A Complete Guide to Mobility Scooter Expenses
An electric scooter is an effective way to resolve mobility issues. It helps you get around and can even replace a motor vehicle. This is a great way to ensure your independence, but many people don’t understand the associated costs.
Thankfully, My Own Wheels offers a variety of purchase options -starting as low as just $67 per month. However, that’s just to cover the upfront cost of the scooter, and there are other financial considerations, like insurance, maintenance, and charging. Conventional purchase options like financing can split your payment over time so you don’t have to pay up-front.
Paying up-front in cash or credit is an option, too. But before we get to how to pay for a scooter, let’s break down the real cost of an electric mobility scooter so you understand how much you’re paying and for what.
How much do mobility scooters cost?
There’s a wide range of mobility scooters designed for people with different needs. This includes foldable scooters, three-wheel, four-wheel, and high-weight-capacity scooters.
Each is best for a different use case, and they start as low as $779. At My Own Wheels, we split our catalog into 8 price groups separated by $500 increments.
- $500 - $1,000 Scooters
- $1,000 - $1,500 Scooters
- $1,500 - $2,000 Scooters
- $2,000 - $2,500 Scooters
- $2,500 - $3,000 Scooters
- $3,500 - $4,000 Scooters
- $4,000 - $5,000 Scooters
- Scooter that cost more than $5,000
You can also upgrade each scooter with a variety of options, like a storage cart or long-range battery. Pricing can go as high as $10,000 for luxury models with premium features like all-terrain wheels.
And that’s just the base price – you’ll also need to factor in shipping. Most of our models comes with free shipping, but other vendors may charge you separately - especially if the scooter is especially large or heavy.
The reason the price varies so widely is because each scooter is equipped with features for different types of users. Every use case and capability requires different components. And like a car, higher-quality components drive the price of a scooter in the same way Porsche automobiles cost more than most Toyotas.
Payment Options for Mobility Scooters
When you select your scooter, the full payment can be made up-front, so you don’t have to worry about paying bills later. We accept many forms of credit and debit cards, including Mastercard, Visa, American Express, JCB, and Discover.
We also accept Shop Pay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. These are all services offered by technology companies (Shopify, Apple, and Google, respectively) where you may have your credit cards already stored. Rather than having to enter all of your credit card and billing information for each order, these services allow you to pick the card on file and check out more seamlessly.
Lastly, you can finance the purchase and pay it off over time. At this time, we offer financing through Klarna. This type of financing is known as "buy now, pay later."
If approved by Klarna, you will be able to split your purchase into 4 payments so you can spread the cost of your purchase over time. During the application process, simply enter the credit or debit card of your choice for automatic payments every two weeks. No interest or added fees when you pay on time.
When financing a purchase through Klarna, there are three easy steps:
- Add item(s) to your cart and head to the checkout.
- Select Klarna at the checkout to pay as you like for your purchase.
- Manage your orders and payments in the Klarna app.
Payment plans can be under $100 per month, including all necessary coverages. If you want to space your scooter purchase over 4 months and keep it under a certain payment amount, use the "Payment" tab in our navigation above to find scooters that fit your budget.
The decision of how to pay is up to you, but you should consider all the associated costs before making the choice.
How much does it cost to have a scooter shipped?
Shipping can be expensive, and many scooter companies charge over $100 to deliver your new scooter. At MyOwnWheels.com, you’ll get free shipping within the continental United States on most orders (read shipping details here). Those that can’t be done for free will be delivered via discounted freight.
In the case of discounted freight, you’ll receive advance notice before being charged. Orders requiring freight shipping will be notified in advance of payment.
Accessories are charged a flat rate of $49.00 for shipping, and it can take between 5-10 days for you to receive your order. Once you have your scooter, you only need to cover the costs of charging and maintaining it.
Let's dive into the electricity costs.
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How much does it cost to charge an electric scooter?
Charging an electric scooter is an expense to consider.
Most electric scooters run on an included sealed lead-acid battery (or battery bank). This means you’ll need to be aware of how long these batteries last and their charging needs.
The cost of charging itself depends on your electricity costs, but there’s an easy way to calculate it:
- Multiply your battery voltage (typically 48v) by the battery’s amp/hr and divide by 1,000 to get your kilowatt/hours
- Multiply your kWh by your electricity rate to determine your cost per charge, which should be under $0.20
This puts the average annual cost to charge a scooter around $50-$70 assuming you charge the scooter once a day.
Beyond battery charging costs, remember that your battery will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. Batteries are actually one of the most expensive individual components of an electric scooter. It's the main reason electric cars are so expensive. Replacement batteries for mobility scooters range in price from $50 to over $100. Be sure to plan for these replacements proactively.
Of course, you’ll also need to understand the cost of repairing mobility scooters, which can be offset with an in-home service plan.
How much does it cost to service a mobility scooter?
Like a motor vehicle, your mobility scooter will require regular service. It can also break down, and that requires diagnostics to determine what the issue might be.
A qualified mobility scooter technician understands how to get you the best possible pricing for repairs and maintenance.
The best way to ensure you’re working with a trained and certified professional is to buy a one-year in-home service plan for $199 at the time you purchase your scooter.
If you elect not to buy a 1-year in-home service plan, you can use our network of qualified technicians at any time for in-home repair services to come to your home and troubleshoot any problems your scooter may be having. This ensures you don’t need to leave your home to repair your scooter. Instead, a certified service technician will come to you and diagnose and repair as necessary.
Keep in mind, when you buy a new scooter, its warranty will cover most replacement parts, and all mechanisms can be serviced and maintained. Check the warranty information for the manufacturer you're considering.
Conclusion
Mobility is freedom, but it does come with some costs. Those primary costs are purchasing a new vehicle, financing the scooter, maintaining it, adding any accessories, charging the battery, replacing any parts, and servicing the scooter to keep things working properly.
Once you pencil in how much you're willing to spend and in the future, feel free to give us a call at (800) 903-0946. We can help you use our scooter buying checklist to select the perfect scooter, and walk you through financing options that fit your situation.