5 things to check before buying an electric scooter

You will ride an electric scooter two or three times a week for two years. That is why catalogue numbers are not enough: you need to know which of them will still hold in December, in the rain, with a bag on the deck.

011. Real range, not brochure range

The advertised 60 km are measured at 20 km/h, tailwind, a 65 kg rider. In practice in Casablanca, with stops and climbs, expect 60 to 70 % of the stated figure. An S1 PRO rated 55 km will give 35 to 40 km in mixed use — plenty for Ain Diab to the centre and back through the week without charging.

The right question is not “how many kilometres”, but “does it cover my week”.

042. Battery capacity, in Wh

Volts and amp-hours mean nothing until you multiply them. 48 V × 13 Ah = 624 Wh is a genuine commuting battery. Below 400 Wh you are buying a neighbourhood toy, not a tool. And check that the battery leaves the frame: replacing a battery costs less than replacing a scooter.

063. Brakes, and their upkeep

Electronic braking alone is not enough at 35 km/h. You want at least a mechanical disc, hydraulic if possible, and pads you can actually buy here. Ask for the pad reference: if the dealer does not know it, that will be next year’s first problem.

084. Parts availability

Tyres, inner tubes, cables, displays, batteries: ask for real lead times. At NOVA RIDE, wear parts are stocked in Casablanca and ship the same day. On an imported model with no network, a simple puncture can park a scooter for three weeks.

105. After-sales, in plain words

Two years of warranty are two sentences in a contract — or a workshop that answers. Ask where repairs happen, what a diagnosis costs, and whether a loaner exists. Precise answers to those three questions say more than a “2 year warranty” badge on a banner.