Today, electric scooters or electric mopeds are just as powerful as their gasoline-powered counterparts, with the added advantage of being virtually silent, clean machines that can plug into a standard electrical socket to recharge. Typically, a charge will give you enough juice to travel 20-60 miles, depending on the scooter and battery system. Most scooter comes with lead-acid or nickle-metal hybrid (NiMH) batteries, but they can usually be upgraded to the more expensive lithium-ion batteries, which are lighter and last longer. A scooter’s top speed is usually limited or “governed” to 25-28 mph in the U.S. in order to be classified as a “moped”.

In terms of price, basic electric scooters start at $350, and even at this price level you can find a good electric scooter that will serve you well for neighborhood trips. At the high end, $11,000 will buy you the Vectrix (pictured above) which is really an electric motorcycle  — it has top speed of 62 mpg and range of about 60 miles (see more information below).

Let’s start by taking a look at electric scooters that are available for under $1000:

I-Zip 650

Currie Technologies makes an range of electric scooters branded as I-Zip or E-Zip. These are my favorite sub-$1000 brand of scooters. They have a decent build quality, and they can offer you enjoyable trouble-free travel for years. The I-Zip 650 (pictured above) features both a deck for standing and a removable seat for comfort on longer rides. When you need to go a farther distance than a comfortable walk, the I-Zip 650 will get you there and back quickly thanks to its 12-mile range (depending on rider weight) and top speed of 15 MPH.

The I-Zip 650 Electric Scooter is vailable from Amazon for around $350.

E-Zip Trailz 2008

OK, this isn’t a scooter per se, it’s an electric bike. But it will take you as far as a comparable scooter, plus you can pedal it like a bike to help the motor along. I’ve been testing the E-Zip 2008 Trailz bike (pictured above). I’ve found that the range of a fully-charged battery is about 10 miles — that’s if you make liberal use of the electric assist. If you just use it to go up hills, the charge will last for about 20 miles. The battery detaches so that you can charge at a cafe or an office. You can also add a second battery for $120 from Currie Technologies, that will double your range (but it will also increase the bike’s weight).

If you use this bike for a commute that is 20 miles or less, you could definitely arrive at the office without breaking a sweat. I was pleased by the power of the motor. It was easy to achieve speeds of 25 mph while pedaling lightly.

The E-Zip Trailz Bike available from Amazon for $399. The women’s version of this bike is available here.

I-Zip EZgo

Here’s a folding electric bike that can be used as a scooter: the I-Zip EZgo. You can ride it without pedaling for about 10 miles, or you let the motor assist you with pedaling, and go for 18 to 25 miles with speeds up to 18 mph. The I-ZIP EZGo weighs 53 pounds, including the motor.

The bike’s ability to fold makes for easy storage. The EZgo has a simple twist throttle with a battery gauge. The wheels are 16″ heavy duty alloy with stainless steel spokes. The bike includes an integrated rear carrier for storage.

It’s available from Amazon for $649. The bike’s home page is here.

eGo Electric Scooter

The eGo is a stylish, electric scooter, that is well-liked by its owners. It’s built on an anodized aluminum monocoque chassis, and some that bicycle-like design features.

The eGo has a range of 20-25 miles, with a top speed of 23 mph. Twising the throttle will engage either of two operating modes (”Go Far” and “Go Fast”), letting you tailor your ride for either greater distance range or maximum speed.

<!–
ctxt_ad_partner = “7158358790″;
ctxt_ad_section = “68486″;
ctxt_ad_bg = “”;
ctxt_ad_width = 468;
ctxt_ad_height = 60;
ctxt_ad_bc = “FFFFFF”;
ctxt_ad_cc = “FFFFFF”;
ctxt_ad_lc = “007A0B”;
ctxt_ad_tc = “333333″;
ctxt_ad_uc = “999999″;
// –>

The eGo’s regenerative braking system captures your momentum as you ride, charging the battery. The built-in 5-amp charger plugs into any standard AC outlet for an 80% recharge in just 3 hours – and a full recharge from empty in 4 to 6 hours.

A built-in rear rack holds briefcases, picnic baskets and extra gear; optional folding rear baskets each hold a full bag of groceries; and optional front basket converts to shopping basket; optional cargo trailer attaches in a snap, folds flat for storage, can haul additional 100 lbs., and keeps brake light visible.

There are three models of the eGo: a classic model which sells for about $1400, and a LX model which has more accessories for about $1900, and a limited “special edition” LX model that features alloy wheels for $2000.

Available from for around $1400.

Zapino Electric Scooter

Just about everyone seems to like the Zapino electric scooter by ZAP. Owners like its performance and its well thought-out design (see reports here, here and here). Strangely, ZAP has not marketed the Zapino much. It has a powerful 3000-watt brushless DC hub motor, which, according to ZAP, makes it the most powerful scooter in its class. It has a maximum speed of 40 mph, and its range is “up to 30 miles per charge”.

The hub motor in the rear wheel creates more room on-board for additional batteries. According to ZAP this eliminates the need for belts, or chains, resulting in a more enjoyable ride with less vibration and noise, and a smoother acceleration while reducing overall maintenance.

The Zapino comes with silicon gel batteries, but it will soon be possible to extend the range of the Zapino to 65 miles per charge, with an optional 60V 40AH lithium-ion battery.

The Zapino sells for about $3000.

Available directly from ZAP.

EVT America R20 Scooter

The EVT R20 electric scooter has been widely sold in the U.S. for about a decade. It can travel 30-45 miles on a charge, and it has a top speed of 45 mph. It’s powered by a 2500 Watt brushless 60V motor (more powerful than the 1500W model in the original EVT-4000e). It can seat two riders, and it sells for $2500.

Bravo EVT 168 Electric Moped Scooter

A great looking scooter, the classically styled EVT 168 was introduced last year by EVT America. It has a 1500-Watts 48-Volt Brush Hub Motor.

It has a top speed of 30 miles and hour, and can go 25 to 35 Miles (42 to 58 Km) without recharging. In case you are wondering, it comes in a range of colors (not just purple).

The EVT 168 is available from OverStock for $2999 including shipping.

The Vectrix Electric Scooter

The Vectrix is a 100% electric vehicle which is more like an motorcycle than a scooter. The Vectrix goes 62 mph, has a claimed range of 68 miles, and it accelerates faster than most cars at the stoplight. The Vectrix is powered by a low-mounted, 3.7 kilowatt NiMH battery pack that recharges to 80 or 90 percent of capacity in two hours. Three hours is usually enough for a full charge, four if you start from flat empty.

The V is For Voltage forum for the Vectrix is here.

The Vectrix sells for about $11,000.

Update August 2008: The price has reduced to a much more reasonable $8,795 for the 2007 model, and $9,395 for the slightly improved 2008 version. They hope to launch a more modest $5,000 bike in 2009 featuring a “next-gen” NiMH battery that should boost the range by ten miles for a total of 70.

See our full review of this scooter for more details.

Available from these dealers.

e-Moto Electric Scooter

The e-Moto Classic is a reto-styled scooter with a range of “up to 50 miles” and a governed top speed of 28 miles. The e-Moto Classic run on a 2000 watt motor, powered by a 48-volt silicon battery pack.

The e-Moto Classic sells for about $3000. A similar moped, the e-Moto Retro sells for about $2200.

Available from NeoScooters.

Skeuter Condor Electric Scooters

The Condor is an attractive, retro-styled scooter by a California distributor called Skeuter. It has a 1500W electric motor that is powered by a 48V Sealed Lead Acid battery pack or an optional lithium ion battery pack, It can be charged from a 110V or 220V outlet in about 6 hours using the 3 amp charger and range is quoted as 40 miles although I would expect more like 15 miles in real world riding. The Condor includes front disk brakes and rear drum brakes. It seat two people.

The Skeuter web site gets my Award for the Ugliest Web Site of The Year.

A commenter below points out an upgraded version of the Skeuter Condor is available here.

Source: http://www.metaefficient.com/electric-bikes/the-best-electric-scooters-of-2008-a-review.html

Available from these dealers.