In recent years, electric scooters have become an increasingly popular mode of transportation in many cities worldwide. With this rise in popularity comes a unique opportunity for enterprising individuals to make extra cash by charging these scooters. But how exactly does that work?
Quick Steps to Get Started
The process of becoming a scooter charger (sometimes called “juicer”) is surprisingly simple as long as you are of legal age and authorized to work in the United States.
- Choose a scooter-sharing app. Bird, Lime, and Spin are the most popular ones. Other apps for route optimization and time management are also recommended.
- Download an app and fill in the application. Depending on the platform, it might take a bit of time for you to get accepted.
- Locate and pick up scooters. Use the app to locate scooters and transport them to your charging spot. Having a suitable vehicle will significantly increase your profits.
- Charge and return. Plug the scooters into the charging equipment and drop them off at designated locations when they are fully charged.
It’s a flexible and low-stress way to earn extra income for students and others without a traditional nine-to-five. There are some potential challenges to consider, such as competition with other chargers, deadlines, fluctuating pay, and local regulations. The latter should be checked on your city’s government website.
Can You Really Make Money From Charging Scooters?
Yes, you can make money by charging scooters for micromobility platforms. Many electric scooter companies, such as Lime, Bird, and Spin, offer programs to people willing to pick up and charge their scooters. These companies pay individuals to locate, collect, and repower the scooters, then drop them off at designated locations around the city.
A scooter charger is paid per device charged, usually from $3 to $5 for one scooter. The electricity prices and the popularity of scooter services in your city should also be accounted for. Generally, you can expect to earn $20, sometimes even $30 per hour, charging scooters.
How Charging Works
In simple terms, to start charging scooters, you will need to download the app of the scooter company you want to work with. After that, you will need to create an account and sign up to be a scooter charger.
You will need to provide some personal information, such as your name, address, and bank account information. As with other similar gigs, such as food delivery, you need to be of legal age and be able to accept the pay for your services.
After you have been approved as a scooter charger, you can start looking for scooters to pick up. The app will show you the locations of scooters requiring a recharge. You can then go out and bring them back to your home or to a designated charging spot to charge them.
The charging of scooters itself is relatively simple and resembles most other devices. Scooters come with a charger that plugs into a standard electrical outlet. You will need to keep the scooters plugged in until the charge is complete, which usually takes a few hours.
Once a scooter’s battery is full, you must drop it off at a designated location. The app will show you the location of the drop-off point, which is typically a public space or a business that has partnered with the scooter company. Once you have dropped off the scooters, you will receive payment for your services.
How Much Does it Cost to Charge a Scooter?
The cost of electricity to charge a scooter is relatively low, as electric scooters do not consume much power. Other factors like the type of scooter, how long it takes to charge it, and the size of its battery also play a role.
With a few assumptions about these factors, we can make a general estimation. Most electric scooters have batteries with capacities ranging from around 2000mAh to around 30,000mAh. Let’s assume we have a mid-range electric scooter with a standard 36V battery of 10,000mAh (10Ah).
The average price of electricity to residential customers in the United States (as of September 2024) is 16.83 cents per kilowatt-hour. So, the cost to fully charge one electric scooter with a 10,000mAh battery could be around $0.06. One with a 5,000mAh battery — $0.03, with a 15,000mAh battery — $0.09, and so on.
If you charge scooters during off-peak hours (at night, for example), you can save on electricity costs. This will also earn you extra income as scooter-leasing companies offer higher rates during such hours. It might also be wise to invest in more efficient charging equipment to charge more scooters faster.
Pro Tips to Earn More Money From Charging Scooters
Scooter charging is not one of those passive income sources where you can earn top dollar without much experience. The more you practice scooter charging, the better you’ll get at finding the most profitable strategies.
Invest in the Right Equipment
To earn more money from charging scooters, you need the right equipment. This includes a reliable vehicle for picking up and dropping off scooters and a sturdy and reliable charger that can handle multiple scooters simultaneously.
While it may require some initial investment, buying high-quality equipment will pay off in the long run as it will enable you to charge more scooters in less time.
Know Your Area
Knowing your area helps to maximize earnings. Find out where the most popular pick-up and drop-off spots are, as well as the busiest times of day for scooter use. It will help you plan your schedule efficiently to pick up more scooters in one go.
Optimize Your Charging Schedule
One of the best ways to optimize your charging schedule is by charging scooters during off-peak hours. It varies between cities, but usually, peak hours are before the start of the working day and during lunch.
So, some scooter rental companies offer bonuses for charging scooters during the night. You should also look into electricity tariffs during off-peak hours. Coincidentally, electricity is also cheaper at night in many places.
Be Strategic About Pick-Up Locations
When collecting scooters for charging, be strategic about the locations you choose. Scooter platforms and some cities provide interactive maps of areas with the most scooters. Popular tourist destinations, universities, or shopping centers are the places you want to be the most.
Visiting places strategically will increase the chances of finding more scooters, resulting in higher earnings. Reaching the best pick-up locations and heading back to your charging spot might be expensive. To lower costs, use fuel-efficient vehicles or, better yet, electric options.
Join Multiple Scooter Rental Platforms
Finally, joining multiple scooter rental platforms will ensure you’ll always have multiple scooters to charge. By signing up for various platforms, you will be able to access a larger pool of scooters, which will increase your earnings as a scooter charger.
You should also keep an eye out for promotions and bonuses offered by different platforms, as these can help boost your earnings. The work itself doesn’t differ much between the platforms, but you can prioritize more scooters from one platform when they offer more pay.
Conclusion
While it may seem easy to make money charging scooters, it requires commitment and some investment in charging equipment and transportation. The tips here should help you overcome these hurdles and make charging electric scooters work as a viable extra income source.
FAQ
Can you charge scooters for money?
Yes, you can definitely make money by charging electric scooters. Many companies, such as Lime, Bird, and Spin, hire independent contractors to provide this service for them. As a scooter charger, you’ll find charge and return the scooters. Once approved, you can receive from $3 to $5 for charging one scooter.
What are the most profitable times to charge scooters?
It’s best to charge scooters during off-peak hours, and most scooter-sharing companies encourage chargers to use them. Off-peak hours vary by location but generally are from late night to early morning and during the midday. Overnight charging might also benefit you by providing cheaper electricity in some areas.
How to find high-density scooter zones for collection?
Most major micromobility apps provide activity maps for scooter chargers. Some cities have their own interactive maps where you can see the exact data of scooter parking spots. Generally, these are places of interest to tourists, business centers, or transportation hubs.
