The 2022 Guide To Buying an E-Scooter or E-Ride This Christmas
With the festive season underway already, you may be thinking about stocking up on Christmas presents for the family (or yourself). Electric scooters & electric rides in general are popular Christmas gifts, and 2022 has proven to be no different as people snap up one scooter for themselves, and a second one for their children. As ever, the choice of potential rides is expansive, but with shortages & bad weather affecting retail & delivery, you now have to factor in whether your presents will arrive in time as well.
To help you choose quickly, we’ve compiled a list of the electric scooters & rides that are on the top of everyone’s letters to Santa that are available for delivery in time for Christmas.
Let’s snow! (Get it?? It’s like Let’s Go but with Snow instead of Go. Hard-hitting journalism at Electric Kicks…)
Contents
- Electric Scooters for Adults
- Electric Scooters for Kids
- Aventon Electric Bikes
- Electric Rides for Adults
- Electric Rides for Kids
- Christmas Buying Advice
Electric Scooters
Electric scooters are taking off. Granted, we say this every year, but that’s because it’s true. With each passing year, the popularity & demand of e-scooters increases. This is helped by a general increase in quality, versatility, and practicality across the e-scooters range, which has helped make them a genuine alternative to other methods of transportation for many around Australia.
But it’s important to remember that just like cars, e-scooters vary widely in terms of performance, and what’s right for you may be different from what’s right for your partner or children.
Best Christmas E-Scooters for Adults
Buying for yourself, a partner, older family member or a friend? Here are the best e-scooters available in Australia right now.
Apollo Air 2022
The Apollo Air 2022 has only been available in Australia for roughly three weeks, and the initial run sold out entirely during that time. As a significantly-improved successor to the Apollo Air Pro of 2021, the Air 2022 features a more powerful 500W motor, a higher top speed of 34 kph, a longer range of 50 km thanks to its improved battery, app integration, & upgraded brakes. Moreover, Apollo was able to add all these upgrades without increasing the overall unit weight that made the Air a practical e-scooter in the first place.
Due to its sheer popularity, you may find it is tricky to get one in time for Christmas if you live outside of Victoria due to limited availability & longer shipping times, but if you’re happy to wait a little longer, the Air 2022 represents fantastic value-for-money.
Apollo Ghost 2022
Having freshly-claimed the title of Electric Scooter Insider’s Best Dual Motor E-Scooter of the Year, the Apollo Ghost has been a staple of the Apollo e-scooter range and a fan favourite among the Electric Kicks team & customers alike.
With dual 1,000W electric motors powering the ride up to 60kph and enough battery life to get you 63 km on a single charge, the Ghost is actually the pinnacle of value-for-money in the dual motor e-scooter category. Rugged & well-built, you can also expect front & rear suspension, front & rear disc brakes plus regenerative braking, an above-average 135 kg carry limit, and the ability to climb hills of up to 25 degrees.
There are many reasons why we continue to recommend the Apollo Ghost to a variety of customers, so if you want a dual motor electric scooter in time for Christmas, this is the one for you.
Apollo Phantom V2
If you love the Apollo Ghost but want something a little more hardcore, then the Phantom is for you. It also has dual motors, but those motors carry an increased combined wattage of 2,400W or 2,800W depending on whether you choose the 52V or 60V version. Both will put you comfortably between 60 - 70 kph, while the battery will keep you running for up to 64 km per charge.
The main difference between the 52V & 60V versions is torque and acceleration. While both perform significantly better in both fields than most e-scooters, the 60V has a faster acceleration, and better pulling power up hills.
Outside of that, both come with a large, clear LCD display, front & rear spring suspension, disc brakes, full lighting, strong neck, reliable controllers, and can support a rider weight of up to 136 kg.
Segway-Ninebot Max G30P
Having been around for a while now, if you’ve spent any time researching electric scooters it’s unlikely that you’ve never heard of the Segway-Ninebot Max. They are, without doubt, the most popular electric scooter in Australia, so you’ve probably seen them in the flesh if you’ve spent any time in a metro area.
The G30P is an excellent e-scooter despite its older age. Segway does reliability very well, so if you’re looking for something reasonably tame that will never let you down, get yourself one of these.
Sporting a 350W motor with a peak output of 750W, you can expect the G30P to reach comfortable speeds of 30 kph. The G30P excels in terms of range, however, reaching 65 km range on a single charge. Moreover, you’ll get app integration, self-healing tyres, mechanical & regenerative braking, IP54 water resistance, 20 degree climb ability, and all-round leading build-quality.
Undoubtedly a ride that will go down in the e-scooter hall of fame, the Segway Ninebot Max G30P is still a fantastic piece of kit that will last you years to come.
Fiido Q1
The Fiido Q1 surprised us - here was an electric scooter that looked nothing like the e-scooters we were used to. It had a seat. It had baskets. It had large wheels, tall handlebars, and pegs sticking out the side for your feet. It looked totally different from our line-up, and we were all here for it.
After one ride we fell in love. It’s not the most powerful e-scooter by some way with a top speed of 25 kph thanks to its 250W motor, but what we got was a very comfortable & practical ride. It was ideal for short trips to the shops & back, or camping, and we even rode it to work a few times. We were surprised at just how convenient the Q1 was, and even with its lower centre-of-gravity, it felt well-made and stable.
Its real point-of-difference is the amount of accessories that ship with the Q1. In every box you can expect a rear metal rack, a fabric central basket that sits within the frame, and a front fabric bag that fits to the handlebars. If that wasn’t enough, you also get a second seat attachment designed to carry children.
It’s a great little e-scooter and fantastic value-for-money. A surprisingly-good ride all round.
Segway-Ninebot GT Series
Weighing in at 48 kg, the GT Series from Segway Ninebot won’t be the most subtle of presents underneath the tree and you should expect to fell a forest to get enough wrapping paper to cover the box. The GT is a behemoth of a ride. Being Segway’s most powerful & technologically advanced e-scooter to date, the GT carries a price point that undeniably shows how much you love the person for whom you're buying it, but what a ride you’ll be getting for that money. With speeds of between 60 & 70 kph between the GT 1 & GT 2, you’ll also be getting a range from 70 to 90 km per charge.
Factor in strong front & rear suspension, traction control, cruise control, double-piston front & rear hydraulic brakes, app integration, 6 different riding modes, rapid acceleration, and customisable atmospheric lighting, the GT is brimming with cool tech that makes it such an alluring ride. Plus, you’ll be getting Segway’s signature reliability.
Not ideal for first time riders or kids, we’d suggest this one is reserved for people who love going above and beyond at Christmas. (You know, the sort of person that always ignores the office Secret Santa limit…). Buy it for yourself, buy it for someone else - it doesn’t really matter: you’ll be the proud owner of a piece of electric scooter history.
Best Christmas E-Scooters for Kids
Kids love gadgets and toys at Christmas, so an electric scooter is a perfect blend of both. Let’s take a look at the best electric scooters for the junior riders among us.
Segway-Ninebot Zing E8
The Zing E8 is the pinnacle of electric scooters designed for children. Ideal for kids up to the age of 10, the E8 is adept at giving kids the opportunity to go on their own adventures without being overwhelming. With a 10km range, the E8 won’t be taking kids too far from home, however, and a 14 kph top speed will prevent any high-speed accidents.
A triple braking-system, a slip resistant deck, speed limiters & front suspension all come as standard, and while we recommend adult supervision at all times, the E8 is an ideal and price-friendly Christmas present that’ll last a while.
It also comes in a range of colours to suit your kid’s style, including purple-blue, red, & pink.
Segway-Ninebot Zing C20
If you’re buying for an older child between the ages of 11 & 16, then the Zing C20 is a great option. Sporting a more mature look with its red and black paint job, the C20 also carries a larger motor & battery.
Pushing out a top speed of 16 kph for a range of around 20 km, the Zing C20 is better for more adventurous children looking for a greater level of independence.
It comes equipped with a thumb throttle, solid rubber tyres to eliminate punctures, an IPX4 water resistance rating, and a foot-activated brake over the rear wheel.
Apollo Light
The Apollo Light is better for older kids who already have experience riding electric scooters. Ideal for the 16 -18 group of children, the Apollo Light is one of the few electric scooters with an adjustable stem that allows you to increase or decrease the height of the handlebars. This is ideal for kids that are growing rapidly as it ensures the scooter will be the right height for the rider over the years.
With a top speed of 35 kph and a range of 35km, the Light is great for kids to experience their first real independence. With front & rear suspension, a trigger-throttle, a 100kg rider weight limit, front & rear lights, and regenerative electric braking, the Light is also the most specced-up kids scooter on this list.
Perfect for older kids and some younger adults, the Light is a great e-scooter for someone who wants an easy-going ride that has a bit of a kick without being unstable.
Aventon Electric Bikes
As the newest brand of electric bike available in Australia, Aventon has been attracting attention from first-time to experienced eBike enthusiasts for all the right reasons. What you get versus what you pay for these unique electric bikes is unlike any other e-bike available in Australia today. They represent phenomenal value for money, but they are far from a budget brand. You’re getting a well-built & powerful ride packed with features, attractive styling, and great performance.
Every Aventon eBike is brilliant, so instead of listing all of them (you’ll find a full breakdown of the range here), we’ll talk about what is proving most popular this Christmas.
Aventon Level.2
The Level.2 is Aventon’s newest e-bike, and serves as a culmination of everything Aventon has learned over its years of electric bike manufacturing. It has everything you need and a whole bunch of stuff you want all at a price point that you simply won’t find with other e-Bike brands.
It’s advertised as the ultimate commuter e-bike, and that description is apt. With a 500W rear hub motor, thumb throttle, and 5 pedal assist modes controlled by Aventon’s first torque-sensor, you’re getting a fluid & intuitive ride that doesn’t wear you out on the way to work. Hybrid tyres & front suspension eat up all the bumps in the road, while integrated front & rear lights ensure you can see where you’re going at all times.
As a point-of-difference in the market, the Level.2 also comes with front & rear metal fenders in the box, and a metal rear rack for carrying bags & other accessories.
While the most expensive of the Aventon range, it is the most technologically-advanced as well, but we challenge you to find a better commuter electric bike with the same features & specs as the Level.2 that even comes close to the same price.
Even though it has only been available in Australia for a few weeks, and globally for a couple of months, the Level.2 is already being tipped as one of the best electric bikes in the world.
Aventon Soltera
The Aventon Soltera is a beautiful ebike. So beautiful, in fact, that you wouldn’t be blamed for not realising it’s an eBike at all. A sleek & streamlined design would be almost indistinguishable from a regular road bike if it weren’t for the colour LCD screen & thicker down tube that accommodates the Soltera’s battery.
The Soltera is the lightest of the Aventon range, weighing in at just 20 kg. As it doesn’t carry the same weight as the other Aventon bikes, it doesn’t need the same power of motor either so you can expect it to ship with a still above-average 350W motor built into the rear wheel.
With the same thumb throttle & 5 pedal assist modes you’ll find on most of the Aventon range, the Soltera has the same level of features & technology despite its lower price point. Because of this, the Soltera has actually become one of the most popular of the Aventon range, and understandably so.
Featuring a top speed of 32 kph & a range of 66 km on a single charge, the Soltera is a perfect ebike for cycling enthusiasts that want a high-performance ride that doesn’t take all of the challenge out of cycling. It is also a great ebike for commuters as it can be accessorised with storage racks as well.
Aventon Aventure
As the name suggests, the Aventure is Aventon’s entry into the world of more versatile electric bikes. Thick, robust tyres provide grip on a variety of surfaces including snow & sand, while a forged aluminium frame keeps the ride very stable.
With a weight of 33 kg, the Aventure is certainly the heaviest of the Aventon range, but for that, you’ll be getting an incredibly well-built ride that comes with front & rear fenders as standard.
Its 500W rear hub motors puts out a 45 kph top speed when on the maximum pedal assist, while its battery is capable of providing 72 km of range per charge. While not promoted as a mountain bike largely due to its higher weight, the combination of front suspension, fat tyres, & powerful hydraulic disc-brakes makes this an ideal off-roader.
It’s great for those who like to venture away from roads, such as campers, nature photographers, or those who believe the journey is just as important as the destination.
Best Electric Rides For Adults This Christmas
If you’ve already got an electric scooter or bike, and you’d like to know what else the world of personal electric vehicles has to offer, take a look at the most popular electric rides this Christmas.
Segway-Ninebot S-Pro (MiniPro)
The S-Pro is great for two reasons: it’s fun, and it can be used by riders of all ages. Generally, there is quite a difference between electric rides designed for children & those designed for adults, but the S-Pro is surprisingly easy to learn for all rider ages. While this makes it easy to ride around cities & get to work, it’s also great fun for the wider family as well.
Capable of doing 20 kph with a range of 25 km per charge, the S-Pro also features front & rear lights, app connectivity, and dual 800W motors based inside the wheels.
It’s a lot of fun, whether that be between the train station & work or just zipping around the local suburbs. If you’re looking for a justifiable gift for someone else that you really know is going to be a gift for yourself, the S-Pro is practical, versatile & affordable.
Sur-Ron Light Bee X 2022
Being an electric dirt bike, the Sur-Ron has a niche following in Australia. Riders love the 75 kph top speed, the powerful 6,000W motors, and the general look & feel of the ride.
And what incredible fun it is, too. While it can’t be legally ridden on public roads (check out the Light Bee L1E if this matters to you), it has proven to be great on large open spaces such as forest trails & farmland.
It is a little hard to get hold of one at the moment as only a limited number made it to Australia in time for Christmas, so if you see one available, make sure to jump on it quickly. They aren’t the fastest to ship given their weight, so make sure to order well in advance of Christmas if you can.
Best Electric Rides For Kids This Christmas
This one is easy - there is only one ride the kids want this Christmas.
Segway-Ninebot Go Kart Pro Lamborghini Edition
If you want to buy your kid’s love, do it in style with the Lamborghini go kart from Segway. Oozing with cool factor & bright yellow paint, the go kart is fantastic fun. From its LCD speedometer, fast acceleration, & drifting handbrake, to the speaker that plays the sounds of a V10 or V12 Lamborghini engine as you accelerate, you’ll find the Go Kart is the best way to be parent-of-the-day this Christnas.
If you want to justify the purchase in terms of practicality, the engine of the go kart is actually a Segway-Ninebot S-Max that can be removed from the go kart body & used on its own. The S-Max is a great little ride that can be used for short trips or commutes, so when you buy the Lamborghini go kart, you also get the S-Max as well.
But let’s be honest, you’re not buying the go kart for the S-Max. You’re buying it because this is the coolest electric ride on the market right now. Tell yourself it’s for your kids all you like - we all know who it’s for, and we don’t blame you. Almost guaranteed to sell out, so we suggest you get yours now.
Christmas Buying Advice
Whether you’re bought from us before, or if this will be your first time, here are some things you should keep in mind when buying an e-scooter or e-ride this Christmas.
Shipping Times
This year, we’ve seen a variety of bad weather affect shipping times both in terms of getting items into the country and shipping those items to customers. While we ship our products through express couriers where possible, Australia Post has recommended that all orders to Queensland & Western Australia should be placed by 5th December to avoid disappointment. Orders to NSW should be placed by the 8th December, while orders placed within Victoria should be placed by the 20th December.
If you’re lucky enough to live in Victoria, you can also Click & Collect from our Vermont warehouse up until Christmas Eve.
Sadly, as we can’t control how quickly a product is delivered once it leaves our outlet, we can’t offer guarantees that your presents will arrive by Christmas. As such it’s best to get in as soon as possible.
Keep Your Packaging
We all know the excitement of opening Christmas presents, and unfortunately the packaging is nowhere near as interesting as what is found inside. It’s tempting to rip the packaging to shreds to get your new electric ride, but we suggest you open the box carefully so as not to cause any damage. While we fully expect you to love your ride, should you need to send it back because of change-of-mind, you’ll need the packaging in good condition to do so.
Stock Can Be Limited
As we mentioned right at the beginning, we’re expecting this Christmas to be the biggest yet. While we’ve stocked up on a whole bunch of e-scooters, bikes, & rides, keep in mind that we can’t hold stock for anyone and it is unlikely we’ll be able to replenish sold-out goods before Christmas. If you are tossing up between rides, feel free to speak to our e-ride specialists to help you decide.
For the Adults - Don’t Drink & Ride
It wouldn’t be an Australian Christmas without a copious amount of drinks around the barbeque. Unfortunately, riding electric scooters and rides while under the influence is both dangerous and illegal, so if you’re choosing a glass of chilled sauvignon blanc or a frosty beer, avoid using your ride until you’ve sobered up.
Some Pre-Ride Maintenance
Most rides come assembled, but you may have to do some light assembly & due diligence before anyone uses the ride. For the most part, you’ll need to fit your handlebars & pump up your tyres, and we recommend going over all the nuts and bolts to ensure they are properly tightened as well. Be careful of over-tightening, though. If it feels like you’re putting too much force into it, you probably are.
If you’ve ordered an Aventon e-Bike, there is a full catalogue of set-up videos available online that we’ll send to you when you purchase.
Not Sure What to Choose?
If you’re buying for the first time, our team of e-ride specialists know all our rides inside-out and can help you choose the perfect gift for yourself or your family. To get the best help, simply give a call on 1300 054 257 to be put through, and Get Your Kicks this Christmas.