Using the Small EV

I write this as a joke, rather than as a serious post. I have access to two EVs. The first is a Fiat 500 that has a potential range of 180-200 kilometres although in Switzerland with the hills and more the range is theoretical, rather than practical. The second option is much smaller and can be taken in a lift or on a train. That is an e-scooter. By e-scooter I mean one of those that you can stand on.

I see plenty of people using them. I see some people go from at least Arnex-Sur-Nyon to Nyon, and other places. I have tried to do the same but I can’t get over how uncomfortable I feel when cars are behind me, waiting to overtake.

As I had to get food for two days today, rather than three or four, I thought “Time to use the e-scooter, for once.” I was overtaken by a normal e-bike and a cargo e-bike.

It feels strange to me to ride an e-scooter. It feels strange not to be able to speed up. Once I’m at ‘20’ that’s it. I can’t go any faster. In practice you’re meant to ride them on the road, not pavements. You can also use them in bike lanes. The issue, as I have highlighted above, is that you’re slower than bikes, and cars.

Years ago I used a foot scooter all the time. I used it so often that the wheels got worn out. This was a human powered one, rather than electric. It was really fun. It required me to make an effort, and when I didn’t, it was fun when going down hills. One of the most interesting was from Grand Saconnex down towards Place Des Nations. That’s a long, wide, interesting descent.

You don’t get that experience with an electric scooter. You push two or three times, get it to 20, and after two or three seconds it beeps and will cruise at that speed.

And finally, if I rode the e-scooter more often I would get used to the sensations I get. It’s because I ride it once every few weeks that I have a different attitude. It’s more energy efficient than driving around a fiat 500, especially for short distances of two kilometres. If I found the right route then this would be a much better option.