Can You Ride Electric Scooters in the Rain?

Ideally, the answer to the question “Can you ride electric scooters in the rain,” should be a resounding “no!” But giving a clear-cut answer doesn’t do justice to the relationship between e-scooters and rain. Depending of the e-scooter and the severity of the rain, there are factors you must consider before you can ride it when it’s raining. In this post, we will highlight those factors and find out if it is safe to ride e-scooters in the rain. 

Can You Generally Ride E-Scooters in the Rain? 

It’s a no-brainer; it’s dangerous to bring water around any electrical appliance. But when you’re riding an electric scooter,  you may get carried away and throw caution to the wind. While some e-scooters are waterproof, others, despite their manufacturer’s claim of water-resistance, may get damaged when you ride them in water. 

So if you’re really bent on finding out if you can ride an e-scooter in the rain, then you need to check a few things. First, what’s the quality and kind of material used to make the scooter, and how heavy is the rain? After considering these, you should also ask: 

-> Will the water seep into the electrical components? 

-> Is this scooter designed to perform optimally in wet conditions? 

What Happens If You Drive E-scooters in the Rain? 

All scooters are not built the same way, so you shouldn’t expect the same result from different products and brands when you drive them in the rain. The effect of rain on your scooter depends on its IP rating. If your scooter has a low IP rating, it is best to keep it away from the rain to avoid water damage. In worst case scenarios, riding scooters with low IP rating under the rain may cause electric shock. 

Another thing that happens when you drive e-scooters in the rain is reduced performance. Even when driving a car in the rain, you may suffer slipperiness and loss of visibility. Because of these, you intuitively drive slowly in the rain. This also applies to driving e-scooters in the rain.

Is It Safe to Drive E-scooters in the Rain?

Despite the IP rating, it is not safe to drive e-scooters in the rain. In truth, it may take a little splash of water here and there without any harm, but it is dangerous to ride your scooter during a heavy rainfall. You should also not let the claim of “water resistance” make you believe that water really can’t get into it, especially if you submerge it in water. 

How to Know If E-scooters Can Get Wet

Over the years, e-scooter manufacturers have reinforced their products to protect the inner electronic components. But even then, the claim of “waterproof” is often just a marketing jargon. That’s why the manual always warns against water damage. So, yes, e-scooters can get wet, but if the moisture gets too much, it becomes a problem. 

The waterproof property of the e-scooter may hold off a little moisture until it drains off, but your scooter may become damaged if water gets into sensitive parts like the battery pack. 

To know if your e-scooter can get wet, check the IP rating and read what the manufactures wrote about its water-resistant property. Also, make sure to dry your scooter with a towel whenever it gets wet.

IP Ratings Explained 

When buying an e-scooter, one of the first things people check is its IP rating. Ingress Protection rating (IP rating) is defined as an international standard that gauges the extent to which an equipment can ward off water and dust without damaging its internal parts. It is important that e-scooter manufacturers clearly state these numbers in their product specification.

Two numbers designate IP ratings. The first number measures the protection level from dust and fine particles, while the second unit connotes moisture protection. The figures start from zero to five (or above). In some brands, the number starts from X instead of zero. A higher figure means a higher protection level. 

 

 

Unfortunately, you won’t find an IP rating on most modern electric scooters. If your scooter has numbers 3 or 2… you can forget about riding it even in wet conditions. The Äike T scooter, for instance, is weatherproof, has IP rating of X5, can be used in freezing temperatures of as low as -17 °C and ridden in snow, puddles, rain and hail. 

Tips on How to Protect Your Scooter from Water 

Nobody wants their precious scooter to spoil within a short time. Hence, it is necessary to protect it from water damage. Here are some tips to follow.

1. Don’t Ride Your Scooter in the Rain or Snow

In this article, we have extensively highlighted the reasons why it is a bad idea to ride your scooter when it is raining. So, if you want your scooter to stand the taste of time, take it indoors or under a shade when it’s raining, and don’t start using it until the floors become dry.

2. Always Keep Your Scooter Dry 

Sometimes, getting wet is inevitable. Your scooter may get wet when a little amount of water splashes on it. When this happens, use a dry, absorbent rag to clean the water off. If you think that water must have entered the inner components, quickly dry it off with a wet-dry vacuum cleaner. 

3. Get a Waterproof Cover

Prevention, they say, is better than cure. To protect your scooter from water damage, get a waterproof cover for it. Always cover it whenever you’re not using it.

4. Tape the Holes and Gaps

Take the water protection a notch higher by sealing the holes and gaps with duct tape. Also seal the charging port and only remove the seal when you want to charge your scooter. This additional protection will make it difficult for water to get into your scooter through screw holes and other openings.

5. Or Just Buy an Äike

Äike electric scooters are built to handle rain puddles, snowstorms and icy roads. Coming from Estonia, Äike engineers know all too well that perfect weather is but a dream in most countries. And getting wet is part of life. Plus kinda fun. We don’t think the weather is valid excuse to not convert to micromobility, so we’re leading by example. Our official testing approves riding from -17 to +35 -degree weather.

Which Äike Model is Best for Riding in the Rain?

The all new Äike T has an X5 IP rating. It is waterproof, and you can ride it during a light shower. It can also withstand puddles, and its mechanical drum brakes come handy when the road is slippery. 

Conclusion

Äike produces high-quality and durable electric scooters, with which you can even ride in the rain. Made with sustainable eco-friendly materials, ride with Äike  e-scooters for up to 40 km at a speed of 25 km/hr. Pre-order your Äike T now with a 69€ deposit. Shipping in November 2022.