Electric Scooter Buyer's Guide
Maybe you're a scooter owner who’s looking for a fun new way of travelling. Or maybe you just like the idea of being propelled along by a battery and motor without having to do the hard work. Whatever your situation, an electric scooter, or e-scooter, will be right up your street and here’s our guide to choosing the right one.
Why buy an electric scooter?
Electric scooters are a swift, stylish and environmentally-responsible mode of transport. They're simple to use, you don't need any experience and the onboard motor means they don't require the same effort as a traditional scooter or electric bike. Perfect for people who want to have fun without feeling the effects the following day!
*Images of electric scooter riders were taken on private land in full compliance with all legal requirements.
General care tips
Keeping the scooter itself in good condition will help it to last longer, so give it a good clean regularly (remove the battery before getting water anywhere near the scooter and always read the instruction manual first).
A great way to prevent punctures in your air-filled tyres is to use some slime. This is one of the electric scooter repair services we offer, alongside inner tube replacement if you do find yourself with a puncture. Both jobs can be fiddly, so let us do the hard work for you.
To book an inner tube fitting, just find the right inner tube to fit your electric scooter on Halfords.com and select “inner tube or tyre fit” when adding to your basket, or pop into your local store and speak to a colleague. While you’re having the tube replaced, ask about our slime service for extra protection.
How to puncture protect your scooter tyres
Battery care tips
To maximise battery performance, try to charge and store your battery indoors and at room temperature. Also, disconnect the battery if you’re not going to be using the scooter for a while as letting the battery drain while connected can cause damage.
For further info about how to look after your electric scooter, check out our Electric Scooter Maintenance Guide or our handy battery FAQ guide here
How to choose the right scooter
There are a range of different electric scooters to choose from. Here are the key factors that you should consider when you're searching for the right scooter for you.
1. Price
You can expect to pay a little more for an electric scooter than a conventional push one, although you can still pick up a decent electric scooter without breaking the bank. The price ultimately depends on what level of features you're looking for. A scooter with a bigger battery, more powerful motor and extra features will set you back more than a lower spec model with less power and basic features.
2. Range
The capacity of your scooter's battery is the main influence on the range you're able to achieve. However, other factors like the type of journey, the conditions, and the weight of the rider will all play a part too.
If you’re only going to be making short journeys on surfaces with few inclines, then a smaller and more cost-effective battery may meet your requirements. On the other hand, if your route includes a lot of hills, or you plan on travelling longer distances without the need recharge, then it may be worth investing in a larger battery.
Whatever you choose, keep in mind that only using the throttle in short bursts and using a slower speed mode (most scooters offer different modes) will generally allow you to travel further on a single battery charge.
3. Motor power
If you want to zip along and tackle hills with ease, then go for an electric scooter with a powerful motor. The higher a motor's wattage, the more power it can produce to accelerate the scooter along. If you know you're going to be regularly tackling hills, then we'd recommend choosing a scooter with a 350w motor as a minimum.
4. Weight
If you’re going to be carrying your scooter for any length of time, then it's worth taking the weight into consideration. Some models are more lightweight and easier to fold than others, making them more suited for transporting and storing.
5. Suspension, brakes and tyres
Just like choosing a standard or electric bike, choosing an electric scooter should involve checking over the specs; make sure that the suspension, brakes, and tyres will suit your needs and your average ride.
A good suspension system is a great extra feature that will help to smooth out your ride, especially on bumpier journeys. If you're likely to be riding on rougher terrain, a scooter with suspension is well worth considering.
Tyre type is also important to think about: the main two are air filled (or pneumatic) and solid tyres. Pneumatic tyres provide a smoother ride as they help to absorb bumps in the road, however they bring the risk of punctures. Solid tyres, on the other hand, are low maintenance since they won’t puncture, but you won't get the same level of shock absorption or ride comfort.
Brakes are essential for using an electric scooter safely. Mechanical brakes like disc and drum brakes are excellent at providing safe and reliable stopping, but they will wear down over time, so it's important to keep an eye on them to keep them in working order. Electronic brakes are another popular type of brake on electric scooters, usually engaged by a push button or lever.
LEGAL WARNING: It is illegal to use an e-scooter on a public road, pavement, cycle lane or bridleway. E-scooters should only be ridden on private land with the permission of the landowner.
Top electric scooter brands at Halfords
Carrera
Carrera impel is-1 2.0
Carrera have built on the design of the impel is-1 and (incredibly!) made it better with the Carrera impel is-1 2.0. In a case of ‘if it isn’t broke, don't fix it’, much of the original design remains. Instead, Carrera have focussed on a couple of improvements that boost the rider experience.
Starting with new anti-puncture pneumatic tyres. Reducing the risk of punctures, they’re a great addition which give that added peace of mind that a flat tyre won’t end your ride.
Adding to this, the impel is-1 2.0 also has a new cruise control system. If you ride at the same speed for 6 seconds, this cruise control automatically kicks in. It’s then deactivated when you press the throttle or pull the brakes. Having cruise control simplifies the ride experience as you don’t need to hold the throttle throughout your ride.
Carrera Impel is-2 2.0
The Carrera Impel IS-2 2.0 is a smart, versatile e-scooter built for everyday riders who want convenience without compromising on performance. With a powerful 350W motor and a top speed of up to 15.5mph, it’s perfect for commuting or short urban journeys. The upgraded 2.0 version offers improved range and enhanced stability, while the built-in LCD display, integrated lights, and puncture-resistant tyres make it a reliable, road-ready choice. Whether you're heading to work or exploring your local area, the IS-2 2.0 delivers smooth, confident rides every time.
Indi
Indi EX-1 Electric Scooter
From their high-quality bikes to their market-leading e-scooters, every Indi product is designed with style and performance in mind. And all this knowhow has been filtered into the urban-ready Indi EX-1 Electric Scooter.
Lightweight and convenient, it weighs in at only 13kg. Combined with the quick-folding mechanism, you can easily fold the scooter and carry it wherever you need to go.
This light weight doesn’t come at the cost of power, and the 250W motor will easily conquer hills up to 13% - steep gradients that most e-scooters would struggle with.
And just as importantly, the e-scooter looks great too, with a neat, urban-inspired design.
Shop the Indi EX-1 Electric Scooter
Indi EX-2 Electric Scooter
Few e-scooters can match the Indi EX-2 for looks. Available in two colourways (neo chrome or black), it’s sleek, urban-inspired design will garner some envious looks as you ride.
Offering an upgraded range from the Indi EX-1, you can enjoy rides of up to 18 miles. And for every one of those miles, you’ll get to enjoy the Indi’s great ride quality and impressive power.
This includes a powerful 350W motor which can conquer gradients up to 15%. Powerful front drum and rear electric brakes ensure you’ll always come to a safe stop and the scooter even has an IPX5 waterproof rating.
Shop the Indi EX-2 Electric Scooter
Pure
Pure x McLaren Electric Scooter
The Pure x McLaren Papaya Special Edition Electric Scooter merges McLaren’s iconic papaya-orange livery with Pure’s cutting-edge design for a ride that’s as stylish as it is capable. Crafted with a forward-facing stance and folding handlebars, it’s 70% slimmer than typical e-scooters for effortless storage.
Powered by a robust 500 W motor (peaking at 900 W), it delivers rapid acceleration and hill-climbing strength, while offering up to a 31mile range on a single charge. Built for confidence in any condition, it features Active Steering Stabilisation for enhanced control, IP65 weatherproofing, bright LED lighting, and 10″ puncture-resistant tyres, combining McLaren pedigree with Pure’s innovation for urban rides that stand apart.
Shop Pure McLaren Electric Scooter
Pure Advance Flex Platinum Silver Electric Scooter
The Pure Advance Flex Electric Scooter in Platinum Silver is built for life on the move, with a sleek side-riding design and full folding frame for unbeatable portability. It folds down into a compact shape perfect for tight storage spaces at home, work or on public transport. A powerful 500W motor delivers confident performance on hills, while up to 24.8 miles of range keeps you going through daily commutes. With Active Steering Stabilisation, puncture-resistant tyres and IP65 water resistance, the Advance Flex is engineered for safe, smooth riding in all weather. It’s the smart, space-saving way to take on the city.
Electric scooter accessories
Just like bikes and normal scooters, staying safe while riding is critical. A helmet is an absolute must, especially if the scooter you’re looking at can reach higher speeds. Normal bike helmets are better than nothing, but you can buy scooter-specific helmets in various designs, handy for picky teenagers who factor in style as well as safety.
An electric scooter is a significant investment, which makes it all the more essential to keep your scooter safe when you’re out and about. There are a range of scooter-suitable D locks and cable locks available, many of which are rated Sold Secure Gold or Silver.
Why not enhance your e-scooter experience with must-have accessories?
Starting with a carry strap. A carry strap is a useful addition as it’ll make it easier to carry your e-scooter.
Phone mounts are also a great option as they keep your phone easily accessible so you can stay connected as you ride.
And don’t forget a bottle mount so you have somewhere to store a drink and keep refreshed.
Shop Electric Scooter Accessories
Electric scooter maintenance
Electric scooter care plan
Just like normal scooters, electric scooters will need some TLC – especially when it comes to the battery and motor.
To keep your scooter in top condition, why not leave the hard work to Halfords? Our in-store electric scooter experts have the tools and knowledge to repair and maintain all types of scooter, so you can focus on whizzing along safe in the knowledge that your scooter is performing at its best.
Our annual E-ScooterCare plan is a great way to ensure that your electric scooter remains in tip-top shape. This great value service bundle includes:
- Puncture protection service
- Puncture repair and inner tube replacement fitting service
- Unlimited brake adjustments
- 10% off e-scooter parts and accessories
- Free accessory and parts fitting
- Unlimited free safety checks
- Tyre inflation and pressure checks
Electric scooters and the law
It's currently illegal to ride a privately owned e-scooter on a public road, pavement, cycle lane or bridleway. Privately owned e-scooters can only be ridden on private land with the permission on the landowner. Customers should be aware that if they use a private e-scooter illegally, they could face a fine and penalty points on their licence, and the e-scooter could be impounded by the police. To find out more about the laws around electric scooters, check out our advice article.
Electric scooters and the law
It's currently illegal to ride a privately owned e-scooter on a public road, pavement, cycle lane or bridleway. Privately owned e-scooters can only be ridden on private land with the permission on the landowner. Customers should be aware that if they use a private e-scooter illegally, they could face a fine and penalty points on their licence, and the e-scooter could be impounded by the police. To find out more about the laws around electric scooters, check out our advice article.