Food delivery is one of the fastest growing businesses in the world, and electric scooters are the fastest way to make deliveries in the city.
Electric Scooters and the Food Delivery Business
What’s for dinner? In the last few years, we’ve answered the question with an online menu just as often as a trip to the kitchen. The convenience of online ordering became a lifeline for many people, whether they were ordering in or starting their own food delivery job to make some extra income. Now, food delivery is one of the fastest growing businesses in the world.
Dine-in restaurants have to compete not only with each other but also with low-overhead delivery-only kitchens offering fresh, hot food, faster and cheaper. The food delivery market has more than doubled in the past couple years and continues to thrive.
For the moment, cities in the UK are excluded while the country awaits electric scooter legalisation. But once it goes into effect, we might expect food deliveries by electric scooters to become almost as common as deliveries by electric bikes. Indeed, there are good reasons for choosing an electric scooter over an electric bike for food delivery, and we’ll discuss some of them below.
Choosing the Right Electric Scooter for Food Delivery Service
First, we must say that not just any e scooter model will do the job, and certainly no cheap imitation scooter will hold up under the stress. Most commuter electric scooters on the market aren’t built to function as food delivery vehicles, given the high demands of this kind of work. Scooters used routinely for food delivery service need to be especially rugged. They need plenty of power – typically in dual motor builds – to carry riders and their deliveries over hills, and they need long battery life to ensure no precious time is lost during prime hours by having to stop and plug in.
What’s more, a good electric scooter for food delivery should ideally have puncture resistant, vibration-dampening tyres, a suspension system that can smooth out bumps in the road or handle the occasional patch of dirt or light gravel, and a water resistance rating to survive bouts of foul weather. Then there are features like turn signals and brake lights that keep delivery riders safe on the road, not to mention needed accessories like a good helmet, safety gear, additional lighting, delivery bags and other supplies.
Are Delivery Scooters Expensive?
These prerequisites might sound like a lot, and they can seem prohibitively expensive at first glance. But, high powered electric scooters that meet the standards for food delivery vehicles come in at several different price points, all of which are significantly less investment than a car, and more or less the same cost as a premium electric bike. The best electric scooter models can replace a car for most delivery jobs and can work much better than an electric bike for many reasons we’ll note below.
Why Scooters Beat Cars or E Bikes for Food Delivery
The advantages of using electric scooters over other forms of transportation are many: scooters allow riders to bypass gridlock, breeze around traffic and take shortcuts through narrow places cars can’t go. This means a delivery person can make more food deliveries per shift, and make more money in shorter periods of time than in a car. (That’s without even mentioning the hassles of parking….!)
Most electric scooters are relatively low-maintenance vehicles, especially when compared to cars which require repairs and replacement parts routinely as a matter of basic care. The same can be said of electric bicycles which require tune-ups by a qualified mechanic. Electric scooters generally have fewer mechanical parts, take up less space, and need less attention than cars or bicycles. Cars also depreciate more rapidly in value as they age and acquire more mileage.
If you’re considering ditching the car and getting a scooter, or getting into the food delivery business for the first time, consider purchasing one of the electric scooters below. Many have been tested by delivery drivers in major cities in the U.S., from New York to L.A. Some models have worked better in cities like Seattle and Portland, where wet conditions are more the norm than the exception, while some fare better in the dryer climate of Southern California. Some are better at carrying heavier riders or handling badly-maintained roads.
What Are the Best Electric Scooters for Food Delivery?
How much can you expect to spend on an electric scooter for food delivery? The short answer is: anywhere between £1,280 and £3,840, excluding accessories. The longer answer can depend on your expertise, size, and riding environment. Let’s look at the pros and cons of eight high powered e-scooters just below.
EMOVE Roadrunner
$1,495.00
The Roadrunner is more comfortable than most electric bikes, with a plush, memory foam seat and front dual spring suspension – and it comes standard with hydraulic disc brakes, bright LED headlight and tail light, and an integrated brake light and turn signals. You can double your range with an optional, swappable battery (for $490), and expand your carrying capacity with an optional center bag. Also, it can comfortably carry riders up to 330 lbs, and it only weighs 55 pounds!
Pros
- Speeds up to 34 mph
- Swappable, lockable, optional battery extends range to 100 miles!
- Seated form factor can be more comfortable over long days for many riders
- Dual XTECH hydraulic brakes
- Great for bigger riders
- Exceptionally lightweight for its design
- Large, 14” (tubed) tires eat up bumps
Cons
- Doesn’t fold
- LONG battery charging time (12 hours)
Solar P1 Pro
$1,999.00
The P1 Pro is an all-around admirable example of the “lightweight-heavyweight” category that represents great value and surprising portability. The base model has key start and square wave controllers, but the P1 Pro is worth the extra money for biometric security (and sine waves!), so no one can ride off with your ride while you’re making a delivery. You can easily see why someone would be tempted.
Solar’s P1 Pro has all the goods in every area that counts, including blisteringly fast acceleration, huge amounts of power (1600W x 2), long battery life, an optional seat, and some of the best swag lighting we’ve ever seen if you get their upgraded “Tron edition.”
Pros
- Massive power output for climbing hills and riding over obstacles
- Biometric security package comes with sine wave controllers for faster acceleration!
- Outstanding warranty on all major parts
- Dual hydraulic brakes
- Max load of 330 lbs
- Weighs only 70 lbs!
- IP54 water resistance rating
- Fantastic customer service from a boutique brand
- Up to 50 miles of range!
Cons
- Fingerprint scanner costs extra
- Aesthetics are a little uninspiring
Inokim OXO
$1,999.00
Inokim’s OXO is not a lightweight electric scooter at 74 pounds, but it still may be one of the most portable scooters you can buy that’s also suitable for the food delivery business. Slower acceleration divides thrill-seekers from everyday commuters, but the OXO has all the speed you need in its 1000 watt dual motors, and it has almost everything else, too, earning it a rating of “close to perfect” from reviewers who lament its slower throttle response.
That said, the OXO is an excellent place to start if you are not an experienced rider – despite the significant power under its bonnet, the cautious throttle won’t make you feel like you’re riding a land rocket. This scooter has front-facing LED lights integrated into the deck, but the OXO will still require an additional headlamp mounted to the handlebar for max visibility and riding in low light. Also, the lack of a water resistance rating means it should only ever be ridden in light rain, and it’s probably not suitable for a frequent use in cities with wet climates.
Pros
- Top speeds of up 40mph
- Excellent ride quality, with 10-inch tubeless tyres and adjustable, rubber and single-swingarm suspension
- Max range up to 50 miles in Sport mode
- Comparatively portable
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Max rider weight of 260 lbs
Cons
- Sluggish acceleration
- Plastic deck can feel slippery
- No water resistance rating
VSETT 10+
$2,190.00
Another entry in the “light-heavyweight” category, the 80 lb VSETT 10+ has a well-deserved reputation among e scooter enthusiasts as a very high performing electric scooter for beast-like qualities in a relatively slender package (relative to monster scooters like the Segway GT2, that is).
The VSETT 10+ no longer leads the pack in top speeds, but it’s more than fast enough. This electric scooter’s suite of unique features and excellent build quality put it far ahead as a top choice for a delivery electric scooter.
Pros
- Dual 1,400W motors
- Turn signal buttons integrated into the handgrips
- Hydraulic rear shock for maximum shock absorption
- Race-worthy acceleration
- Relatively lightweight
- Water resistance rating of IP54
- Top speed of 50 mph!
- Large battery for long range
- Nutt hydraulic brakes
Cons
- Bright LED lighting, but placed low on the deck-may need additional, handlebar-mounted lighting for max visibility
- Deck is on the short side – may not be a great choice for taller riders
Kaabo Mantis King GT
$2,195.00
Yes, it’s pricier than many other electric scooters you can buy for a food delivery business, but the Mantis King GT is also far more versatile, and surprisingly portable at only 74 lbs. It is heavy-duty, with a max weight limit of 265 lbs and has got massive hill-climbing power and a top speed of over 40 mph. There’s really no way to go wrong with a Mantis King GT.
The Mantis King GT also comes with two charging ports and two chargers, which fill up its massive battery in only six hours. Cut that down to less than half the time with optional fast chargers.
Pros
- Good portability
- Dual hydraulic brakes
- Adjustable dual hydraulic suspension!
- Fast charging
- Turn signals
- Sweet swag lighting!
- Very smooth acceleration along the entire throttle
- Large, 4.2 in display is impossible to miss
- Bright, high-mounted headlamp
- Super-fast charging!
Cons
- More expensive than some similarly spec-ed scooters
Kaabo Wolf King GT Pro
$3,195.00
The Wolf King GT doesn’t just rule its own model line – it just rules. It seems like the often-used term “beast scooter” was invented to describe it. The Wolf King GT has some of the fastest speeds and longest ranges ever seen on an electric scooter, incredible stability, and top-class braking. The Wolf King GT takes up a lot of room in discussions of the best e-scooters, and it also, quite literally, takes up a lot of room. It’s big, it’s heavy, it’s cumbersome. It’s not, by any means, a “light heavyweight” at 125 lbs, and it’s not for inexperienced riders who can’t handle its weight, speed, and power.
Pros
- FAST – it’s been tested at a top speed of 61 mph!!!!
- One of the longest range scooters you can buy
- Max rider weight of 330 lbs
- IPX5 water resistance rating
- Incredibly bright lighting – no need for add-ons
- Best stability at high speeds
Cons
- Heavy, heavy, heavy!
- Too large to move easily by car
Dualtron Ultra 2
$3,990.00
Indeed, the Ultra 2 is purpose-built for off-road adventures, with 11 in x 3.5 in knobby tyres to match, but it performs just as well on the road and can be ordered with road tyres if desired. This electric scooter has a top speed of up to 55 mph and a 72V 35Ah battery that means you’ll never get range anxiety.
The Ultra 2 has a combined 6640W of nominal power, or to put it in lay terms – A LOT of power, enough to conquer pretty much any steep grade you’re likely to encounter in the city without significant loss of speed. For delivery drivers, these features mean never having to slow down on a run because your ride can’t handle the terrain.
40 amp controllers give this scooter roaring acceleration that is not for the faint of heart. Impeccable build quality, a non-slip deck over a foot wide, an adjustable, swappable rubber suspension system, and endlessly customizable controls complete the package.
Pros
- MASSIVELY powerful dual motors
- Huge battery for best-in-class range
- Enormous deck for the larger footed
- Off-road design and cartridge suspension handles any terrain
- Max load up to 330 lbs
- Supports dual charging and optional fast charging
- Nutt hydraulic brakes
- Decently portable for a high-performance scooter
Cons
- Pricey
- Less swag lighting than the Dualtron Storm?
- No IP rating
Dualtron Storm
$4,490.00
In many ways a larger sibling to the Ultra 2 (which has a slightly larger battery), the Storm is not light, but every one of its 102 pounds is justified by best-in-class speed, power, acceleration, range, braking, and, perhaps most importantly, the fanciest lighting scheme this side of Vegas.
Like the Ultra 2, the Storm boasts 6640 watts of dual motor power, Nutt hydraulic brakes, and adjustable rubber cartridge suspension, and it uses 40A controllers for FAST acceleration. It’s also got the same wide deck, but somewhat compromised in this case by the swappable battery’s handle.
Oh, did we mention there’s a swappable battery? Yep, it may weigh almost 30 pounds (and cost around $1500), but an optional spare battery extends the Storm’s 50 or so miles of range to around 100 miles.
Pros
- Record breaking range with a swappable battery
- Extremely rugged construction
- Ridiculous racetrack speed
- HUGE deck
- Max load of 330 lbs
- Burly 11 in x 3.5 in tyres
- Massively powerful hill climbing and acceleration
- Adjustable cartridge suspension
- Hydraulic and regenerative braking
- Best-in-class swag lighting
- Maybe a full car replacement?
Cons
- Heavy
- Expensive
- No IP rating
- Some stem wobble and creak reported
Josh Jones
BIO:
Josh is a writer, electric vehicle fanatic, avid cyclist, and all around gearhead.
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