Are 30-MPH Electric Scooters a Game-Changing Money Saver Compared to Cars? An Explosive Cost Breakdown!
1- Introduction
In today’s world of inflation, the maintenance costs, transportation expenses, and fuel prices of cars are taking the maximum portion of your budget. But on the other hand, the demand for eco-friendly alternatives is increasing simultaneously. Due to this demand, eco-friendly 30-mph electric scooters are rapidly making their name in the market as a perfect solution.
Many of you may raise the question of whether electric scooters are cheaper than cars or not. - The answer is yes. It has been proven by studies as well. The yearly car expenses including fuel, maintenance, and parking are expected to reach up to $23,973.02, as per the Statistic Research. However, on the other hand, the expense of maintaining an electric scooter over four years is approximately $8,500.82 averaging about $2,125.20 per year
By going through this guide, you can easily differentiate between the costs of owning an electric scooter vs a car.
Furthermore, to get more detailed knowledge about these efficient 30-mph e-scooters, through this informative piece of writing The Ultimate Guide to Buying 30-mph e-scooters.
2- Cost Comparison: The Advantages of Electric Scooters Over Cars
While purchasing an electric scooter, knowing and choosing the right product as per your needs matters alot. The major part of this decision depends on the total costs, including initial purchase costs and recurring maintenance costs over the period.
Below are the steps you can consider while comparing electric scooters and cars:
1- Upfront Purchase Costs
Car: Its cost varies on the type. Whether it is a used car or a new one. Usually in the market, a new car can cost between $25,000-$50,000. Whereas, the used car can go up to $33,000. They are much cheaper than the new ones. Moreover, if you happen to not manage this much money in hand, then you will have to suffer with an auto loan, with interest and fees of some thousands of dollars.
On average, the cost of a new car in the U.S. as of March 2024 is approximately $47,218. Non-luxury vehicles average around $44,052, while luxury vehicles can cost about $62,067 on average. In terms of used cars, as of early 2024, the average cost of a used car hovers around $26,510, as per CarEdge insights.
Electric scooters: If you’re a budget-conscious person, then this 30-mph Wide Wheel Pro electric scooter is perfect for you. In comparison to going through the hassle of visiting a gas station for your cars and then lining up in a queue, getting a 30-mph electric scooter is much easier and feasible. Not only that, they are affordable as well considering the price ranges from $700 to $1,300.
Let's break down the initial cost of buying these e-scooters.
Category |
Price Range |
Budget |
$300 – $700 |
Commuter |
$750 – $999 |
Performance |
$1,000 – $1,300 |
As a conclusion of this chart, we can say that electric scooters are much more affordable and convenient than cars.
2- Registration and Licensing Cost
Car: Purchasing an expensive car is one hectic thing but getting it registered is much more difficult, especially with the other expenses associated with car ownership. During this process, you first need to register your car and then pay the tax fee after a purchase. You have to pay different fees for various purposes included in the following table:
Category |
Cost (USD) |
Registration Taxes |
6.6% of Vehicle Value |
Flat Registration Fee |
$40-$115 |
Vehicle Registration & Taxes (New Car) |
$2,781 |
Driver License Fee |
$72 |
Moreover, it has been stated according to Mozo that car registration costs in metropolitan Victoria can be as high as $876.90.
Electric Scooter: The best thing about electric scooters is that they do not require any legal requirements. You can just go, purchase it, and ride it, which saves a lot of your time.
No Need for a license, or registration
No Bureaucratic Hassle: No need to do loads of paperwork and red tape which gives you a driver’s license, or register a vehicle
Cost Savings: No recurring cost of vehicle registration fees.
Please Note: The rules vary in some states, so always verify the specific regulations while purchasing the electric scooter.
Registration fees are another cost to take into consideration. Depending on where you live, car registration fees can cost as much as $285 per year. Altering your car with an electric scooter can reduce these annual expenses once and for all.
3- Fuel vs. Electricity Costs
Cars: Fuel costs are the most significant expense for car owners. Gas prices are surging across North America. While gas prices vary from state to state, the average American is going to spend $3,762.73 on gasoline in 2024.
The annual fuel cost for an average car owner in the U.S., assuming 15,000 miles driven per year, is around $1,840. Based on the average gas cost and typical fuel efficiency, this costs approximately $153.33 per month.
Electric Scooters: Unlike gas-guzzling cars, 30-mph e-scooters can be charged using electricity at home. On average, re-powering an e-scooter costs electric units as little as two to seven cents per charging session. This means you could power an electric scooter for as little as $12.66 a year. In this case, the best mini powerhouse 30-mph Mantis 8 Dual motor e-scooter is your best partner.
The average maximum range offered by our electric scooters is 55 km, so to cover 100 km, you need to charge the battery 1.82 times, which will only cost you approximately $0.93.
4- Maintenance and Repair Costs
Cars: The maintenance requirements for a car are considerably more complex and costly than that of an electric scooter.
On average, car maintenance can cost over $1,265 per year. While cars’ annual maintenance requirements also depend on how much you drive, they typically include: Regular oil changes, Battery replacements, Brake pad repairs, Tire replacements, etc.
Common Maintenance Costs
Note down these typical maintenance expenses for a car:
Repair Type |
Cost (USD) |
Oil Changes: $50 per change, four times a year |
$200 |
Transmission Fluid: $100 per service, once a year |
$100 |
Brake Pads: $150 per set, once a year |
$150 |
NerdWallet estimates that the average car owner pays about $121 per month in repair costs for a new vehicle.
Electric Scooters: When it comes to maintenance costs, electric scooters are the clear winners. Compared to the hefty expenses associated with car maintenance, electric scooter maintenance is manageable. Like other vehicles, e-scooters need minor maintenance and repairs. In this regard, Mantis 10 Lite, because of its strong and sturdy build, will never let you suffer long-time maintenance hassles.
Needed minor repairs like:
Repair Cost Breakdown
Repair Type |
Cost (USD) |
Minor Repairs (Calibration, Brake Pads) |
$35 - $75 |
Major Repairs (Wheel, Battery, Motor Replacement) |
$50 - $200 |
Based on experience testing, setting aside around $200 per year for your e-scooter servicing budget should be reasonable.
5- Parking Cost
Cars: Not every car owner considers parking fees when analyzing the costs of car ownership, but these accumulate and can amount to a substantial sum of money. American states are the most expensive for daily off-street parking, averaging $51.42 per day. If there are 48 working weeks in a year, this amounts to a whopping $12,340.80 per year on parking fees alone.
Wilson car parks range up from $22 per day. Street parking ranges from $2 to $3 per hour with max limits of 2 - 3 hours. If you are paying for parking in a reserved space you are looking at $4160.00 per year.
Electric scooter: With an electric scooter especially Zero 9, you have the convenience of folding it up at a dimension of 43.1 x 8.6 x 16.1 inches. Furthermore, you can store it in compact spaces such as under your desk, in a locker, or any other suitable storage area, which eliminates the need for expensive parking fees.
6- Accessories
Car: In 2022, U.S. consumers spent approximately $113.9 billion on motor vehicle parts and accessories, reflecting an 8.84% increase from the previous year. Car accessories can add significant costs to ownership. Here’s a quick comparison:
Essential Accessories: Floor mats, seat covers, and dash cams ($20-$300)
Safety & Security: GPS, alarms, and tire monitoring ($50-$600)
Convenience & Comfort: Sunshades, organizers, and heated seats ($10-$200)
Performance & Maintenance: LED headlights, roof racks, and tires ($50-$1,500)
Now, the cost can exceed $5,000+ over time if premium accessories get added.
E-scooter: For the safe side, it is also recommended to calculate the cost of accessories in the overall cost of a 30-mph electric scooter. The suggested amounts for accessories are as follows:
Category |
Cost (USD) |
Helmet |
$120 |
Light |
$60 |
Lock |
$100 |
Bag |
$50 |
Phone Holder |
$40 |
Summing up, if you purchase all the above accessories at once, then the total expenditure will be approximately $380. Mantis X Plus is well-known for swift urban commuting needs to bear these minimum accessories costs.
QUANTIFIED COST DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CARS AND ELECTRIC SCOOTERS
Expense |
Electric Scooter |
Car |
Initial Cost |
$500 – $3,000 |
$20,000 – $40,000 |
Maintenance |
$50 – $100 per year |
$500 – $1,000 per year |
Fuel |
Average of $5 per 1,000 miles |
Average of $1,200 per 1,000 miles |
Parking |
Free or low-cost |
Costs vary, typically $10 – $20 per day |
Conclusion
The initial cost of an electric scooter matters, but it’s also crucial to consider ongoing expenses like fuel, maintenance, and more. You need to plan out your budget before purchasing your 30-mph electric scooter. Simply put, investing in a 30-MPH electric scooter means embracing sustainability and effortless commuting.
Wanna unleash the power of a 30-mph electric scooter? Then, come and visit our collection of 30-mph e-scooters at our store now!