Segway-Ninebot: MAX vs ES2

UPDATE [6 Aug 2019]: The PMD safety certification deadline has been moved forward to July 2020. All non-UL2272 certified devices will be auto-deregistered and cannot be used in public after July 2020. Users can continue to ride only UL2272 certified PMDs beyond the July 2020 deadline.

Segway-Ninebot’s most powerful e-scooter, the Segway-Ninebot MAX, is about to reach our shores. With all that hype it has garnered on its Indiegogo crowd funding page, we want to know how the MAX e-scooter compares to its popular predecessor, the Segway-Ninebot ES2.

Max Range and Speed 

The Segway-Ninebot ES2 has a maximum distance range of up to 25km. Its maximum speed is 25km/h which complies with the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) safety requirements for e-scooters in Singapore. There is, however, the option to add on an external battery to extend its mileage from 25km to 45km.

Unlike the ES2 kickscooter, MAX’s strength is in its super long mileage per full charge. In fact, at a whopping 65km, it has the longest maximum range out of all the e-scooters made by Segway-Ninebot.

As for the Segway MAX’s maximum speed, you might have come across the US model that can go up to 30km/h. However, the Singapore model has a top speed of 25km/h as it is designed to be LTA compliant. It is also UL2272 certified by TUV Rheinland and sports the TUV logo that is recognised by LTA.

Do note US model of the Segway-Ninebot MAX available on Indiegogo is not LTA approved because of its maximum speed. The EU model, although has a maximum speed of 25km/h, is not UL2272 certified. This means neither the US model or EU model of the Segway-Ninebot MAX cannot be registered with LTA and will thus be illegal to ride on public roads.  If you want to take advantage of the Ninebot MAX’s superior range, you will have to purchase the Singapore model of the MAX, available for pre-order online at www.OhMyBike.com

Different UL2272 certification logo

The UL2272 certification logo is given to PMDs that have undergone strict testing to ensure that they have met the requirements of the UL2272 safety standards. The tests are done to ensure that the e-scooters are more resistant to fire and electrical accidents. 

The ES2 carries the CSA logo while the MAX has the TUV Rheinland logo. Both of these logos are LTA approved as well. 

If you are purchasing the ES2 or the MAX, make sure you look out for these UL2272 certification logos. Without the logo, you will not be able to register your PMD. It is considered an offence to ride a non-registered and non-UL2272 certified e-scooter on public paths in Singapore.

Power

The ES2 has a 300W front brushless motor, which provides better acceleration than some of the other lightweight e-scooters around. 

Similarly, the MAX has a 350W motor, which is a little more than the ES2. It gives the e-scooter a more sustainable propulsion for different road conditions. 

Comfort

A comfortable riding experience is very important for e-scooter riders especially if you are using it frequently for daily commute or as a GrabFood or Deliveroo rider. 

The ES2 features 8-inch tubeless pneumatic tyres while the MAX features 10-inch tubeless pneumatic tyres that are shock absorbing. This makes them both comfortable to ride smoothly even on rough roads. They also have front and rear suspension to make the e-scooters more stable when riding on speed bumps. 

Segway-Ninebot also recently released information on the Ninebot MAX’s self-healing tyres. These tyres contain a sealant that will automatically plug a puncture of up to 6mm in diameter while you are on the go.

Portability

Both the Segway-Ninebot ES2 and MAX use the same one-step folding system that makes them extremely easy to travel with. The compactness of the e-scooters when folded allows them to be stored away easily in places like your car boot. 

The difference in their portability is that the ES2 weighs only 12.5kg, while the MAX weighs 18.9 kg. The ES2 is light enough to be carried single-handedly, making it the ideal lightweight travel companion as it can be brought on board public transport as well.

Even though the MAX weighs a little heavier than the ES2, it is great for people who are looking for a heavy-duty e-scooter to use for delivery services (e.g. GrabFood, Deliveroo and FoodPanda). Both the e-scooters also have a max load of 100kg which will allow riders to take on more orders each trip!

The MAX also comes with a built-in charger which means that there is less to carry. All you need is to take with you the pocketable cord and you will be able to recharge your e-scooter on the go.

Endurance

High-quality Lithium-Ion batteries are used for both the ES2 and MAX. These batteries should last for about 500 to 1000 charge cycles. That’s an estimated 2 to 3 years of regular, daily usage!

Both of them also have sturdy bodies made with an aviation-grade aluminium alloy frame that allows them to carry up to 100kg of weight load.  

The MAX is also designed for scooter sharing platforms in the US like Lime and Skip, which is why the robust design helps the scooter withstand any consumer mishandling in the sharing market. This also means that it will also be able to last for a long while if well taken care of and use for personal rides only.

Specs Overview

Here’s a summary of how the brand new Segway-Ninebot Kickscooter MAX fairs against the Segway-Ninebot ES2:

	Segway-Ninebot MAX	Segway-Ninebot ES2
Price	Pre-Order Full Cash Payment: $999    (U.P. $1199)   Or   $200 cash or credit card downpayment	NOW: $649   (U.P. $799)
Max Range	65km	25km
Max Load	100kg	100kg
Weight	18.9kg	12.5kg
Battery	551Wh 15Ah 36V	187Wh 5.2AH 36V
Motor	350W Front Brushless Motor	300W Front Brushless Motor
Wheels	10-inch tubeless self-healing pneumatic tyres	8-inch tubeless pneumatic tyres

 
Conclusion

Pitting them against each other, it might seem like the MAX wins on overall performance, with its super long distance range, it’s motor power and upgraded tyres. It’s a heavy duty beast of an e-scooter that would be perfect for anyone looking to go the distance with their e-scooter, or anyone using it for work purposes (especially for food delivery!). The 65km long mileage is a huge advantage for delivering orders to far destinations and allows you to take on multiple orders continuously without having to stop and recharge. 

That said, while both the ES2 and the MAX can take on a maximum load of 100kg and can be folded easily in one click, the ES2 is significantly more lightweight in design. This makes it better suited to the everyday rider looking to zip to their nearest MRT station to catch the train.

In short, the MAX and ES2 serve different purposes in their design and specifications. Depending on what you are using the e-scooter for, take your pick on what will be the best for you. 

Both the ES2 and MAX are available at www.OhMyBike.com. The ES2 is going for $649 (U.P. $799) while you can pre-order the MAX at $999 (U.P. $1,199). 

Stocks for the MAX are estimated to arrive in mid-September.