When it comes to electric scooters, you may be tempted to throw caution to the wind and ride in the rain. As appealing as this may sound, we must remember that water and electronics don’t pair well together.
An electric scooter should not be ridden in wet or harsh weather. It is not safe because electric scooters are water-resistant, not waterproof. However, if you must, take precautions like riding slow and steady, cleaning your scooter, and waterproofing your scooter with silicone.
There are circumstances, however, when it is safe to ride in the rain. This is entirely dependent on the intensity of rain and the type of electrical system. This quick and precise electric scooter safety guide covers all you need to know about riding in the rain, as well as recommendations for riding safely.
Are Electric Scooters Waterproof?
This is an ultimate question, especially if you live in an area where it rains frequently. Even scooters with excellent water protection are only water-resistant. Most of them can handle riding in some rain or snow and will not be damaged, but bear in mind that they are not waterproof.
Since electric scooters are often susceptible to water damage, this harm is never covered by electric scooter warranty policies. When people say “waterproof,” they usually mean that the scooter is super resistant to water damage or will not be damaged if you ride on a rainy day. But no electric scooter currently on the market meets the requirements of waterproof.
Generally, each electric scooter has an IP rating that indicates how resistant it is to water. It’s represented by two digits between 0 (or X) and 9, with the second digit indicating the water resistance. The greater the number, the more secure the system is.
For an item to be completely waterproof, the second digit in the IP rating must be at least a 7. A 7 usually means that the device can be submerged in a pool of about-three-foot-deep water for approximately 30 minutes and still function normally.
Unfortunately, there is no current electric scooter that has that 7 rating. At present, the EMove Cruiser is the only electric scooter with an IPX6 rating in the market.
Can You Ride an Electric Scooter in the Rain?
So, can you use an electric scooter if it rains? This depends majorly on the type of rain and what kind of electric scooter is being used. There may be occasions when it is more dangerous than normal to do so.
Certain regions are simply rainier than others, and due to their weather conditions these places are rarely optimal for riding. But, electric scooters which have an ingress protection rating of IP54 or higher will be able to withstand some moisture.
Even though most manuals and manufacturers explicitly advise against riding an electric scooter in the rain, it is still done by some riders. According to reviews and posts, only a handful of people have reported about their scooter breaking down due to rain. However, we must understand that it does have dangers to it.
When riding in the rain, the risk of electric shock is lessened because scooters have rubberized decks and handlebars. Moisture, on the other hand, can render the scooter permanently useless. While a light drizzle is unlikely to hurt you, riding in a severe downpour can be dangerous.
Even if your scooter has a high IP rating, it does not assist with visibility, which makes it more difficult for riders to see ahead and increasing the risk of an accident. An electric scooter with a rating of IP54 and above is suitable for riding in light rain and on dusty terrain and can withstand most commuting conditions..
The Most Water-Resistant E-Scooters
There are several other options when wanting to buy the best waterproofing and IP rating electric scooters. The top four of these amazing scooters are listed below.
This scooter is available for about $300. It is the greatest water-resistant scooter in the market with the highest IP rating available for electric scooters (IPX6).
- Xiaomi M365
With an IP54 rating and a price tag of $500, Xiaomi M365 is one of the top-rated scooters in the market.
For less than $800, you can have an IP54-rated scooter with a range of up to 40 miles.
- Apollo City
Spending just $1000 can get you a well-built Apollo City waterproof scooter with an IPX5 rating.
Tips for Riding Your Electric Scooter in the Rain
While riding in the rain is not encouraged, there may be instances in which you simply have no other choice and must ride through some rain (like getting stuck at work with your scooter on a rainy day or riding back after running some errands late at night).
Since we can’t control the weather, we’ll go over three safety tips for riding an electric scooter in the rain. Remember that riding safely should always be our number one priority.
Waterproof Your Scooter
Although most scooters can be ridden in the rain, water vapor may enter them, posing a short circuit risk for many scooters with poor IP ratings.
In this case, steps must be taken to improve the scooter’s waterproofing qualities, ensuring that the battery and other electronic components are protected.
A scooter’s motherboard and battery are housed in the base, and if one of them is destroyed, it could result in a pricey repair. Simply acquire silicone dashboard covers and waterproofing services from service providers.
This is a simple yet practical tip to improve the scooters’ water resistance. This can assist in preventing water from getting into the scooter’s base and encourages safe riding.
Clean Your Scooter After You Ride
All that mud and water isn’t kind to any vehicle, so keep your electric scooter clean. This includes cleaning it as well as ensuring it is completely dry to avoid long-term issues like rust and short circuits.
If corrosion is your concern, you may apply rust-prevention sprays to prevent it from corroding. By keeping it squeaky clean, its service life may also be extended.
Ride Slow and Steady
When riding an electric scooter on slippery, wet roads rather than dry asphalt, many of the same precautions as when driving a car in the rain apply. One useful tip for riding on wet pavements or roads is to travel slower than usual.
This is the same case as when you brake too soon. In addition, on rainy days the road is wet and sloppy, impairing visibility.
Maintaining a slow riding speed allows you to better grasp and respond to the electric scooter. If your scooter slips on a wet track, the odds of you getting hurt are slim, and you may be able to regain control of your scooter quickly.
Riding slowly can also imply that you are riding defensively. To put it another way, pay attention to other cars and people on the road to avoid risk.