Renting vs. Buying an Electric Scooter: Which Is the Better Choice?

Rent or buy an electric scooter: which one should I go for? Is this the question that's on your mind right now? As electric scooters become increasingly popular, offering a convenient and affordable alternative to cars and public transportation, it can be challenging to decide whether it's worth it to buy an electric scooter or ride rentals.

Today, we'll take a closer look at the pros and cons of renting vs. buying an electric scooter, as well as some key factors to consider. While renting may seem appealing with its lower upfront costs and flexible options, owning an electric scooter can offer several long-term advantages. From cost savings and convenience to ride quality, there are many reasons why buying your own electric scooter may be the way to go.

So, whether you're a daily commuter looking for a reliable mode of transportation or a student looking for a fun and eco-friendly way to get around campus, this article will provide you with the information you need to make a decision on whether renting or buying an electric scooter is right for you.

Cost Comparison: Renting vs. Buying an Electric Scooter

When you opt to rent an electric scooter, you're essentially paying for the convenience and flexibility of having temporary access to one. However, the expenses associated with renting may accumulate rapidly over time, potentially making it a more costly option in the long run.

While purchasing an electric scooter may appear costly initially, it can prove to be a more economical option long-term. With a one-time payment for the scooter and other accessories, you gain the freedom to ride at your convenience. 

Additionally, owning your own electric scooter means you're not limited by availability or restricted to ride in specific locations. Consequently, if you intend to ride an electric scooter every day for an extended duration, buying one is likely the more cost-effective choice.

Let's take a look at an example using the EMOVE Touring electric scooter. 

Owning the EMOVE Touring vs. Renting an Electric Scooter

Owning an Electric Scooter

The EMOVE Touring is a highly affordable electric scooter that's perfect for day-to-day commuting with minimal upkeep. This scooter is equipped with dual 8” tires, including an air-filled front tire and a solid rear tire. This tire setup eliminates the risk of flats on the rear, allowing for rides without interruption. As a lightweight commuter, it's faster and has longer range than rental scooters. It’s definitely the best pick for beginners or for those on a budget! Of course, part of your cost is electricity. You need to charge the scooter to keep it running, but the amount per year is very low. 

For our electric scooters, it costs between $5 and $35 per year in electricity fees. On average, it costs about $17 per year if you charge the scooter once a week. For example, the Touring costs about $0.09 each time you charge from 0% to 100%. If you purchase an EMOVE Touring for $899, your cost to charge is under $5 per year. Even electric scooters with high-capacity batteries, like the Wolf King GT, only cost about $20 annually to charge.* 

Renting an Electric Scooter

In our video, we demonstrate that the long-term cost for renting a scooter on a daily basis is higher. Oftentimes, the rental rate is based on the ride time. For example, if you want to ride a scooter to and from a train station about 6 minutes away from your workplace, that's 12 minutes of rental time or $6 per day ($3 for each one-way trip). Using 50 weeks as our base, that's $1,500 per year to rent an electric scooter. 

Although you'll pay a large initial sum, it'll cost you less annually to charge than to rent. This means that renting may become a more expensive option in the long run, and owning your own scooter can save you money over time.

*These values are based on electricity costs in the US per kilowatt-hour. Values are provided for comparative demonstration and not as a standard cost projection. All prices mentioned are subject to change at any time and long-term savings depend on scooter model, maintenance, and other factors. 

Convenience of Renting vs. Buying an Electric Scooter

With rental scooters popping up in cities all over the world, you can easily download an app, locate a nearby scooter, and ride whenever you need it. Renting is especially helpful if you have limited storage space or if you're visiting a new city and don't want to worry about transporting your own scooter.

However, it's important to note that finding rental scooters may not always be easy. Some rental providers have docking stations where all scooters are returned, while others can be parked in a designated location for pick up. Some electric scooters may be located in areas that are inconvenient for you to reach or may not be in the best condition. When you have to walk around searching for an electric scooter to rent, you’re adding to your commute time. Additionally, during peak hours, rental companies may run out of scooters or be picking them up to re-charge, leaving you without a ride when you need it most.

On the flip side, if you own your electric scooter, you don't have to worry about finding a rental station or returning it on time. You have the freedom to use it whenever and wherever you want, without any restrictions (aside from local laws)! 

Electric Scooter Maintenance: Rental vs. Ownership

One of the downsides of renting an electric scooter is the condition of the unit itself. Rental scooters are often used by multiple people throughout the day and may not receive proper cleaning or maintenance. This means that the scooter you rent may be dirty and filled with germs from the previous rider or may not have a full battery. Additionally, rental scooters often have worn or damaged parts that could compromise your safety while riding.

When you own your electric scooter, you have full control over its condition and maintenance. You can ensure that it is always clean and well-maintained, which is especially important for hygiene and safety. At VoroMotors, we provide after-sales service such as repairs and servicing to ensure you enjoy your scooter worry-free!

Overall, owning an electric scooter gives you peace of mind when it comes to the quality and condition of your vehicle. You can trust that it is always in good repair and safe to ride, without having to worry about previous riders’ hygiene or poorly maintained rental scooters.

Customize Electric Scooters: Renting vs. Buying

With a personal electric scooter, you have the freedom to modify it with various upgrades to make it truly unique and reflective of your personality. Rental scooters are generic, with no room for customization or personalization. You're limited to the standard features and accessories provided by the rental company.

Adding accessories is a popular way to customize your electric scooter to your preferences. There are many useful scooter accessories available such as storage bags, phone holders, mirrors, and lights to enhance your riding experience. These upgrades not only add convenience but also make your electric scooter safer and more fun to ride.

Electric scooter ownership provides you with a level of personalization that you simply can't get with a rental. The possibilities for customization are endless! This will ultimately make your investment in an electric scooter even more worthwhile.

Comparing Ride Quality: Personal vs. Rental Electric Scooters

Firstly, owning your own electric scooter allows you to select a model that meets your preferences. We carry many great options, which you can select based on your needs and experience riding an adult electric scooter. For example, larger scooters sport huge batteries that work well for fast, long-range riding while smaller scooters are perfect for short rides and to throw in your trunk. When you buy, you should consider various factors, including portability, speed, range, and maximum rider weight to find a model that complements your body type and riding style.

In contrast, rental scooters do not offer the same level of comfort and stability for several reasons. For instance, rental scooters often have smaller, sometimes solid tires, which are very durable but do not offer the smoothest ride. The handlebars may be worn out or damaged from frequent use, making the ride rough and bumpy.

Also, rental scooters are not intended to ride on all types of terrain because they do not have options for suspension, brakes or tires. On the other hand, owning your own electric scooter enables you to select the best tires, suspension and overall electric scooter for your needs, whether you're commuting daily or riding off-road or both!

Conclusion

To sum up, while renting an electric scooter may seem like an attractive option for occasional use, buying your own electric scooter offers numerous benefits in the long run. Not only does owning your own scooter save you money on rental fees, but it also gives you more control over your transportation and allows you to customize your scooter to fit your needs. 

Plus, having a personal electric scooter is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and promote eco-friendly transportation. So, when it comes to renting versus buying an electric scooter, think about the long-term benefits and consider investing in your own scooter. Don't let rental scooters limit your mobility or your bank account, take control of your transportation and enjoy the freedom of owning your personal electric scooter!