History of the Electric Scooter - Invention, Evolution and Innovations (2023)

The wooden scooter with skateboard wheels dates from the late 19th century, around the same time that motorized bicycles also entered the scene.

Answering the question "who invented the electric scooter" is not as easy as one might think.

A quick online search on who invented it sometimes yields the name Arthur Hugo Cecil Gibson, an inventor who developed the Autoped in 1913 and patented it in 1916.

However, the Autoped was a gasoline self-propelled vehicle, not an electric one. But in many ways similar to current e-scooters. 10-inch wheels, folding stem and handlebars for better storage.

Considered by many to be just a toy for the wealthy elite, it was used by delivery men, postal workers, and New York City transit officials, among others.

Nowhere is it easy to find the exact date, place and who invented the e-scooter. What is known as fact is that on December 1st, 1895 Ogden Bolton Jr obtained his first patent for a battery powered bicycle. But it is suggested that it was a development and modification of an existing electric bicycle.

The first incarnations of electric motors appeared in the 1740s by a Scottish monk, Andrew Gordon. The development of electric motors and electromagnetic fields continued with other scientists such as Michael Faraday and Joseph Henry.

the story continues

Many companies around the world were motivated by the success of scooter vehicles in the 1910s. This motivated them to develop different versions of gasoline powered models. However, they were heavy, uncomfortable, and clunky at best. This did some damage to the reputation of scooters and it took a long time for people to change their minds about them. This may be one of the reasons why e-scooter development has slowed to a minimum.

Instead, it was the turn of the electric bicycle and electric motorcycle.

Things started to change in the late 1930s with a French inventor named Maurice Limelette. Together with his brother Albert, he founded an electric motorcycle company called SOCOVEL in 1938. In 1941, Maurice started to invent and develop his electric scooter due to gasoline rationing during the German occupation.

It was also lightweight, and this combination piqued the interest of German forces. In its first year, SOCOVEL produced and sold over 400 units, despite being quite expensive. The company continued to produce and sell electric bicycles until 1945.

Gasoline shortages were a problem even in the United States during World War II. This led Merle Williams in Long Beach, California to develop his own electric bicycle. It soon became more than just a hobby and became his main occupation. He manufactured and sold electric bicycles during the WWII period with great success. He eventually teamed up with a local businessman to form Marketeer Company, now known as ParCar Corp. To this day, they are still developing and manufacturing electric vehicles.

In 1967, Karl Kordech, an Austrian chemist and one of the co-inventors ofalkaline battery, made a nickel-cadmium fuel cell battery hybrid electric motorcycle.

That same year, American pilot Floyd Clymer developed the Papoose. This was the Indian brand's first electric bicycle prototype.

In 1975, Mike Corbin, another American racer and innovator, introduced the City Bike, an electric street bike powered by lead-acid batteries.

For speed freaks, it might be interesting to know that Mike Corbin set the world speed record for an electric motorcycle in 1974. He reached an impressive speed of 163.287 mph (266.165 km/h) on his custom motorcycle called the Quicksilver. The record stood for an incredible 38 years.

the trend continues

The 1970s trend continued with a number of independent enthusiasts actively working on their electric bicycle models. Always trying to improve. While the focus was on electric motorcycles, their innovations and developments paved the way for the modern electric scooter.

Peugeot was the first manufacturer to mass-produce an electric scooter called the ScootÉlec in 1996.It was a big hit, although a little heavy and the Ni-Cd batteries used weren't very environmentally friendly. But it was an important advance.

In 1986, Go-Ped was released. It reverted to the old concept of gas powered stand up scooters first seen in 1915. In 2001 the company released a model called the "Hoverboard" which featured full suspension on both wheels.

The big breakthrough came in 1991 when lithium-ion batteries were invented. These batteries can store more energy per kilogram and produce more current. Faster loading times were another reason why laptops, smartphones, etc. they use them. And they were also the greenest of all.

Wim Exterior

A name appears as a suggestion that answers the question of who was responsible for the modern scooter as we know it in more recent times.

Wim Ouboter, a Swiss banker, claims to have invented the modern lightweight portable scooter in 1990, supposedly to travel the half mile between his home and the local sausage shop in Zurich, Switzerland.

Thinking of nothing more than a practical solution for that last mile, Ouboter kept working on his device, eventually creating a three-wheeled version that he released for US sporting goods company K2. They debuted it at the 1998 International Sports Fair in Munich. Known as the Kickboard, this scooter's success helped Ouboter start his company Micro Mobility Systems in 1999, which produced his original two-wheel concept.

Demand was high. Oubuter allowed its production partner in Taiwan to distribute the scooter in the United States under the Razor name. And that's how, in 2003, the popular brand added an electric motor.

modern electric scooters

In the 2000s, reintroduced Go-Ped enthusiasts combined this idea and design with different electric motors and batteries from newer versions. Several prototypes of electric scooters have seen the light.

One of them was a company called Myway that started as a garage project in 2009. Today we know it as Inokim, one of the leading manufacturers of electric scooters.

Plenty of other manufacturers have popped up, and we're likely to see more of them soon.

The benefits of electric scooters, and especially stand-up scooters in f.e. Gasoline powered mopeds are plentiful and more and more people are realizing this every day. Portability, light weight, zero emissions, easy to use and drive, perfect last mile solution and extremely low cost per mile are some of the benefits of the modern electric scooter.

Electric scooter buying guide for beginners

When did electric scooters become popular?

The boom and scooter revolution started in 2018.The advent of GPS-enabled bicycle rental services in major cities has shown the way.electric scooter rentalEquity companies wanted a slice of the micromobility market. It was perfect timing as prices for batteries and GPS trackers were dropping. The ubiquitous use of smartphones has helped, as has the demand for cleaner, easier urban transport.

Since then, electric scooters can be seen more or less everywhere, not just in the big cities of the world, and in increasing numbers. Children take them to school instead of riding their bikes, people go by train or bus, etc.

The appearance of Fluidfreeride

fluid spheresIt all started as a result of riding an electric scooter from one of the biggest stock companies and it was an instant love affair. That was in March 2018.It was fun, practical and emissions free. Right, we had to get our own.

This turned out to be easier said than done. Searching the internet for hours trying to find any information,which models to buy, and general reviews, it was a very frustrating exercise. The offer in the United States was practically non-existent.

Scooters are quite complex and hyped infomercials were unreliable.

So we decided to do something about it. We tested a handful of models directly from Chinese manufacturers to identify a select group of e-scooters that best suited us and like-minded users and customers.

After a few orders (many of them disappointing), we finally chose two models to start our adventure. The WideWheel, which was fast and very powerful, better suited to thrill-seeking riders, and the Mosquito, which focuses on portability and versatility.

The fluidfreeride website was created and the company was created in September 2018. Since then, we have expanded our service capacity and added more models. In the first year, we added Wolf, Horizon and Mantis to our catalog.

Today we offer a larger group of selected electric scooters, chosen to best suit all desired needs. Whether it's a lightweight last-mile scooter solution for public transport or a high-performance off-road monster, we should be able to cover that.

We love electric scooters and our goal is to help you.find the best scooter for you. We are continually investing in improving our service capabilities so that you can be assured of a solution and help available should an issue arise.

As of this writing, we are headquartered in Miami, Florida, with a standalone service center in Brooklyn, New York, and an expanding network of service partners.

Flowing CityRider

Some of our models include the Cityrider.

The latest and greatest Cityrider is alightweight folding e-scooterWith a very powerful 36V 350W motor good for a top speed of 18 mph (29 km/h). Perfect for commuting downtown, it weighs just 28 pounds (13 kg) and has a true range of 10 to 15 miles (16 to 24 km).

Integrated turn signals with bright front and rear LED lights, drum brake and rear brake make this scooter option safe and easy to operate.

Android and iOS apps let you customize the sleek display that shows speed in miles or km/h, customize driving modes, and much more. Cruise control can also be activated through the app and even your preferred speed.

Solid tires mean zero chance of punctures. It is a very smart and stylish looking e-scooter with a matte black color and a wooden deck adding to the classy design.

Full review of Fluid CityRider

fluid horizon

The Horizon is the perfect choice for anyone looking for an ultra-reliable companion with plenty of power and extended range. There are two battery options, 10.4 Ah with a range of 37 km (23 miles) or the larger 13 Ah version with a range of up to 48 km (30 miles).

A strong climber too with its rear 500W / 800W peak powerhub motor, it can easily tackle 15% inclines and has a top speed of 40 km/h (25 mph). Excellent drum braking plus regenerative braking are part of the package.

The dual suspension system provides a very smooth ride. The rear tire is solid to avoid punctures. Usually the rear suffers from them.

Easy to fold with a smart folding mechanism, it is highly portable.

LED lights all around and advanced screen accelerator combo with many options to customize settings.

Fluid Horizon Complete Review

Fluid Mantis Pro V2 Fluid Edition

The first version of the Mantis was and still is a great scooter. Acclaimed for its overall performance and ride quality, it just got better.

The new Kaabo Mantis Pro has had its lightweight package updated and now features fully hydraulic brakes and an IPX5 rating. It's a perfect choice if you're looking for a crossover that can handle daily commutes as well as off-road and trail riding. It's very fast with lots of torque and strong acceleration.

Dual 60V 1000W motors mean a top speed of 40mph (64km/h) and enough power to climb 30% of grades without missing a beat.

A very effective full suspension system with an advanced version of the spring arm makes driving on grass or other trails smooth.

The EY3 Minimotor's display/throttle combo allows configuration of speed limit, cruise control, regenerative braking force, engine torque settings and ABS. New, bright handlebar height headlamps with additional front and rear LEDs, as well as turn signals and a side LED strip, will ensure you're seen at night.

It has a range of over 40 miles (64+ km) and still weighs "only" 65 pounds (29 kg). Of course, it is not a small or light e-scooter, but it is still possible to carry it with one hand.

Last words

Thus, we learn that the history of motorized scooters, as well as the modern electric scooter, begins many years ago. It is not something that has arrived recently. As early as the mid-1700s, people developed and learned about battery technologies.

As of this writing, it's safe to say that the future for the electric scooter is likely to be bright. Indeed, the world is changing and battery powered PEVs are now all the rage. Whether you are a fan or not. Ride-sharing companies, as well as privately owned electric scooters, are likely to grow in popularity. Gas prices are rising, roads are congested, and the public transport system generally leaves a lot to be desired.

The electric scooter is a problem solver that offers a quick and easy way to get to your destination, especially in urban environments.

However, electric scooter manufacturers do not stop there. Longer range comfortable e-scooters will be developed, and if someone is willing to ride a small motorcycle, they might be willing to ride an electric scooter.

go electric.