'Rules, Regs and Requirements

Electric Scooters and Bikes are powered by lithium-ion batteries. Although generally considered to be stable and safe, there have been some well-publicised exceptions, and the results can be both spectacular and catastrophic.

Use The Correct Charger

It is extremely important to use ONLY the charger supplied with the scooter. This will have been tested and approved for use with the battery your vehicle contains. Many battery fires can be traced back to incorrect or defective chargers.

Do Not Charge Unattended

We have a company policy of NO overnight charging. We advise the same for anyone charging anything at all, from scooters to power tools. Chargers are designed to switch off when the battery is charged. But if this mechanism fails, overcharging could result, however unlikely. Set a timer and unplug when charged.

Charge in a cool and well-ventilated area and on a hard and non-flammable surface.

Chargers will get warm when charging and this is normal. Make sure your charger has the best environment to operate efficiently by not charging in very hot or very cold areas, and make sure your charger has the best opportunity to dissipate heat. Never cover or insulate your charger.

If you notice any smells, emissions, swelling or noises from your battery STOP charging!

If it is safe to do so, move your battery and/or vehicle to a clear and open area where it can do no damage if it experiences a ‘Thermal Runaway’ event (Goes ‘up’). It will also be easier for firefighters to tackle. Be aware that a damaged battery entering its thermal runaway phase can change state and become dangerous very quickly. Do NOT take chances!

It is extremely unlikely you will experience a battery fire event, but it is not impossible. Take precautions, and if you are one of the unlucky ones, the effects will be minimised. 

The electric scooter rules and regulations seem to be in a state of change at present. Here we will clarify what we know, and also what we experience as scooter riders.

If we start with this piece from the the NZTA website regarding low-powered vehicles, we find a definition of sorts:

​'Low-powered vehicles that do not require registration or a driver licence. The following do not meet the definition of a motor vehicle or have been declared not to be a motor vehicle and you can use them without registration or a driver's licence.

Electric scooters or e-scooters. An electric scooter is designed in the style of a traditional push scooter, with a footboard, two or three wheels, a long steering handle and an electric auxiliary propulsion motor. In order to meet the requirements for a low-powered vehicle, the wheels must not exceed 355mm and the motor must have a maximum power output not exceeding 300W.

Please note: the maximum possible wattage stated of the electric motor is not necessarily the same as the maximum power output of the e-scooter. Maximum power output is determined by multiplying the battery voltage by the controller’s maximum amperage output. For example, a 600W motor and a 12V battery with a controller that has a maximum output of 21amps creates a maximum power output of 252W – so 252W is the relevant figure, even though the motor has a potential output of 600W.

E-scooters can be used on the footpath or the road – except in designated cycle lanes that are part of the road (which were designed for the sole use of cyclists).

On the footpath the user must:

• Operate the device in a careful and considerate manner
• Operate the device at a speed that does not put other footpath users at risk
• Give way to both pedestrians and drivers of mobility devices.

On the road, e-scooters must be operated as near as practicable to the edge of the roadway. A helmet is not legally required to be worn when using an e-scooter, but is recommended.'

But then this Gazette (notice) was published (very quietly) on 18th September 2018. This was just prior to the launch of Lime Scooters in Auckland, and we feel it was perhaps lobbied by the operators of Lime to facilitate the launch (That's just our opinion, Lime, please don't sue us!):

Electric Scooter and Bikes are NOT to be considered waterproof, and all manufacturers without exception state that ‘Water damage will void your warranty’.

So how ‘water resistant’ are they, then?  

Almost all scooters and bikes carry an IP rating, as a measure of their resistance to Dust (the first digit) and Water (the second digit). So an IP56 rating means resistance 5 to dust, and resistance 6 to water.

This rating is gained by the manufacturer in independent testing. An X means ‘not assessed’ for that classification, i.e. IPX5 means ‘not assessed for dust, assessed ‘5’ for water.

Testing is standardised and done in a laboratory. For example, IPX5 rating means resistant to ‘Low-pressure water jets from any direction’.

We advise you of the IP rating we have been given by the manufacturer. We have NOT independently tested and verified it ourselves. In reality, we have found considerable variance between scooters of the same rating, and even among the same model of scooters, in real-world scenarios. They are nearly always LESS WATERPROOF.

Our Real-World advice as a retailer is ‘Avoid exposure to water wherever possible, and minimise exposure when unavoidable’. Meaning:

• Sit out heavy downpours under shelter. Avoid riding in these conditions.
• Do NOT leave your scooter outside in the rain 
• Do NOT ride through standing water
• And absolutely NEVER expose your scooter to salt water. It's a killer!

The takeaway here is that a higher IP rating is likely to be RELATIVELY more weatherproof, RELATIVE to other scooters. But true waterproofing is still not a reality, and we strongly advise that you take any IP rating with a large pinch of salt and do not 100% rely on it. Take additional measures such as waterproof covers and shelters in adverse weather, and consider the train, bus, an Uber or a lift from a mate if the weather turns wet on you.  We look forward to a time when all scooters are 100% waterproof, but that time is not yet, and this advice comes to you based on many years of experience and seeing the real-world effects of water damage on scooter electronics!

Maximum Achievable Range: Important notes:

The maximum range is a figure provided by the manufacturer, and is usually based on a 60kg max rider, on a flat track in ideal conditions e.g. no wind, constant speed. Real-world factors like hills, heavy acceleration, higher speeds and heavier riders will heavily impact the achievable range. For a more accurate figure of range expectation for you personally, refer to this calculator

https://electrotraveller.com/electric-scooter-range-calculator/

Where can you ride? Important things to consider:

Laws and enforcement of those laws affecting use of personal electric vehicles (scooters, ebikes, electric motorbikes) are subject to change in NZ. To the letter of the law at the time of this updated notice (April 2025), The NZTA advises vehicles producing over 300w power output are not compliant to use on public roads, pavements and cycleways. The degree to which that is enforced seems to vary a lot, and from experience, seems to depend on how the vehicle is operated. Public and personal safety are considerations to take seriously. ALL our products are sold on the basis that the new owner takes full responsibility and liability for the operation of their vehicle, and Electric Scooter Shop Limited, its owners and its staff take no liability for the use of any product purchased from us. That means that technically the majority of products are sold ‘off-road use only’. 

How can you help?

We have engaged with the NZTA via the Minister For Transport with a proposal that all power output restrictions and classifications become nullified in favour of a speed-limit regime across all areas in which ebikes and escooters can operate. We feel it is far more easily enforceable, and does not prejudice those who need a little extra power to get themselves around, whether that be through being a bigger rider, or living somewhere not dead flat (which is most of New Zealand). We invite you to also advocate through your local MP and also the AA (who have made an almost identical proposal under their own volition) to push for more favourable regulation of our preferred means of transport. We know we are doing the right thing!

Riding Safely:

At the time of writing (April 2025), helmets are not compulsory for escooter use. We do however VERY strongly recommend use of a helmet at all times, preferably a full-face option for maximum protection, as well as use of gloves and full-length protective clothing. NEVER take your hands off the handlebars when operating your scooter, and ‘share with care’ wherever you ride.