YES

E scooters are legal in NZ.

Although regulations on E-scooter use are a but confusing. E-scooters under 600w are exempt from being classed as a motor vehicle and can be ridden on the road without registration. E-scooter riders in NZ are covered by the cycling code of conduct which includes how to ride safely on the road.
All E-scooters may be ridden on the footpath and shared pathways. The road user act 2004 applies and riders must be considerate of pedestrians and ride at a safe speed. Police do prosecute dangerous and irresponsible behaviour, but do not prevent users operating their vehicles in a safe and responsible manner. Large e-scooters are sold for off-road use. The onus is on the user to comply with the law.
Although the laws for E-scooters are not widely enforced, users must be aware of their legal obligations.

Can I ride an E-scooter on the road?

Electric scooters under 600w can be ridden on the road and along with other scooters, on footpaths and on shared pathways. Users must obey the road rules and council by laws in place in their location. Technically, e-scooters should not be in dedicated cycle lanes as these are reserved for bikes, however common usage does apply and e-scooters are commonly seen in cycle lanes.
Large power electric scooters are sold as off road vehicles and these should be ridden only on private land. However, in practice, this is an arbitrary classification and if users are riding in a safe and responsible manner large e-scooters can be ridden like any other scooter.

Do I need a driver's Licence?

You do not need a licence to ride an electric scooter in NZ. E-scooters in NZ are regarded as being in a similar category to bikes and e bikes and a drivers licence is not required. Electric mopeds or electric motorbikes, require a driver's licence if they are speed limited to 50km/h. For electric motorbikes that travel faster than 50km/h you do need a Driver's Licence and you may also need a motorbike licence.

You should always wear a helmet

There is no law that requires e scooter riders to wear a helmet when riding an electric scooter in NZ. There may be council by laws that make it a requirement in some areas. However, you should always wear e helmet when riding your scooter. At Freed we suggest a cycle helmet as a minimum. A full face helmet is preferable and may well save your face or even your life in the unlikely event you have and incident.

Yes you can

Trains allow all scooters as do ferries. Bus drivers will allow an electric scooter if it is not oversized and if it is folded. Unfortunately for our biggest city Auckland Transport has not yet issued a clear policy publicly. As a result driver’s have been known to refuse to take people with larger scooters. We have never heard of light weight scooters being refused and Freed stock a good range of electric scooters that fold really well, especially for the bus, including the Zero 10 and Blade Q both of which have excellent pulling power for adults. Trains have no restrictions on e scooter size and ferries limit e-scooters to staying outdoors so it is possible this area could fill up. Generally compact electric scooters are the best option for public transport as they are similar dimensions to sports bag and are easily carried or stowed in the luggage rack.

Range and lifespan

The range of the battery depends on how you ride. Speed, acceleration, stopping and starting and hills also affect range. A hilly ride or a fast ride will use battery up to 2.5 times faster than a moderate ride. We recommend a battery that will give you your desired trip distance plus at least 30% - 40%.

As your battery ages range will gradually decline. Sudden changes indicate a problem and should be addressed immediately. Good battery care will make it last longer and lots of people enjoy many thousands of kilometers on a battery. Some battery repairs are now available that make it last even longer.

Yes. Most punctures are 100% avoidable.

Keep your tyres at the correct pressure. Riding at low tyre pressure damages the inside of the tyre and causes punctures. Once this damage has started you need to throw the tyre away, even if it still has plenty of tread.
Use tyre liners. Lots of riders use their old tubes to line their tyres. This adds another layer between the tyre and the new tube and helps prevent punctures from small objects, and reduces friction from the tyre inner.
Purchase tyres with gel lining where available.
Solid tyres never puncture. also known as 'run flats' solid tyres eliminate all risk of punctures. However, there are other risks to solid tyres as they have less traction. You will need to be careful on corners and on wet surfaces. Solid tyres increase wear and tear from vibration so ask the experts if a solid tyre is right for you.

Commuting from 1c per km

E-scooters cost very little to run. The electricity for a 36 volt scooter costs around 1 cent per kilometer. A 48 volt scooter costs around 4c per kilometer and a 60 volt scooter costs around 12c per kilometer.
Regular maintenance is required on brakes and tyres and the frequency of this is dependent largely on your riding. If you have lots of hills you will need to change brake pads more frequently. If you ride fast you will also need new tyres more often.
A general service should be taken annually and in between you should take care to check major bolts and parts regularly. Fastening bolts can work loose over time with vibration, so check and re-tighten as needed

Portability, terrain, and distance.

There are three main things to consider. Do you need to carry it, do you need to go up hills, and how far do you need to travel on a single charge.
If you need to carry the scooter or take it on public transport you will need a scooter that is lightweight and compact. As the battery is the heaviest component, a light weight scooter will have a shorter range. Freed stock compact scooters from 11 kg with a range of around 20 km as a minimum, and 26 kg with a range of around 35km which is still bus and hill friendly.
If you need to travel long distance, you may need to spend more as the battery is the single most expensive element in a scooter. Consider a lower voltage scooter as the same battery will last longer in a lower voltage scooter
If you need to travel fast or have hilly terrain you will need a dual motor e-scooter. These start from just $1499.
Freed offer expert advice. We fit you to the best scooter for your needs. Pop in for a test ride any time.