Can You Ride an E-scooter in the Rain? The Answer May Surprise You!

Cut to the chase, while a E-scooter can be severely damaged or rendered inoperable if fully submerged in water, riding it in rainy conditions is generally safe. The vehicle will continue to operate normally when used in wet weather, as long as it's not completely underwater. Simply traveling through rain on the scooter poses no risk to its functionality or the rider's safety.

Power mobility (electric) scooters were created to zip along for leisure commuting and riding. Since most of these scooters are water-resistant and splash-resistant, riding on occasional rainy days shall not matter, provided the rainfall is not heavy and you do not submerge your electric vehicle in waterlogged roads. 

Rain puddles are unsuitable for your e-scooter controller, motor, or gearbox, making the damage irreversible. Also, such repairs are not covered under warranty. So if the question of whether you can ride an electric scooter in the rain bothers you, ensure to neither ride them in the rain nor allow them to get wet. 

You'll be amazed to know that roughly 65% of electric scooters have no IP rating. 

This post deals with everything you must know about can e scooters get wet, safety considerations, IP ratings, reasons to avoid electric scooter rains, and more. So be in for a warm read and protect your electric scooters from any potential damage.  

Electric Scooter IP Rating

IP, also known as Ingress Protection, is the degree to which your electric scooter's internal parts are protected from dust and water splashes. For instance, it is a standard (international) that measures how well your ebike can resist dust and moisture without damaging the internal parts. So when you step out to purchase your electric scooters, ensure to check the IP ratings. 

 

IP Ratings consist of two numbers where the first number denotes resistance from solid objects, viz., dust, foreign bodies, etc. the second number represents resistance from liquid objects, viz., water - moisture, and sprinkles. Check this table for your IP rating numbers.

First Number	Dust Protection	Water Protection
4	Protected from solid objects over 1mm	X
5	Limited	X
6	Complete	X
Second Number
4	X	Protected from water splashes from all directions
5	X	Protected from the low-pressure water jets from all directions
6	X	Protected from high-pressure water jets from all directions
7	X	Protected from the short periods of immersion in water
8	X	Able to withstand long periods of immersion in water

Some common IP Rating examples include;

IP Ratings	Dust Protection	Water Protection
IP 54	Limited	Protected from water splashes from all directions
IP 55	Limited	Protected from the low-pressure water jets from all directions
IP 56	Limited	Protected from high-pressure water jets from all directions
IP 65	Complete	Complete protection from low-pressure water jets from all directions
IP 66	Complete	Complete protection from high-pressure water jets from all directions

Reasons to Avoid Riding Electric Scooter Rain

Riding an electric scooter rain during light showers isn't a significant issue, but rather a pleasant experience. However, you must be cautious about riding in heavy rainfall as it can adversely affect your e-scooter's electric system and future use. Consider these reasons the next time you step out to enjoy monsoons. 

1. Poor visibility: While a light sprinkle will cause no harm but when it downpours, even an electric scooter with a suitable IP rating cannot help with visibility and increase the chances of mishap. 

2. Water clogging causes severe damage: Despite your e scooter waterproof, it can get fully submerged due to water clogging and be seriously damaged permanently, leading to cease to work again, rendering it inoperable. So ensure to avoid riding on and over wet surfaces.

3. Battery and motor overwork: Rains result in moderately cold and wet weather, causing the battery and motor of your electric scooter to overwork and also affecting their longevity. 

4. Moisture harms your e-scooter's electric system: Besides water clogging, moisture, too, can harm your electric scooter's system and damage the vehicle battery along with the body. 

What Should You Do if Your Electric Scooter Gets Wet?

A wet electric scooter does not necessarily mean that it is totally broken, but if you see your electric scooter rain, ensure to act fast and park it in a shady area before the water damage gets worse over time. However, if your e scooter waterproof is considerably wet, ensure to work on the following elements.

1. Turn your electric scooter off 

Turn off and disconnect your electric scooter, and ensure removing all the accessories like external light, horn, etc. 

2. Complete dry out

If your electric scooter rains completely wet and stops working, thoroughly dry it out. Then park it in an indoor place that is air-conditioned with low humidity for a few days. 

3. Battery care in wet conditions

Don't turn your electric scooter on unless it dries out completely. And don't charge the battery to avoid worsening the situation. 

4. Open the battery slot

You must find the battery location and unscrew the screws to open up your e-scooter. For example, you can find the lithium battery in the deck or in the stem. 

5. Clean your electric scooter after you ride 

Clean your electric scooter thoroughly after the ride to ensure no dust particles have rested in the electric system of your scooter. 

Remove the visible water traces and let it dry completely and naturally by leaving it in a warm, dry place. You can keep it under the sun once the weather clears, but make sure not to expose the vehicle to a temperature over 50 degrees Celsius.

Electric Scooter Rain Safety Considerations

Whether your e scooter waterproof or riding an electric scooter rain is not very pleasant and safe compared to a bicycle as its wheels are much smaller. Hence, when you set out on a ride during drizzle or low rainfall, ensure to follow these safety considerations. 

Adapt to a Slow Speed  

Since the roads are wet and super slippery during and after rains, braking in an emergency can cause danger. It is better to ride at a slow speed than on usual days as wet roads and pavements have less grip, and braking distances will be longer. Even leaning slightly can catch you off guard, so avoid emergency braking, as doing so can result in you sliding and falling. 

Protect Your Electric Scooters

No matter if you have an expensive high-end e-scooter, thoroughly water resistant or e scooter waterproof still does not exist. Despite a good IP rating that allows rainy conditions, it can never be protected from damage. So try to avoid riding electric scooter rain, and even if you do, ensure you are visible to others to dodge any potential accidents and injury. 

Make Yourself Visible

Moist and wet weather often causes visibility issues, especially when it's raining. So always wear a reflex vest in the dark and especially during rain so as to ensure your visibility while riding an electric scooter to other drivers. 

The Bottom Line 

The answer to whether can you ride an electric scooter in the rain solely depends upon your scooter's IP rating and the amount of rainfall. While drizzling and light showers cause no damage to your e scooter waterproof battery and motor, you must save it from heavy water damage.

Avoid riding your e-scooters on wet terrains and water-clogged roads, and wear a helmet and other rain gear to ensure visibility and complete protection from accidents. And remember, if your electric scooter rain is wet, dry it out completely before the next use. 

Enjoy your pleasant monsoon ride!

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