What is the Difference between an Electric Scooter and an Electric Wheelchair?
How to Decide Which Type of Mobility Equipment is Right for You
Once you decide to take charge of your life and increase your personal freedom through the
use of mobility equipment, you need to choose your equipment. A frequent source of confusion involves the differences between an electric scooter
and an electric wheelchair.
Although both options are battery powered vehicles that enhance your mobility, scooters are different from wheelchairs. Areas in which
the two types of equipment differ include stability, power, speed, maneuverability, and weight. How you intend to travel will determine which is
best for you, or whether you need both.
Electric Medical Scooters
Battery power scooters are heavier and more stable than electric wheelchairs, meaning that they can be used on outdoor terrain. They have 3 to
4 wheels and bicycle-like handlebar steering. Popular models at ComfortChannel.com include the EV Rider Superlight 2 and the Medline Strider Midi
4. Scooters reach speeds of about 8 mph.
Advantages: Stable and durable design that allows for easy outdoor travel. Some models are adaptable enough for use indoors and
outdoors. The smaller compact models easily fit into vehicles so that they can be transported.
- Disadvantages: Larger scooter models could be unwieldy indoors. They should not be used for seating inside
vehicles.
Electric Wheelchairs
Battery-powered electric wheelchairs are lighter than scooters, and have four to six wheels. Their top speed is usually around 4-5
mph.
- Advantages: Electric wheelchairs have an excellent turning radius, making them maneuverable and easy to control.
Wheelchairs can be safely attached to the inside of a vehicle to use as seating. They are easily steered with a joystick-type controller.
Furthermore, their seats accommodate a variety of positions for extra comfort.
- Disadvantages: Electric wheelchairs cannot usually be broken down for easy transportation. They do not have the
necessary stability to travel on grass or uneven surfaces.
By determining how you intend to travel, you can make an informed decision about the type of mobility equipment that is best for you.
Recommended Source:
SpinLife.com - has the right mobility scooter or electric wheelchair for your needs. Tens of thousands of customers annually can't be wrong!
Their volume buying allows them to offer new manual wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, electric mobility scooters, wheelchair and scooter
lifts, and lift chairs at the lowest possible prices everyday. They carry all the top brands including Invacare, Sunrise Medical, Quickie,
Pride Mobility, Drive Medical, TiLite, ROHO and many more.
See Also: Enjoying Your Disabled Mobility Scooter
| 
