Can I take my Electric Scooter on a Plane?

Are E-scooters or Electric vehicles allowed on an aeroplane?

Many customers are asking us if they can take their electric step or kick scooter with them on an aeroplane? Unfortunately, most of today's electric scooters are equipped with powerful, long-distance Lithium batteries which unfortunately contain too much power to be carried with onboard as cabin luggage and in some circumstances even as checked-in luggage.

In this article, we will

• Explain how to check if your battery is allowed to be taken on an aeroplane
• Give you a list of recommended electric vehicles available from TROTTISHOP.BE, which are allowed to be taken on board
• Remind you why electric is not always necessary ;)

Small lithium battery-powered vehicles

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) defined some rules about Lithium batteries and small powered vehicles which are strict, international and to be followed by any passenger or cabin crew member. The allowance for passengers or crew to take electronic devices as checked or carry-on baggage is determined by the scale (Watt-hour) of the lithium-ion battery as follows:

• When the lithium-ion battery does not exceed 100 Wh: Passengers and crew may take these devices with them in either checked in or carry-on cabin baggage. Approval of the airline operator is not required.
• When the lithium-ion battery exceeds 100 Wh but is below 160 Wh: Passengers and crew may take these devices with them in either checked in or carry-on cabin baggage. But the approval of the airline operator is required.
• When the lithium-ion battery exceeds 160 Wh: Passengers and crew are strictly forbidden to take these devices with them in either checked in or carry-on cabin baggage.

Complete PDF from IATA about lithium-battery-vehicles-cargo

Smart luggage regulation

Baggage installed with non-removable batteries exceeding 0.3 g lithium metal or 2.7 Wh are forbidden for carriage. When the baggage is to be checked in, the lithium battery must be removed and carried in the cabin as a carry-on item. Full details on Smart Luggage please click the link

Lithium Batteries & Safety

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wb0OSW9GnVk For full ITA guidance on Lithium Batteries – Passenger Provisions please click the link

How to check if your electric kick scooter can be carried on a plane?

• Battery Label: On any battery-powered item, you should be able to locate a label explaining clearly the power of your vehicle. This label is most commonly found on the battery itself. The example image, as shown below, is an E-TWOW Booster V battery which is 378Wh. This is more than 3 times the approved allowance and therefore is strictly forbidden to being taken on board in either checked in or carry-on cabin baggage.

• Charger label: The example image, as shown below, is a charger for the above E-TWOW Booster V battery. Its output is 41.5V and 3A. Therefore a charger is always with a higher voltage than the battery itself. Indeed, a fully charged battery is always loaded above its normal voltage value. The 3A will be the max current which can flow from the power source to your battery. The higher this value is the faster your battery will recharge. This is the reason why some chargers are more expensive than others for the same product as it charges the battery faster.

• Technical datasheet when purchased new, your vehicle should come provided with a technical data sheet and in most cases you will be able to download it from the manufacturer's website. Alternatively, you can also ask directly at your local dealer.

How to calculate the WH ( Watt-hour ) of an E-vehicle?

Sometimes, the manufacturer will only provide the Voltage and Ah (Ampere-Hour) of a battery. But don't worry! we've got your back!, the maths is easy, simply use the following formulation: (Ah × V = Wh) So for the example, E-TWOW Booster V battery shown above the calculation would be as follows 36V*10.5AH=378WH

Suitable E-vehicles allowed to being taken on board

Please find from the list below some recommendations from the trottishop selection of electric vehicles. These are in full compliance with IATA regulations and are allowed to be taken on board an aeroplane.

• MICRO E-Bike 16" - Foldable Bicycle 1399€ - 86,4Wh removable battery
• 2020 ELWING Nimbus – Electric Skateboard Powerkit 449€ - 90Wh : The ONLY one with a single motor !
• Emicro Sparrow XL - electric kickscooter for kids: 445 € - 90 Wh - Speed : 18km/h Autonomy : 9km Weight : 5.5kg
• Segway Drift W1 balanced rollerblade 349€ - 44.4 Wh

Why not simply go on a classic scooter?!

Electric is currently the latest trend, but don't forget that you could simply take a classic kick scooter to accompany you on your travels. You still get to experience the freedom of zipping around faster with those extra 2 wheels at your feet but without any of the worries or hassles of the ifs and buts you may encounter at the airport. You will find a large selection of adult and children step scooters on the website. We hope this article helped you to understand more clearly the rules and regulations about travelling onboard an aircraft with electric scooters and all other electric vehicles powered by Lithium batteries. We also want to remind you that all our classic (no battery) step scooters are allowed to be taken on board in either checked in or carry-on cabin baggage.

Have a safe flight and enjoy your trip!

Trottishop.be - The Electric Scooter Specialist