I'm sure you know that Lime scooters are the hottest form of transport in towns and cities right across New Zealand.
Even if you use Lime just a few times a week, it is definitely going to be more cost effective and cooler to buy your very own electric scooter in New Zealand.
Today we're going to look at the best electric scooter for the NZ market.
New Zealanders, unlike Aussies across the pond can actually buy and operate their own electric scooters without a license, insurance and tax.
The electric scooter nz law states that you can operate one provided the electric scooter is designed in the style of a traditional push scooter, must not have wheels larger than 355mm and the maximum power output does not exceed 300W.
The great thing about e-scooters in NZ is it's nearly impossible to tell the power of a scooter by looking at it.
It's also pretty obvious to see how many people are printing replica 300W stickers and affixing them to scooters.
You don't even need a helmet unlike a bicycle.
When the boss ordered a shipment of the best e-scooters we were stoked! Over the course of the last few weeks we've been zooming around town.
Some are quicker than others, some are cheap, some look sleek and well.. some were just down right disappointing.
Best Electric Scooter NZ Review
1. Inokim OX Super
This thing goes like a cut cat, okay we said it. It's the fastest scooter off the shelf, period.
Okay we probably shouldn't tell you to buy one as it comes with 800W of pure mountain climbing power but if you're a rebel who loves speed and isn't afraid of getting pulled over, and wants the absolute crown jewels in the scooter world then you really need to get yourself an Inokim OX Super.
This thing flies and is definitely not for the faint hearted. With a top speed of nearly 50Kph you'll easily keep up with most cars around the central city or those 50cc scooters picking you for a race off the lights.
The brush-less motor is ultra light weight, 60V and and comes with a huge range of 100KM on a single charge.
Yes, 100KM on a single charge! You could scoot from Wellington to Upper Hutt and back and still have juice left in the battery.
Charging time is a little long at 12 hours so make sure you plug in straight after work.
Load size is up to 100kg so may not suit all riders with the average usually being 120kg.
Fancy features that can be expected given the price tag include twin LED headlights which are super bright, a flashing LED tail brake light, dual braes including front drum and rear disc.
It's also one of the only scooters in Inokim's line up to feature front and rear suspension.
Stopping distance at 20km/h was 3 metres. This was the shortest in our testing and best out of all the scooters on this list.
The only downside is the scooter weighs 28kg so carrying it into the office or store will become a hassle for most.
If you want to be seen then this is the scooter for you. Just make sure you get a robust lock and insurance as there will be plenty of prying eyes on this scooter, there will be a few.
After testing all the scooters this is our favorite but it's clearly not designed for a commuter due to the weight.
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2. Ninebot KickScooter Segway ES2
If you're looking for a cheap electric scooter with lots of features, looks sexy as f.., weighs less than 13kg and can travel at speeds of up to 25km/h within a 25km radius then the Ninebot KickScooter by Segway ES2 could just be what you're looking for.
Our one was delivered for around $900 and features a shock absorption feature ensuring a comfortable ride, a front and rear plus under base 1.5W led light for night time scooting and folds up into an easy to carry commuters dream.
The motor is rated at 700W yet charges the entire battery in under 3 hours. It's weight limited to 100kg so similar to the editors choice scooter isn't designed for our heavy friends.
The Ninebot by Segway ES2 features dual font and reader double spring suspension, an ergonomic arc pedal design, 8 inch large wheels and an electric and mechanical break. Stopping distance at 20km/h was around 4-5 metres.
One of the great features about the Ninebot scooters is the ability to connect your phone via their mobile app direct to your scooter. From here you can change the color of the lights, display effects, add pulsing effects and more.
Another great feature is the ability to expand the battery using an expandable battery pack which weighs 1.5kg and allows your scooter to get more powerful and faster on the road.
We didn't buy the battery pack so can't give you exact speeds but plenty of reviews say it's a worth investment.
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3. Inokim Superlight 2
Okay finally there's a scooter that makes our top five that is actually allowed to be used in NZ as the brush-less motor is rated at only 250W offering a top speed of 25km and a range of 22-30km off a single charge.
It's a very efficient scooter and at 12.6kg it's easily carried into the office or house. One click and it's down and you can store it where ever you like.
High quality addons include alloy rims, bell, front and rear LED lights, mudguards and dual suspension make this a real joy to ride on.
A four hour charge makes this scooter a fast charging scooter and is suitable for up to 100kg riders.
It features a single front break and stopping distance at 20km/h was 4 meters. The graphics look mean and green and it's definitely a scooter you'll be noticed on.
Quite possibly the best scooter without the huge price tag for both speed and durability.
4. Zoom Stryder EX
Whether you're looking for a daily commuter or a cruiser scooter the Zoom Stryder will fulfil all your desires.
With a sleek design, a lower price tag and cruise control (yes a missile guided scooter should you wish) this compact scooter will propel you up to 30kph within a range of 30km.
It's capable of carrying up to 110kg rated but our mate was 120kg and had no issues riding around town.
The scooter features durable front and rear suspension and comes with a pick your style, eco or turbo mode for fast and powerful or a more relaxed approach where your focus is on battery conservation.
Hills and slopes up to 25% which the other scooters above handed with ease were fine with the Zoom too.
One of the best selling points has to be the super fast 2.5 hour charging feature. Braking distance was 4-5 meters from a 20km/h speed.
The dry weight was 10.9kg making it a perfect commuter scooter for putting on your back and taking into the office. Even the handlebars fold in making it even more sleek when not in use.
It's missing features such as led lights. battery expansion and smart phone integration.
It's available in a wide range of colours.
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5. Xiaomi M365 Electric Scooter NZ
Weighing in at only 12.5kg this scooter packs a lot of punch in a small package. With a maximum speed of 25km/h in a range of 30km you'll be able to commute to work in no time at all.
It's geared for a maximum load of 100kg although we had no issues using up to 120kg.
A simple click and lock folding design will ensure it's folded away in under 3 seconds, the quickest of any of the scooters we tested.
It comes with a dual brake system for faster stopping with our braking distance being 4 meters from a 20km/h speed.
We really liked the press accelerator and battery capacity display. A full charge took 5 hours and the instruction manual says 4-6 hours is pretty standard on the international model. Front and reader safety lights are bright and good for round the clock scooting.
One of the best features is the smart phone app integration for driving data monitoring, firmware updating and turning cruise control on and off. It would be better and safer in my opinion if cruise control was controlled from the handlebars but it's only a small complaint.
We opted for the white version, it looks far more sleek.
If you can get your hands on this scooter then great, everywhere we've seen is sold out and even international vendors are running low on stock. At less than $800 it's one of the most affordable scooters in New Zealand with lots of features.
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From The Editor
All the scooters featured here were bought or leased by Ki-wi without financial gain for the purpose of this review.
The comments mentioned are our views based on actual use.
Inokim, Stryder, GoTrax and Ninebot brands can be purchased online from Auckland based, The Market who offer fast nationwide shipping and after sales support (via the vendor).
What does an electric scooter cost?
Electric scooters in New Zealand can range from a few hundred dollars for cheap kids scooters through to three thousand plus dollars for the fastest and most robust electric scooters.
You generally get what you pay for and the higher end scooters come with powerful brush-less motors and durable breaks.
Think of it as a car or a motorcycle, the more you pay, generally the better the components.
Scooters under $500 usually have brushed motors which are very slow and you'll get bored quickly.
What brand of scooter does lime use in New Zealand?
Lime is a partner with Segway whom build their custom scooters. If you're impressed with the power and durability of lime scooters then you could buy a scooter produced in partnership or exclusively by Segway.
In our review we found the ES2 very similar to a lime scooter.
Do you need a license for an electric scooter?
You do not need a license in New Zealand to use an electric scooter. You do not need a helmet nor insurance.
Exercise caution when buying high powered scooters as you could be stopped, ticketed and fined by NZ Police for using a scooter in excess of the road transport limit of 300W. Simply not having a license doesn't exclude you from receiving a road traffic infringement.
What's the best electric scooter?
Well we are firm believers that Inokim produces some of the best electric scooters in New Zealand due to their power, range, stability, durability and overall build quality. Not only do they look stylish, they perform brilliantly and offer riders a true scooting experience.
How to repair an electric scooter?
One of the most forgotten questions is what to do when you damage your scooter and need to repair it. Ultimately you will probably drop or crash your scooter at some point in the first 12 months of buying one.
While most scooters will survive a minor crash, high speed ones could ruin your scooter. There are plenty of scooter shops springing up all over the country and most bike shops are starting to sell scooters as official distributors.
Alternatively contact the official store and ask for their repairs process.
Now you know the best electric scooter nz, read our other buyer guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best electric scooter to buy?
The Inokim OX Super is the best scooter you can buy, it's one of the fastest most robust scooters you can purchase in NZ. It has a range of over 100KM on a single charge too. You can buy this scooter from a wide variety of retailers in NZ.
How much do electric scooters cost?
Most electric scooters in New Zealand cost $700 - $3000 depending on the brand and model. Some high end scooters can cost as much as $5000 so it's worthwhile insuring your scooter for accidental breakage and thefts.
Do you need insurance or a license?
You do not need insurance (although strongly recommended) and no license is needed. New Zealand law states scooters must not exceed 300W in power. Some models have far larger motors than this which may cause issues if you're stopped by police.
What is the fastest electric scooter?
The Inokim OX Super is the fastest scooter with speeds over 50km/h.
KT is an IT expert with a masters in computer programming. She loves cyber security and knows how to secure your identity online (and remove geo blocks). She also has a passion for culture and traveling.