The primary purpose of a mobility scooter is to provide complete independence to the
disabled or elderly. However, a search in the market will tell you how a mobility scooter
can be expensive. The assistive vehicle often comes with multiple subtle components,
which have a significant effect on the overall cost. The average cost of a mobility
scooter is about $1,500.
Depending on the settings and the manufacturer, the price will
move between $600 to up to $3,000 per unit. What are the reasons why mobility
scooters are so pricy? This article highlight factors that lead to the high costs of mobility
scooters.
Why Mobility Scooters so Expensive?
Type and design – The type and model of a mobility scooter will affect its retail price.
When you’re shopping for a mobility scooter, you’re likely to come across various
options. For example, travel mobility scooters tend to be the most affordable in the
market. Travel mobility scooters are designed for basic uses in areas such as
sidewalks. This lightweight scooter is easy to disassemble and has a decent battery
lifespan for its size, making it quite affordable.
On the other end of the highest cost are full-size and all-terrain mobility scooters designed and built for outdoor conditions. This is a heavyweight mobility scooter that can weigh up to 500 pounds, with a 20-30 mile range when fully charged. Other types are medium size, three-wheeled, and four-wheeled mobility scooters.
The battery – One of the most expensive parts of a mobility scooter is the battery. Your
mobility scooter’s performance will entirely depend on the performance of the battery.
It’s the battery that will give it the power and speed you need. Because most mobility
scooters have high amperage, they contribute to the high cost of acquiring one.
Moreover…
First-rate batteries such as those made from lithium-ion are expensive to manufacture
because they are made to last longer. These batteries are smaller in size but can hold
massive power, hence may contribute to up to 30% of the cost of a scooter.
Quality factor- A mobility scooter fitted with high-quality components can be quite pricy
in the market.
The purpose of a mobility scooter is to ensure you have complete
independence as far as your daily movement and activities are concerned. Therefore,
manufacturers ensure your mobility scooter is fitted with quality parts that can safely
take you from point A to point B with ease and convenience. Pricy mobility scooters are
fitted with better fabrications and durable materials.
Also read: What are the Impacts of Mobility Scooters on their Users?
Safety features – A mobility scooter, just like a motor vehicle, is often fitted with safety
features including wheel locks, trackers, ignition keys, safety alarms, and many more.
These features can a mobility scooter quite expensive.
Other factors that have been highlighted include the size of a mobility scooter, shipping
cost, and motor type. For example, a reliable motor can be quite costly to install, and
the cost is often transferred to the user.
Finally
A mobility scooter may be quite expensive, but it’s become very important for those with
mobility issues. However, the prices have been dropping over the last few years as
more manufacturers are entering the market leading to more competition. The price of
the battery, which significantly contributes to its cost, is also dropping over the last few
years.
