Can You Bring an Electric Scooter on a Plane?
- Read Time: 3 min
The short answer is no. But not so fast. The various airlines have slightly different rules and some allow for lithium-ion batteries that don't exceed 100Wh and some up to 160Wh. Most e-scooters have much more than that. The guidelines are strict.
Flights in the U.S
The FAA has strict rules for transporting an electric scooter on a plane. A passenger is permitted to carry portable batteries for electronic devices of personal use. They must be protected from short circuits, damage, and from generating extra heat and be max or below 160Wh.
So if you have an electric scooter with a battery that has a max of 160Wh, the FAA allows for it to be carried on board as hand luggage.
Certain electric scooters are permitted on domestic flights and there are certain ways you can bring them on a plane, with consideration for local laws and the conditions set by airlines.
You need to have proper permission from the airlines and will have to remove the battery of the scooter before handing it over to the airlines.
Some domestic airlines permit you to carry two extra batteries along but they should together not be more than 300 Wh.
Ask the airline for guidance before considering bringing your e-scooter.
You must notify the airlines two weeks before the date of boarding the flight ticket. The airline is responsible for the safety of its passengers as a scooter’s battery can prove to be dangerous. Thus, the airlines need to know the scooter’s model, battery weight, and battery type beforehand.
If you showed that your electric scooter is a medically necessary mobility device you can take it with you - Please mention all the details and the steps to do that
International Flights
For international flights, you must check IATA rules (The International Air Transport Association). Lithium-ion batteries are classified as dangerous goods and strict rules apply.
They have specified the following regarding e-scooters and their batteries:
- The battery can not exceed 100Wh. Transport in the cabin or hold is allowed without prior authorization from the airline.
- If the battery has a capacity between 100-160Wh the airline's approval is needed for transport in the cabin or hold.
- If the battery exceeds 160Wh it is forbidden to carry in the cabin or hold. This excludes most e-scooters since they have more than 160Wh batteries.
It will always be best to inform your airline in good time before the departure date to make sure they know you plan on bringing this type of e-scooter and battery with you. Even if rules state what they do, and you have an e-scooter with such a small battery capacity, the airline might still refuse.
Last Thoughts
Sifting through the web in search of info on bringing batteries bigger than those of a laptop on flights seems to define that up to 160Wh is the limit. And for people with mobility issues, the limit is 300Wh. But it is not recommended to take this as gospel. The only way to make sure is to contact your airline in good time before departure and ask exactly what their rules and requirements are. It will save you a lot of possible aggravation once you're at the airport.
Related Posts
🛴💨The 13 Best Adult Folding & Foldable Electric Scooters / 2023
The question is probably not why one should buy a portable electric scooter but rather why one shouldn't? The only reason we can think of is if you know for a fact, that you will never have to either carry your e-scooter, or put it in the trunk of your car and therefore portability is not a priority for you.
View Details