Electric Scooter Troubleshooting and Repair Guide

Have you ever encountered issues with your off-road electric scooter? While it can be a thrilling ride, it's normal to experience minor problems from time to time. However, if you're not familiar with electric scooter repair, you might feel uncertain about what to do next. Should you contact the dealer or company where you purchased the scooter? While that's a wise option, there are other solutions available too. In fact, we can share numerous ways to repair your scooter. To start, let's take a look at the most common issues. By troubleshooting, you can quickly determine the problem and choose the most suitable repair option.

What are the Common Issues with Electric Scooter?

Scooter Not Charging

Charging issues with electric scooter batteries are a common occurrence. The battery is responsible for powering the scooter and typically has a lifespan of 2-3 years or 300-500 charging cycles, if it's a lithium battery. New scooters usually undergo quality inspections before leaving the factory, so battery problems are rare. However, most charging problems arise due to a malfunctioning charger. If you're unsure whether the issue is with the charger or the battery, try troubleshooting it on another electric scooter of the same model. If the charger works well on the new scooter, it's likely a problem with the charging port. In that case, perform a thorough check to determine if the issue lies with the charger port.

Please check the cable and connector of the charger port with a voltmeter. (Refer to the previous blog for more battery maintenance tips) 

Scooter Running Slowly

I am often asked why my scooter can only reach a maximum speed of 15 mph when its top speed is advertised at 40 mph. The speed of a scooter can be influenced by four key factors: battery power, speed mode, payload capacity, and pneumatic tire air pressure.

• Battery power

If you're experiencing a decrease in speed, it's possible that your battery is running low and unable to supply enough energy. To achieve maximum speed, ensure that your battery is fully charged.

• Speed mode

To achieve a maximum speed of 20 kph on the Varla Eagle One, the rider should use Eco mode or Gear 1. However, switching to Turbo mode and adjusting to gear 3 can increase the riding speed up to 40 mph.

• Payload capacity

The speed of a scooter is impacted by its weight. Manufacturers usually measure the top speed in ideal conditions when the scooter's weight is around 160 lbs. However, if the rider's weight exceeds the recommended maximum value, the scooter's speed will decrease from the standard parameter.

• Tire pressure

Ensure that the tire pressure is within the proper range. If the tire pressure is too low, the contact area between the tire and the ground will increase, and the driving resistance will also increase. Thus, the speed of the scooter will also slow down.

If you have checked all of the above, it may be a battery problem. The capacity of lithium batteries will gradually decrease in time. When it has more than three years of service life, it is time to replace it with a new battery.

Abnormal Brake Sound

One common issue with brakes is uneven distance between the brake rotor and pads, which can cause a rubbing sound. This often happens with disc brakes due to bumps during riding. To fix this issue, adjust the screws on both sides of the brakes until the distance is even. Once this is done, rotate the tire to check if there is still a rubbing sound. If you're having trouble adjusting it, it's best to seek professional assistance.

Where to Repair the Electric Scooter?

Return to Distributor

Check the warranty of the electric scooter first. Most scooters have different warranty periods based on different parts, such as the battery, motors, and frame. Varla provides a 2-year warranty service, which is very helpful. If your scooter encounters any manufacturing defects during the warranty period, we will help you solve this problem.

Find Skilled Mechanics Online

Are you worried that electric scooters are not common enough to be repaired? No worries! You can easily find a mechanic online to solve the problem. The best sources to find are yellow pages and online business listings.

The advantage is that you won't have to spend time and resources to repair it. You just need to move your fingers to check the mechanics near your online and make an appointment for maintenance.

Go to PEV/Moped Repair Shops

In most urban areas, there are repair shops for PEVs. It's recommended to take your electric scooter to a nearby repair shop to have it checked and repaired. These shops usually have professional mechanics who can fix any electric scooter malfunctions and get you back on the road quickly. If you're unsure whether there's a repair shop near your home, a quick Google search can provide the answer.

Go to Bike Repair Shops

In case you are unable to locate a mechanic or electric scooter repair shop nearby and the situation worsens, it is advisable to consider visiting a bike repair shop. Even though they may not be well-versed with scooters, they can still carry out basic repairs, such as changing tires, fixing loose screws, adjusting brakes, and addressing some steering and braking issues. If there are no other repair options available, seeking assistance from a bike repair shop is a good idea.

Do It Yourself

Nowadays, you can easily find videos on the Internet and other tutorials that you can perform yourself. For example, the Varla Scooter provides many Tech Tips videos to help customers repair it themselves. According to the video instruction, you can replace the inner tube or tire, adjust the brake, etc. This will not only save you a lot of maintenance costs but also help you better understand your scooter.

*If you are not confident about repairing an electric scooter, please do not act rashly!

Conclusion

Although electric scooters do not require much maintenance, you can always avoid repairs if you can maintain your electric scooter regularly. Ensure that the electric scooter is always kept clean, and learn how to ride the electric scooter in the recommended way. Finally, if you think there is a problem, please check it immediately to avoid any other scooter problems.

Check out more helpful tips from Varla Scooter:

• What's the life span of an electric scooter?
• Electric scooter night riding guides