Do Electric Scooters Have Resale Value?

If you’re getting a bit tired of your electric scooter, why not resell it and share the joy of riding with others? You could even use the money from the resale to buy yourself a newer model! However, the resale value of your electric scooter largely depends on its condition. Providing proper care and maintenance to your e-scooter can go a long way in increasing its resale value.

E-scooters have a resale value of approximately 60% to 70% of their retail price after a year or about 600 miles of use. The resale value can vary widely depending on the model and condition. You can increase the resale value by cleaning and servicing it regularly and storing it indoors.  

There are several factors that affect the resale value of an electric scooter. Along with your e-scooter’s overall condition, you should also factor in its original price, mileage, and the cost of owning and servicing it. These factors will help you determine the price you’d like to get for your used scooter before you go to sell it.

How Long Do Electric Scooters Last?

The average life of privately owned electric scooters and those used for ridesharing varies significantly, so it’s important to distinguish between the two when discussing their lifespan.

Rideshare electric scooters generally last for around 1 to 5 months. On the other hand, properly maintained privately owned electric scooters have an average lifespan of at least 2 to 3 years.

In fact, one of the most popular e-scooters, the Segway Ninebot E22 (on Amazon), has been on the market for more several years, and there still haven’t been more than a few reports of people reselling it.

This vast difference is mainly because of the fact that privately owned e-scooters are not used as much as the rideshare ones, so they have a much longer lifespan.

It’s important to note that private owners are usually much more careful when using their scooters, further increasing their service life.

How Do I Increase the Lifespan of My Electric Scooter?

Electric scooters are not waterproof, so it’s important to keep them away from water as much as possible. Even if your e-scooter is rated IP54 (somewhat water resistant), water can still damage its electrical components. It can destroy the scooter’s brakes, wheel bearings, and electric motor.

You can increase the lifespan of your electric scooter by limiting its exposure to dust. Tiny dust particles can settle into the smallest nooks and crannies, causing irrevocable damage to the electric motor.

It’s also essential to avoid riding the scooter in extreme temperatures. High temperatures can easily damage lithium-ion batteries, while lower temperatures force the electric motor to work harder.

Properly parking your scooter in a safe area helps extend its life as well. Try to avoid parking the e-scooter on busy streets and sidewalks, as they have a tendency to fall onto the hard concrete, significantly decreasing their lifespan.

The best way to increase the lifespan of your electric scooter is to provide it with proper care and maintenance. Potholes, curbs, rocks, and excess weight all result in a shorter lifespan and should also be avoided when possible.

The Cost of Owning an Electric Scooter

While an electric scooter is much cheaper than other modes of transportation, such as motorcycles or cars, you should still consider its costs. There are four main costs of owning an e-scooter:

1. Cost of the scooter itself: This is the most obvious cost, and it varies significantly depending on the model you purchase. Electric scooter prices can range anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to $1,500 or more. It’s advisable to do extensive research, as the price doesn’t always reflect the quality of the e-scooter.
   
   It’s important to consider the included features, read reviews, and choose the model with the price point you’re comfortable with.
   
2. Protective Gear: Although electric scooters are incredibly fun to ride, it’s important to remember that they’re not toys. Self-protection should be your greatest concern whenever you’re using a mode of transportation, and investing in high-quality protective gear is always a wise decision.
   
   It’s best to use elbow pads, knee pads, and a helmet, as electric scooters are designed for fast commuting and can reach speeds of up to 18 miles per hour.
   
   It’s also advisable to get CPSC Certified and ASTM Standard protective gear that protects your head from single high impacts and low force multiple impacts. Consider the certified Banzk Helmet with Elbow Pads and Wrist Guards (on Amazon).
   
3. Electricity for charging the scooter: You’ll need to recharge the battery of your electric scooter as soon as it runs out. Most batteries take around three to five hours to charge fully.
   
   The cost of charging your scooter varies according to your location and it’s advisable to contact your local electric service provider for proper estimation.
   
   No matter the cost, it’s certainly going to be cheaper than a full tank of gas!
   
4. Cost of replacement: Even though electric scooters are much cheaper to operate and purchase than cars or motorcycles, they have a limited life.
   
   You’ll have to replace your scooter after around five years. But with the continuous growth of the electric personal transportation market, you can expect prices to drop even further.

What Is the Resale Value of Electric Scooters?

The resale value of electric scooters primarily depends on two measurable variables: time and the total miles covered. The UScooter Booster (on Amazon), for example, depreciates at around 33.93% after 2,299 miles and 1 year, which means you’ll get around 66% of what you originally paid for.

The model will have an average resale value of 68% of the original cost after 658 miles and one year and a value of 63% of the retail value after 180 miles.  

Similarly, you’ll be able to sell the UScooter Master/ECO at 62% of the original cost after 1,305 miles and 1 year. This model will depreciate at around 26% after 1,666 miles and at around 48% after 1,473 miles.

You’ll be able to get approximately 76% of the retail price for 800 miles and 80% of what you originally paid for if you’ve only traveled around 425 miles on this scooter.

The Myria M465, meanwhile, has an annual depreciation rate of about 25% to 35%, so you’ll be to recover approximately 75% to 65% of the original price after one year.

The list goes on and on, but the most important takeaway from these approximations is that the second-hand price of e-scooters is inversely proportional to the mileage.

Since the battery is the most expensive component of an electric scooter, a higher mileage will always result in a lower resale value.

To conclude, you can resell an average electric scooter for around 60% to 70% of its original price if you’ve used it for a year or for about 600 miles.

However, the maintenance and acquisition costs associated with an e-scooter are much lower than other modes of transportation, such as a car, motorcycle, or petrol scooter, so you’ll still be making a good investment most of the time.