | EW M35 | 9 | 4 |
Golden Technologies Mobility Scooter Ranges: Comparison Table
FAQs
Can you upgrade mobility scooter batteries for greater range?
Yes, upgrading your mobility scooter battery will create a great distance for you. You can upgrade to a lead crystal or lithium battery to create a driving distance. The upgraded batteries will allow you to drive 20 percent further on a single charge.
If you do upgrade the battery to increase your range, the battery may cause problems with the scooter, so it is important to find a battery that is compatible with your scooter. It is also important to make sure they are the same dimensions as the original battery.
Will a solar panel extend the range of a mobility scooter?
A solar panel will allow you to charge your mobility scooter in an eco-friendly way. However, it will not extend the range or extend the battery life of your mobility scooter.
How to get more range on a mobility scooter
To get more range on a mobility scooter there are a few things you can do.
- Maintain the same speed while riding. It is important not to accelerate or brake too quickly and often. To keep your battery life and range optimal, it is important to keep the same speed while riding the scooter.
- Make sure there are no electronics plugged in when not necessary. Using the battery to charge other electronics can easily drain the battery and shorten the range.
- Keep your scooter clean. It is important to keep your tires and scooter clean to maintain optimal speed so nothing is intruding on your range or battery life.
- Reduce the weight. Make sure you do not carry too many items on the scooter as the weight will impact your range negatively.
- Keep the tires inflated. Check your tire pressure before riding so you can maintain optimal distance and battery life.
- Check if the brakes are too tight. If your brakes are too tight, you will not be able to ride your scooter in the most optimal way. It will take extra energy and will slow your scooter down. Along with the scooter slowing down, your battery will die quickly and shorten your range.
- Do not drain the battery completely. Letting the scooter battery drain completely will add extra wear and tear to your battery life, leading to your range becoming shorter and shorter over time.
- Upgrade the battery. Just like stated previously, upgrading your battery will add extra distance to your scooter’s range. However, it is important that the upgraded battery is compatible with your scooter.
- Add an extra battery. If you add an extra battery, you will be able to go farther by bringing more energy to your scooter. It will almost add double the range if needed.
There are a couple of other ways to upgrade your scooter’s range by playing with your scooter’s hardware. This may be rewinding the motor and reducing the weight of the scooter itself.
Rewinding the motor
If you have an older scooter, you can find a scooter shop that may be able to rewind the motor for you. Rewinding the motor will give your scooter a complete reset on the entire scooter. It will increase the range and the battery life.
It is a complicated procedure that you can do yourself if you want to. However, if you want to do it yourself, it will take quite a bit of time and knowledge of your scooter.
Reducing the weight of the scooter
If you decide to reduce the weight of the scooter, it will become a little more energy-efficient, light, and increase its range. This is done by removing certain parts that you may not deem necessary.
However, reducing the weight of the scooter comes with safety issues and could likely void your scooter’s warranty. While you might want to be handy and make your scooter more efficient for you, reducing the weight of the scooter yourself may be too much of a future hassle.
Conclusion
Mobility scooters are a great way to maintain independence for the elderly and disabled. However, it is known that they at times have limitations when it comes to their range, speed, and battery life.
It is important to make sure you are able to reduce the weight of your scooter as much as possible, along with checking your tire pressure and breaks. You can also upgrade the battery if you deem it to be necessary. It is important to make sure the battery is compatible with your scooter.
As long as your scooter is treated correctly throughout its lifespan, your scooter’s range should be at its peak and optimal for use.
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