The Segway ES2 is a classic electric scooter model that helped popularize commuter e-scooters a few years back. It’s a lightweight, sleek scooter known for its portability and integrated lights. The ES2 generally stands out for being compact (around 27 lbs) and easy to carry, with a top speed around 15 mph and a range of about 15 miles. While its specs are modest by today’s standards, it does feature front/rear suspension (very small shock absorbers) and customizable under-deck lights.
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Q: What is the max speed of the Segway ES2?
A: The Segway ES2 has a top speed of 15.5 mph (25 km/h) under standard conditions. Out of the box, it’s typically limited to ~15 mph which was a common speed for this class of scooter. With certain firmware tweaks you can get it ot 18mph, but officially it’s about 15 mph.
Q: What is the range of the Segway ES2?
A: Segway advertises up to 15.5 miles of range on the ES2 in ideal conditions. This assumes a lower-speed mode (Eco ~9 mph) on flat terrain. In Sport mode at full 15.5 mph, the range is more around 10-12 miles on a full charge, but we would still adjust that estimate downwards. In everyday riding, we’d bet most users will see somewhere in the 8-12 mile range per charge.
Other factors that impact range are rider weight, ambient temperature (hotter is better), and overall battery health. We recommend doing a full range test in your specific conditions before trusting it as a commuter for ranges in the upper bounds of 10-12 miles.
Q: What is the battery size of the Segway ES2?
A: The ES2 has a 187 Wh lithium-ion battery (which is about 5.2 Ah at 36 V). The battery pack is inside the front stem of the scooter rather than the deck (a design the entire ES series used). You can attach a second identical 187 Wh battery externally to effectively double the capacity to 374 Wh – that upgrade is sold separately to turn an ES2 into an “ES4.” But the base battery in the ES2 is 187 Wh.
Q: Does the Segway ES2 have a removable battery?
A: The main battery of the ES2 is not quickly removable – it’s bolted inside the stem. However, the model is unique in that Segway designed it to allow an external battery pack to be attached on the stem. This external pack (which locks in place with screws) can be considered “removable” in the sense you can add or remove that second battery as needed.
Q: How long does it take to charge the Segway ES2?
A: The ES2 fully charges in 3 hours from empty. The stock charger is a standard Segway 42V charger that outputs 1.7A. If you have the extra battery attached (ES4 configuration), charging both batteries would take roughly 6 hours. The scooter charges both batteries when the external is attached (they’re wired together).
Q: What is the weight of the Segway ES2?
A: The ES2 weighs about 12 kg (26 lbs). This lightweight design is one of the scooter’s main advantages – it’s very easy to carry up stairs or lift into a car. If you add the external battery, it brings it closer to ~31 lbs. Still very portable, and one of the reasons it is still popular among commuters needing to carry the scooter on public transportation or into an office/apartment.
The ES2 supports riders up to 100 kg (220 lbs), which is pretty standard for scooters of this size.
Q: Is the Segway ES2 single or dual motor?
A: The Segway ES2 has a single motor, located in the front wheel. It’s a 300W nominal motor (with peak around 700W). I personally much prefer single motor scooters to have the motor in the rear rather than the front. I own a Hover-1 Journey 2.0 scooter with a front motor that I use for short commutes, and it bugs me that every time I accelerate from a stop (unless I am leaning all the way forward), the front wheel loses traction and skids for a couple feet, gradually eroding the tire tread over time.
Q: How big are the tires on the Segway ES2?
A: The ES2 uses 8-inch diameter tires on the front and 7.5-inch on the rear. These tires are solid (airless) rubber tires, not pneumatic. Most scooters that feature different tire sizes on front vs rear choose to put the larger tire in front, for increased clearance on large bumps or small curbs. Also, the standard motor Segway uses on the ES2 only fits in an 8-inch hub.
Q: What are the brakes on the Segway ES2?
A: The ES2 has a two-brake setup: an electronic brake on the front wheel (motor brake with ABS) and a foot brake on the rear wheel, The electronic brake is activated by a thumb lever; it uses the motor to slow down (regenerative braking) and also has an anti-lock function to prevent skidding.
The rear foot brake is essentially a fender stomp brake, like a non-electric Razor kick scooter. you can step on the rear fender to create friction on the rear wheel for extra stopping power.
This brake setup means virtually no maintenance, but if you are a heavier rider going down a steep incline, the scooter might struggle to slow you down.
Q: Is the Segway ES2 foldable?
A: Yes, the ES2 is designed with portability top of mind, and it folds down. It has a folding lever near the base of the stem: you push it and the stem hinges down to lock onto the rear fender. Once folded, the ES2 is quite compact (around 45 in long and just ~7 in tall from ground to folded handlebars). The compact folded size and light weight makes the ES2 very commuter-friendly for throwing on a bus or in the trunk of a car.
Q: Can the Segway ES2 climb hills?
A: The ES2 can handle gentle hills with lighter riders, but it struggles otherwise. It’s officially rated for about a 10% incline (which is fairly mild).
Q: Does the Segway ES2 have suspension?
A: Yes, the ES2 features front and rear suspension, which is somewhat unique for a scooter its size. There are small spring-based shock absorbers on the front wheel and above the rear wheel. These help absorb some bumps and vibrations, especially since the tires are solid. The suspension travel is not huge – so it’s still a fairly stiff ride.
Q: Can the Segway ES2 go off-road?
A: Not really. The small solid tires and relatively low motor power are best suited for paved roads. You could probably make it across a short patch of grass or packed dirt, but it would slow down considerably on anything more challenging.
Q: Can you ride a Segway ES2 in the rain?
A: The ES2 has an IP54 rating, meaning it’s protected against splashes of water from any direction. Riding in light rain or on wet ground is generally fine.
Never charge the scooter when it has been in the rain, or when any components (including the charger itself) are wet.
Q: Does the Segway ES2 have an app?
A: Yes. The ES2 works with the Segway-Ninebot app (the same app as other Segway scooters). Through the app, you can monitor your ride statistics in real time, adjust settings, lock the scooter, and even enable features like “Follow Mode” (if you want to walk alongside the scooter while it powers its wheels slowly). The app is also where you set up the AirLock phone-as-key feature and pair the scooter with Apple Find My. It will also alert you of any firmware updates.
Q: What is an alternative to the Segway ES2?
A: The ES2 has been succeeded by a few models, and there are other brands too:
- Within Segway’s lineup, the E22/E25 are direct newer alternatives (E22 has similar 12 mi range but slower 12 mph speed; E25, E45 followed with incremental improvements). The Air T15 is even more portable but very slow, so not quite an “alternative” performance-wise.
- A classic alternative is the Xiaomi M365 (Mi Electric Scooter), with a 15.5 mph top speed, ~18 mile range, pneumatic tires (for comfort, but can get flats), and around 27 lbs weight.
The Freshly Charged Take
The Segway ES2 remains a great choice for a lightweight, last-mile electric scooter. You can still get it on Amazon, and scooter repair shops will have seen enough of these over the years to be able to fix just about anything. Chances are, though, if you start riding this and like it, you will want to upgrade soon.
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