Eco-Friendly Scooters – How Sustainable Are They?

Environmental sustainability and the reduction of emission have been some of the highest selling points for electric scooters. The global call for the reduction of global warming has caused a spike in the sales and production of eco-friendly scooters. But then, are these micromobility devices really eco-friendly, and how sustainable are they? 

In this article, we will discuss eco-friendly scooters, their role in maintaining a green environment, and where you can get the best green electric scooters. Let’s get to it! 

What Is an Electric Scooter Made Of?

One of the most common characteristics of eco electric scooters is that they’re very lightweight. This is because most of their body parts are made of lightweight materials, most notably, aluminum. 

High quality eco electric scooters like the Äike T are assembled using recycled materials, which are then reinforced to make the commuter sturdy. By using recycled aluminum, the production process of these eco-friendly scooters consumes 95% less energy compared to the energy that would have been required to extract aluminum ore. 

Some manufacturers also use recycled steel to produce their commuters, and they’re also lightweight and environmentally safe. On the other hand, it isn’t advisable to buy brands made with a lot of plastic and carbon fiber, especially if you believe in environmental sustainability. This is because these materials are not easy to reassemble or reuse. 

Which Materials Are Being Used in Other Parts of an E-scooter?

The chassis is the most basic part of your micromobility ride. It typically comprises the deck and stem, and is what holds every other part together. In high-quality green electric scooters, these parts are made with recycled aerospace aluminum alloy, which tend to be lighter than most other materials.

Some brands use steel to make its base, but the downside of it is that steel is heavier than aluminum. The materials used in making other parts of an electric micro-commuter include:

• Disk brakes, nuts, bolts, wheels, and rims are made of steel.
• Throttle button, brake lever, fender are made of silicone or plastic. 
• Tires, deck surface, caps, and handle covers are made of silicone or rubber.

Materials Used in Making the Electric Parts of a Scooter 

The electric motors of modern micromobility devices are built using magnets, copper wires and other metallic materials. The motor of some modern brands is inside the wheels, but in some brands, it is placed separately and connected to the wheels with metal chains.

Furthermore, each one of these eco-friendly scooters has a lithium-ion battery. Just as the name implies, the battery contains lithium salts alongside carbon and metallic oxides. These batteries can also be recycled after use, which makes them sustainable for the environment. 

What Is Better for the Environment: Owning or Renting an E-scooter?

It is common knowledge that electric scooters are environmentally friendly as they do not contribute to emission like cars and motorcycles. They don’t use fossil fuels like combustible engines. 

At a molecular level, the level of environmental sustainability of privately owned devices differ from that of rental or mass variants. This difference can be traced to the manufacturing process, which isn’t emission-free. Mass production of rental fleets generates more emission than the production of privately owned ones. 

Apart from the mass production process which counteracts the environmental-friendly nature of these eco-friendly scooters, the charging process also contributes to emission because they have to be driven in a truck to the charging dock. This process also defeats the environmental conservation purpose of these electric devices. 

Furthermore, the charging process also matters. Personal devices require less energy to charge, and you can ultimately charge them with renewable energy like your solar power. This may not be the case with commercial fleets. Due to the high demand for these rides, fleet managers may have no other choice than to charge them through non-eco means just to keep the business thriving. 

How Much Does an E-scooter Emit Compared to a Car?

According to the American Environmental Protection Agency, on average, a car emits 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. On the other hand, electric micromobility rides do not emit carbon dioxide during their usage. The manufacturing process does cause some emission, but eco electric scooters reduce the emission considerably by using recycled materials. 

How Can E-scooters Improve Urban Environments?

Riding these micromobility devices in place of regular cars improves urban environments in different ways, namely: 

1. They reduce emission: Countries and environmental protection agencies all over the world have been making efforts to combat global warming by reducing emission. Commuting daily with cars produces a high level of green house gases, but using electric commuters saves the earth the damage, as they don’t emit carbon dioxide. 
2. It conserves energy: Eco-friendly scooters are built with energy conserving technology. The Äike T, for instance, has a regenerative electric braking system that momentarily recharges the vehicle each time you engage the brakes.
3. Reduction of Noise Pollution: Cars could be extremely loud, and contributes to noise pollution. Eco electric scooters, on the other hand, could be soundless or make very little whirling sounds. This makes them ecologically safer than cars. 
4. It contributes to clearer air: Clean air is necessary for humans and animals to continue thriving in good health. The high number of cars and combustible engines in urban cities have a negative effect on human and animal health. To combat this growing trends, it is necessary for more people to embrace emission-free means of transportation. 

Conclusion

By riding an eco-friendly scooter, you’re helping to reduce global warming and conserve the environment. This is because these commuter rides do not release harmful gasses into the air, and they’re made with renewable resources that do not take a harmful toll on the environment. 

Although there are numerous eco-friendly scooter brands out there, Äike takes it a notch further with lots of environmentally friendly features. 42% of its production materials are assembled from renewable materials, and when your device gets old and retired, 92% of the parts can be recycled. This makes Äike T arguably the most environmentally conscious brand out there. 

Order your Äike T now, to join the elite group of riders who’re working towards achieving a green and healthy environment.