Electric scooters are awesome, but you know what’s not awesome? Riding one and there’s a sudden downpour. With a foot-powered scooter, you don’t have to worry about this too much, but what about an electric scooter?
Is it like a car, where it’s designed to handle the rain, or is it like any other electronic, where you don’t want to be caught in a downpour with it? Let’s find out
The Answer
Okay, let’s not delay. The answer is yes, you can ride in the rain, but it depends on the scooter and how water resistant it is. Most scooters have some water resistance. This means that if you’re riding your scooter, and there’s a light drizzle, you don’t have to worry too much.
However, water resistant doesn’t mean waterproof. Many scooters may not survive a downpour, or being submerged in a deep puddle. Let’s discuss.
What Can Happen?
If you drive your electric scooter into a puddle, are unfortunate enough to deal with a downpour, or you don’t store your scooter in a safe location during a storm, the answer is simple: Water can damage the battery and other electric parts, thus taking the “electric” part out of the “electric scooter” name.
That’s mostly it. Some riders may wonder if they are at a risk of electrocution if they drive their scooter in the rain, but that is unlikely. However, you still don’t want to take the risk, so here are some precautions you can take.
What Precautions Should I Take?
The best way to reduce the impact of rain on your scooter? Not drive it in the rain in the first place. But that’s just being condescending; we all know that the weather forecast can change, after all, or you may be in a situation where you have no other option but to take your electric scooter into the rain. However, you can always be prepared. Here are some ways.
- Make sure to wear clothing that can shield you from the rain. That way, you aren’t inconvenienced by it.
- If you haven’t bought a scooter yet, look for one with a high waterproof rating.
- Bring a scooter cover if you have to leave it out in the rain. A good, waterproof cover can prevent the scooter from getting water damage.
- Always move the scooter to an area away from the rain should you not have a cover. At home, keep it in your garage or similar location at all times.
- Avoid any standing water when your ride. Be mindful and get away from any puddles that look a little deep.
- Waterproof your scooter a little. Find any unneeded holes in it and seal them.
- Avoid riding it in the rain when it’s cold. This could lead to hypothermia. Especially avoid freezing rain.
- Do not ride if the rain makes it hard to see. This could be dangerous for you.
Read the IP Ratings
These ratings tell you how resistant the scooter is. The first number centers around the resistance to objects. The second concerns water.
Even though this is an article about water, we should discuss the IP number. You can typically find a scooter that ranges from 4-6. Four means the scooter can have protection from objects that are 1mm or more. In other words, your scooter can live if it bumps into something.
Number 5 centers around dust protection. With an electronic device, dust can be a killer. Five means the scooter has a little protection. Six, meanwhile, means the scooter has complete dust protection.
Now, let’s discuss the second number. If the number is under 4, this means you shouldn’t ride it in the rain under any circumstances. Cheap electric scooters may have numbers this low, because, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for.
Four means that the electric scooter can handle a splash. It’s good for light rain. Five means a low-pressure jet of water can hit it. With 6, high-pressure jets can hit it, and the scooter will survive.
Numbers 7 and 8 mean that the scooter is waterproof. However, being waterproof doesn’t mean it’s invincible. Seven means that the scooter can be immersed for a short time without any damage. As long as you get the scooter out of the water ASAP, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
Finally, a rating of 8 means that it can be immersed for longer. This gives your electric scooter a little “room to breathe”. However, you probably don’t want to keep it underwater for hours or anything.
Can I Salvage My Scooter Should It Get Wet?
Let’s say your scooter isn’t fully waterproof, and you end up in a puddle. It happens. Is there a way to save it? An electronic device being exposed to water is a situation where you have to act fast. Ideally, you should do these next steps ASAP, or if you notice something unusual going on.
First, turn it off. If you keep it on, the water will damage it quickly. After you turn it off, take out the battery. Use a pad or towel to dry it. Then, use a vacuum and hold it close, but not too close, to the vacuum. This can remove any remaining moisture.
Some people will put the battery in uncooked rice to absorb the water, but that may make it a little dusty. However, that’s up to you.
If it still doesn’t work, you may need to get a new battery for your scooter, or take it in for a repair. It is possible to save your scooter, but sometimes the water’s damage was a little too much. Good luck on that end.
Conclusion
Riding your electric scooter in the rain won’t kill it, depending on what type you have and whether or not you avoid puddles. However, it’s still not ideal. If the forecast has possible rain, you should look to another method of transportation. That way, you’ll have less of a risk of destroying your precious scooter in the process.