#Canada #Montreal #electric scooters #Apollo Scooters #Range Loss

Apollo Scooters Study: Electric Scooter Range in Cold Weather

Recently, Apollo Scooters released significant findings based on an extensive analysis of over 512,000 rides across 8,449 different scooters. The goal was to address a common concern among electric scooter users—how much range does an electric scooter actually lose in cold temperatures?

Findings from the Research

The study concluded that the actual loss in range at freezing temperatures (32°F or 0°C) is about 12%. This statistic contrasts sharply with the widely circulated claim that electric scooters can lose between 20% to 50% of their range in cold weather. According to Maciek Piskorz, Co-Founder and CEO of Apollo Scooters, the study dispels these myths by providing real data collected from the rides.

The analysis indicated that as temperatures drop, the range loss occurs gradually. The data shows a reduction of approximately 5% at 50°F (10°C), 10% at 41°F (5°C), and continues to increase to about 13% at 20°F (-7°C).

Interestingly, one notable finding from the study is that the range tends to rebound with the arrival of warmer weather, as scooters that had been exposed to freezing temperatures returned nearly to their original ranges by spring, matching those that had never experienced cold weather.

Battery Size and Cold Performance

Another significant takeaway was the observation that a larger battery does not necessarily mitigate range loss. All models from Apollo, regardless of battery size (ranging from 540 Wh to 1800 Wh), exhibited similar declines in performance near freezing conditions.

Patterns in Rider Behavior

The behaviors of scooter riders also varied substantially depending on geographic location. For example, in New York, about 20% of scooter users continued to ride through January, while in Montreal, that figure decreased to less than 2%. These disparities can be attributed to the different weather climates and the presence of snow and ice in areas like Montreal, which deter riders from using scooters during winter months.

Longevity of Battery Life

In a separate but related study involving 1.1 million rides and nearly 50,000 scooters, Apollo found that there was no measurable battery range loss over extended distances, such as 2,500 miles (equivalent to around six years of typical riding). It is also noted that scooters often experience minimal wear since many riders prefer to park them rather than subject them to the wear of extensive use.

The report indicates that only 60% of scooters with over 5,000 miles were actively ridden in the last three months, compared to only 16% of scooters under 100 miles.

Conclusion and Further Reading

The findings from these studies are significant for potential and current electric scooter riders, helping them better understand the performance of their scooters in varying weather conditions. For in-depth details, full study results, charts, and methodology, readers are invited to visit Apollo's blog: Cold Weather Study and Lifespan Study.

In summary, while a small reduction in range is observed during colder temperatures, the impact is nowhere near the drastic losses previously assumed. This study not only serves as a reassurance to users but also offers guidance on how best to size their scooters for varying riding conditions throughout the year.