How Much Electricity Is Used to Charge an Electric Scooter?

Introduction

We're all aware of the rising levels of carbon emissions in the environment and the need to arrest this trend. Our daily commutes have been the biggest contributing factor in increasing the carbon footprint in nature. This is where electric scooters come to the picture and provide one of the sustainable solutions to this problem.. They are not just environmentally friendly but cost-effective, too.

Now you're probably curious about the electricity cost for electric scooters. We’ll share in-depth insights into the charging cost and discuss how beneficial electric scooters are compared to the petrol scooters.

How easy is it to charge an electric scooter?

Charging an electric scooter at home is quite convenient. Many electric scooters come with chargers that can be connected to any standard power outlet at home. All Ather Scooters- 450 series and Rizta, can be charged with standard power outlets. Infact, you can charge them anywhere: at a public charging station, in your garage, in the parking lot of your apartment, outside a cafe or anywhere else where you are allowed to. These models come with the benefit of both portable and fixed chargers.

Ather electric scooters are built for convenience. You can charge them at charging stations in offices, residential areas, and markets. You can fix the Ather Duo charger at home or carry it along the road. You can charge your Ather scooter with any standard 6A 3-pin socket. With a robust network of Ather Grid charging points across various locations like malls, offices, and cafes, you’re always close to a charging solution. The public fast charger provides up to 15 km of range in just 10 minutes. So, keep your scooter powered and ready to move anytime, anywhere!

Electricity usage of an electric scooter compared to other vehicles

Various factors influence the expense of charging an electric scooter at home.

When it comes to powering up your electric scooter, a few things come into play. First, it’s all about your local electricity rates. These can vary. So, it’s a good idea to check your bill or contact your provider for the exact kWh cost.

Then, consider your electric scooter's battery capacity—it’s like the fuel tank in a petrol vehicle. Electric scooters typically have various battery capacities, measured in watt-hours (Wh) or ampere-hours (Ah). The higher the battery's capacity, the more electricity it will take to charge. Therefore, charging electric vehicles, especially e-scooters, sometimes generates concerns about the increased expense of one's power bill.

But here’s the good news: even with a higher battery capacity, the electric scooter charging cost  is way lower than what you’d spend on fuel for a petrol scooter. The electric scooter charging power consumption is extremely low. Even if you charge your EV scooter overnight, the extra power consumption cost is much less

With advancements in EV technology, charging efficiency has come a long way. Many scooters now offer smart charging options, making them even more economical, especially for those longer trips.

If you’re curious about the cost of charging of electric scooter at your place, there’s a handy formula you can use to figure it out.

To calculate the monthly charging cost for an Ather 450X with a 3.7 kWh battery, let’s assume an average usage of ~33 kms per day and consequently, 1,000 kms per month. Given that the Ather 450X consumes about 30 Wh/km, the monthly electricity usage would be:

Monthly kWh Usage = 1,000 km x 0.03 kWh/km = 30 kWh

If the local electricity rate is ₹7/kWh, then the monthly cost would be:

Monthly Charging Cost: 30 kWh x ₹7/kWh = ₹210

Whereas the most fuel efficient petrol scooters give you a mileage of 40km/L. Assuming an average petrol cost of ₹100/L, your monthly fuel cost with a petrol scooter would be ₹2500 as compared to just ₹210 with an electric scooter.

If you are interested in learning about model-specific charging costs, simply click here!

How to Reduce Electric Scooter Charging Expenses?

If you are worried about these expenses, there are ways to save your electricity cost for electric scooters. Try out the following methods to reduce the cost of charging an electric scooter.

• Cooling Down Time: Allow your electric scooter to cool for 15 to 20 minutes after use before charging it. This extends the life of the battery and prevents damage.
• Use the original charger: Any charger other than the one provided by the OEM might seriously harm the battery. It is always best to make use of the original charger.
• Proper Planning: Plan your trips to maximize your range. Effective planning of your routes can help you skip recharging in the middle of the trip, lowering overall charging expenses. However, to get you covered for charging needs mid-way the trip, Ather has a wide network of over 2500 fast-charging grids. These rapid chargers are also easily accessible via the Ather App on your mobile device.
• Follow the Guidelines: Your electric scooter comes with a comprehensive user handbook explaining how to care for the battery. Religiously follow it to maintain your battery capacity and charging effectiveness.

E-scooters are the future of mobility. They are a great solution for clean energy and building a better environment. Despite everything, it is natural to worry about your electric scooter charging cost. If you know how to calculate this cost and understand the tricks to save on the obvious charging expenses, your rides will become even more cost-effective and bring you peace of mind.

So, keep this guide handy and enjoy the journey!