This e-scooter has just arrived in Australia. It’s the best one out there for commuters

Private e-scooters may still be in a strange place culturally and legally, with rules differing by state and New South Wales continuing to outlaw them entirely, but that hasn’t stopped the technology from marching forward.

Segway Ninebot’s latest commuter-focused entry, which has just arrived in Australia, is a significant leap up from its predecessor and previous reigning long-range king.

Compared to the MAX G2 the new MAX G3 lasts longer, charges faster, is much more powerful, makes for a more comfortable ride and has a more complete set of smart features. Assuming you don’t need law-breaking speed or offroad capabilities, it’s the ultimate commuter scooter for 2025.

The G3 borrows some looks and features of Segway Ninebot’s sportier scooters, but it’s still built for city roads and paths. The dual disc brakes give a lot of control in your speed reduction, even if they require quite a firm double pull to stop quickly.

The redesigned handlebars are curved which makes manoeuvring feel more natural. And a new handle at the front makes it easier to cart around when folded, though at 25 kilograms and 1.2 metres long it’s still an awkward lift.

The G3 is powerful relative to other scooters, with the motor capable of up to 2000W. But you really only feel this when initially accelerating or when you’re going uphill. The climbing capability is astonishing, with hills and ramps that are inaccessible to other scooters being no problem here. By default the sport mode can go up to 25kmph and has some extra oomph in take-off, while the drive mode is steadier and tops out at 20kmph. But you can adjust these limits in the app to suit your local laws.

Full hydraulic suspension front and back makes for a more comfortable ride compared to scooters with non-hydraulic shocks, with only the bumpiest roads really rattling or jarring as you cruise. The maximum payload is 130 kilograms, which should be enough for most riders plus some groceries or work gear, and big 11-inch tyres make for a tall ride but also add to a feeling of stability. In addition to the thumb throttle, there is now also a rotating grip if you prefer to accelerate motorcycle-style.

The MAX G3 is the ultimate scooter for commutes. Assuming your work is less than 30km away or is fine with you charging on-site.Credit: Tim Biggs

Most importantly the maximum purported range is a huge 80 kilometres per charge, but that comes with some caveats. Segway Ninebot gets that number in eco mode, at 12kmph, in perfect conditions, with a flat even road and a light rider. All of those factors affect range greatly and on my commutes I’m getting more like 50 kilometres.

Still, that’s a huge improvement over the 35 kilometres or so I get on the same paths with the G2; I’m now getting to and from work with heaps of range to spare. The machine also charges quickly, going to full in around two and a half hours. It has a port at the front to support an additional battery, which Segway Ninebot plans to sell soon.

The tech and instruments have seen an overhaul too. The electronic horn is gone and replaced with a low-fi bicycle bell, which is an improvement given people don’t tend to react as much to a loud beep. The headlight is big, bright, adjustable and can turn on automatically, joined by a smaller always-on light bar for visibility. And the display is now a more functional full colour LCD. It shows your current mode, speed and the time, as well as the battery remaining and a range estimate.

The scooter connects to an app for tweaking the settings (and you can register it using Apple Find My, for tracking if it’s stolen), but it’s worth granting the extra permissions for the always-on Bluetooth connection. When you do, the scooter can unlock automatically as you approach, so you can set a password to discourage theft but you won’t need to actually enter it. If you get a call while riding, the number or contact name will appear on the screen, which is handy to let you know whether you need to pull over and answer.

The display can also show turn-by-turn directions thanks to a collaboration with HERE Maps, but it isn’t super compelling. You enter your destination on your phone and get a couple of route options, but there’s no way to customise the path to avoid busy roads or stick to bike lanes. I still prefer to build a path with Komoot and have directions read into my earbud.

Safety concerns

Even though the number of people safely and regularly commuting on e-scooters has at least doubled over the past year (going purely off my observations), it’s no secret that the vehicles in general have a bit of a PR problem. I’m still commonly told that they’re likely to catch fire, or warned that they’re dangerous and maim people. So, is this true?

To summarise the current (fairly limited) research, and interviews I’ve had with many experts, e-scooters can potentially catch fire or result in serious injury. But while you need to be aware of those possibilities, the overwhelming majority of both kinds of incidents are preventable.

Fires are almost entirely the result of people importing cheap and non-compliant units from overseas, making unsafe battery modifications, using incorrect chargers and/or continuing to use the vehicle after serious battery damage. It’s vital to buy known brands from trusted sellers, because that’s how you get vehicles with rigorously tested battery management systems. Any aftermarket modifications to the battery, charger or software are big no-nos.

Similarly, the worst injuries are the result of people riding illegally; in the wrong places, without safety equipment, too fast, without any experience, while underage or while intoxicated.

So, does the MAX G3 make any specific improvements from a safety point of view?

The much improved headlight helps visibility, and I like that there’s a light underneath the deck to make you more easily seen from the side in the dark. Hitting the indicator flashes this underglow light as well as the handles, though I wish there were proper indicators on the back for visibility in sunlight.

There’s a traction control system that’s turned off by default, which will cut the speed to prevent slipping and drifting, though in my experience it’s aggressively preemptive.

The improved hydraulics and many vague advancements in design obviously do something, because it’s a noticeably smoother and more stable-feeling ride compared to the G2, but I’m sure it’s far from infallible. Anybody who thinks they can get on a scooter with no experience and head off down the track at top speed will find they’re quite mistaken. Like a bicycle or a motorbike, an e-scooter is something you need to practice on so you can get a sense for what happens when you brake or swerve.

All that said, among the e-scooters available at Australian retail the MAX G3 seems like a stellar pick for commuting thanks to its comfort and long range. Currently you’ll find it for around $2000, so it won’t be easy to justify if you already have something that’s only a year old, but the combination of performance and beginner-friendliness will be enticing for first timers looking for a car- or bus-free way to get to work.

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