Saving Money With an Electric Scooter: My Exact Savings (2022)

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I used to commute to work using my car. It was a long and expensive process, and it was really starting to take its toll on my wallet. I started looking for alternatives, and that’s when I discovered electronic scooters and how electric scooters eliminate most of the expenses involved in commuting.

At first, I was a little hesitant to try them out, but after doing some research, I found that they can actually save people a lot of money! In this article, I’m going to show you how much money I saved by giving up my car and commuting with an electronic scooter.

Saving Money with an Electric Scooter

Commuting to work or school each day can be a real drag, not to mention expensive. If you live in a big city, taking public transportation can add up quickly. And driving a car? Forget about it! The cost of gas, parking and car insurance is enough to make anyone reconsider their daily commute. Enter the lightweight electric scooter.

These cost-effective little machines are perfect for getting around town, and you can save a ton of money by using one instead of public transportation or driving a car. I found myself contemplating how much money I could save every year if I switched from my gas-powered SUV (Chevy Tahoe) to an electric scooter. I knew I could save quite a bit but I had no idea how much so I decided to go for it.

Commuting with my Car

Before I purchased my electric scooter I owned a 2011 Chevy Tahoe LTZ which I bought used. I calculated how much it cost me per year to commute with my car. I made sure that the following calculations only take into account commute to and from work, no other trips. Here is a breakdown of the costs to operate my Chevy Tahoe in 2021:

• Car Payment: $242 x 12 months = $2904.00
• Car Insurance: $751.90 per year (Good driver over 45 with a clean record)
• Car Registration: $288 (CA)
• Gasoline: $1650.23
• Oil Changes: $196.00
• Car Maintenance Costs: $875.00

Based on my calculations, I spent an astonishing $6,665.13 in one year to commute to work in my Tahoe which includes the typical car costs and maintenance cost that I hoped to avoid. Some people include depreciation in this calculation but I did not. With depreciation, the total cost for one year of commutes to work with my Chevy Tahoe balloon to an astonishing $9,665.13.

(See the graph below)

I was blown away by the cost of commuting with my car and of course, these numbers don’t take into account the stress of sitting in traffic, the impact my driving to work has on the environment, and the cost of using my car for other trips around town. I decided this was way too much money so I purchased an electric scooter and decided only to use my car if I needed to take my kids with me. With current gas prices in CA nearing $6.00 per gallon, this was a great decision.

Purchasing My Electric Scooter:

I looked around for an entry-level electric scooter for a few hundred dollars because I didn’t want to spend too much money so I decided on the GoTrax G4 Electric Scooter. This scooter was intriguing because the reviews said it was an above-average electric scooter with a longer battery range, and very low maintenance compared to automobiles.

The GoTrax G4 Electric Scooter came with a 36V 10.4aH Lithium-Ion Battery that promised average miles of 25 per charge. My commute was 13 miles one way so this was the perfect battery capacity for me.

The scooter also advertised its lithium-ion rechargeable batteries were extremely durable which was a major consideration for me because I wanted to incur as few maintenance costs as possible. Unlike buying cars, the purchase of the electric scooter was easy, and with the discount codes calculated, I was able to get $50 off the price.

The Cost of Commute with My Electric Scooter

I have been riding my electric scooter to work and back for one year now and I am amazed at how fun it is to commute and how little it costs to operate. I am also relieved that commuting with my electric scooter allows me to avoid the horrendous traffic in the morning and I find myself much more refreshed and ready to work when I get to my job. Here is a breakdown of the cost to take my electric scooter to work for 12 months:

• Scooter Purchase: $650
• Helmet: $100
• 12 months of charging: $62.40

Based on these calculations it cost me only $812.40 in the first year of commuting with my electric scooter, and that includes the outright purchase of the scooter. (See graphic below)

I am amazed at the amount of money I have saved commuting with my electric scooter and how low the electric scooter charging costs are! An electric commuter scooter like the one I had was significantly cheaper than commuting with my car, and I loved that I didn’t need to stop at a gas station to fill my gas tank.

My transportation costs are next to nothing because I charge my electric scooter at work under office tables which saves me on the cost of electricity. I wish I would have done this a long time ago.

In my first year, I ended up saving a tremendous $5,852.73 by switching to an electric scooter for my commute and that includes the initial cost of the scooter. Had I kept the same electric commuter scooter, I would be spending an amazing $62.40 per year to commute to work or less since I charge it at work and the company pays for the electricity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an e-scooter save money?

Absolutely! An electric scooter can save you a ton of money in the long run. For one, they’re far less expensive to maintain than a traditional car or truck, and their electricity costs are fractions of what you’d spend on gasoline.

Plus, if you live in or near a major city, chances are good that electric scooters are widely available for rent by the hour or day, which can save you a lot of money on transportation costs relative to taxis or Uber.

Finally, electric scooters tend to have much longer ranges now, so you won’t have to worry about running out of juice halfway to your destination. Overall, switching to an electric scooter can save you a tremendous amount of money and they eliminate the stress of commuting by car.

Is owning an e-scooter worth it?

Owning an electric scooter is worth it if you’re looking to save on transportation costs because it is much cheaper to operate than your average car and also eliminates parking fees in most major cities. Electric scooters are powered by batteries, so you’ll save on fuel costs when compared to normal vehicles.

They also don’t require as much maintenance as cars, and there are no emissions, so you’ll be helping the environment too! Plus, they’re really fun to ride! Even if you ride public transportation regularly, the e-scooter is a much more enjoyable experience.

What are the benefits of an e-scooter?

An e-scooter is a great alternative to a normal vehicle for several reasons. First, e-scooters don’t require parking fees, which can add up quickly in a big city. Second, they have a much longer range than they used to, which makes them perfect for short or long trips.

Third, they’re low maintenance and don’t require gas or oil changes like normal vehicles do. Finally, they’re much more environmentally friendly than cars and produce zero emissions.

Does an e-scooter use a lot of electricity?

Electric scooters are becoming more and more popular, and for good reason–they’re a lot of fun! But some people may be wondering if they use a lot of electricity. The answer is: that most electric scooters don’t use very much electricity at all.

That’s because they typically rely on lithium-ion batteries, which are very efficient. In fact, electric scooters can use as little as 1/10th the amount of electricity as a typical light bulb! So if you’re worried about your carbon footprint, an electric scooter is a great choice. Go ahead and have fun while saving the planet too!

My E-Scooter Journey Continues

After one year of commuting with my e-scooter, I gave the Gotrax G4 Electric scooter to my son to ride to school and I have purchased an Unagi Model One. I love the fact that charging at work means no more fuel costs, there is very little maintenance needed, and it has lower upfront costs than my first scooter.

As technology continues to get better, e scooter’s range continues to get better, and the average price continues to go down. Like many e-scooter riders in major cities, the cost savings when compared to public transportation and driving a car continue to get better and the low maintenance costs make electric scooters worth every penny.

Conclusion

After reading this article, it is clear that commuting with an e-scooter can save people a lot of money. Not only do they have a lower average monthly cost to operate and maintain than traditional vehicles, but they also help to reduce congestion and pollution.

As a result, electric scooters are a cost-effective and eco-friendly option for commuters especially due to the rising cost of gas prices. So if you’re looking to save money and reduce your carbon footprint, give an electric scooter a try. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy the ride.