From Checkerspot: Charged up ride

“Miloshev says his typical customers are young and active commuters, who like dodging traffic jams at speeds up to 32 kilometres an hour without breaking a sweat. And sales are up thanks to public concern about global warming and ecology. Five years ago, fewer than a thousand were sold across Canada. Last year was a “turnaround year” with sales totalling about 20,000. Priced from $500 to $1,800, these scooters are becoming a popular alternative for drivers looking to downsize fuel costs, carbon emissions and parking tickets.

Depending on rider weight, most electric scooters run 20 to 50 kilometres on a charge of one kilowatt hour. The cost to your utility bill? Between 5 and 10 cents. Your carbon contribution for those kilowatt hours is a tiny fraction of what comes out of a car’s tailpipe.”