Solar EQ Review

Thanks to its efficient sinewave motor controllers, the Solar EQ electric scooter is quick off the starting line. These motor controllers provide smooth and powerful acceleration, allowing the Solar EQ scooter to reach 30 mph in just 7.4 seconds. This is an impressive feat for this electric scooter, especially considering its price point.

Other scooters with similar acceleration include the Apollo Phantom V3, which reaches 30 mph in 7.3 seconds; the Kaabo Mantis 8 Pro, which is a tie at 7.4 seconds, and the fast RoadRunner RS5+, which tails slightly at 7.6 seconds.

What’s the fastest electric scooter under $1500? Well, the headline gave it away– and it’s the Solar EQ electric scooter. But how fast does the Solar EQ go?

We tested our unit and got a top speed of 41.5 mph on our two-directional speed run, measured using our pro-grade tools. This was even faster than the 40 mph indicated on the spec sheet. Compared to its competitors, the Solar EQ scooter outperforms them by a significant margin, leaving them in the dust. 

 In fact, the comparison scooters for speed cost nearly double what you’ll pay for the Solar EQ. For perspective, the three closest competitors are the $3499 Segway GT2, with a max speed of 41.8 mph; the NAMI Klima Max, which costs $2799 and goes as fast as 41.6 mph; and the Roadrunner RS5+, with a top speed of 41.6 mph and a current retail price of $2290.

The Solar EQ electric scooter has dual motors, which means it’s a shoo-in for one of the fastest sub-1500 oh hills. The 2000 W motors, controlled by efficient sinewave controllers, provide ample power and torque to conquer steep inclines–and on our 200 ft 10% grade test, the EQ scooter effortlessly climbed the hill in just 8.6 seconds, coming in only 1 second behind the renowned Vsett 10+. 

The Solar EQ is a 52 V scooter with a massive 936 wh battery. This large battery capacity allows for an impressive range and performance. The manufacturer quotes a 30-mile spec under ideal conditions, which the EQ came extremely close to, despite riding it on our hilly range test course in max performance mode.

Our scooter gave us 26.3 miles of real-world range, which is slightly lower than the manufacturer’s claim but still impressive. The range is near-comparable to what we got from the Ninebot Max G2 electric scooter, and given the performance, riding it in ECO mode might actually get you to 35 miles. Additionally, the Solar EQ has a relatively quick charge time of 5 to 7 hours, allowing you to get back on the road in no time.

The scooter rides fast, but does the Solar EQ have good brakes? The answer is yes. 

The solar EQ electric scooter is equipped with a pair of NUTT hydraulic brakes with sufficient bite. The mechanical brakes are complemented by the scooter’s regenerative brakes, which help to further slow down the scooter and recharge the battery at the same time. 

These combined braking systems provide confident and responsive stopping power, with a braking distance of 10.1 ft from a speed of 15 mph. One-finger braking is all you’ll ever need, which means you’re free to always keep your pointing finger on the throttle so that you can switch from throttle to brake lighting fast.  

The ride quality on the Solar EQ is surprisingly good for a scooter under $1500. It offers a smooth and comfortable experience, absorbing most of the bumps and vibrations on the road. Additionally, it is ergonomically designed to provide optimal comfort for riders of all sizes. Let’s look at the features that make the Solar EQ electric scooter a good fit for riders who prioritize comfort.

First, the suspension system on the Solar EQ electric scooter ensures a stable and balanced ride. This scooter has the same spring-slash hydraulic suspension we saw on the Solar P1 2.0. The only thing to note is that for Paul, who weighs 165 lbs, the front suspension felt a bit too stiff. This may not be an issue for riders who prefer a firmer suspension. That said, the big chunky hybrid road-slash-offroad tires help make up for the stiff front end, so the ride is ultimately relatively smooth. 

Next up is the deck. The deck on the Solar EQ is spacious at 22 inches by 7.3 inches and provides ample room for riders to comfortably place their feet. It is durably built and lined with grip tape for a true non-slip surface, ensuring a secure grip even in wet conditions. Grip tape does introduce a level of difficulty when it comes to cleaning, but we’ve always felt that the trade-off was worth it.

In addition, the deck features a clever neck design that lets you put your front foot all the way to the forward edge. And at the back is a good-sized footrest that comes in handy during hard acceleration, though it also feels a little too steep to keep your foot back there for long periods. 

The Solar EQ’s trigger throttle provides smooth acceleration through sinewave motor controllers, resulting in a more enjoyable and controlled riding experience. Additionally, the sinewave motor controllers offer improved energy efficiency, allowing for longer battery life and reduced overall electricity consumption. The P-settings allow for fine-tuning of acceleration and braking intensity. You can set acceleration for soft-start (0), medium-hard start(1), and “launch mode” (2). Launch mode is what we use for performance testing and is also suitable for regular riding.

When you apply the front or rear hydraulic brakes, you also automatically get regen braking from both wheels. The P-settings offer ten levels of regen brake intensity, and Paul recommends level 5 as his preferred setting. The scooter also offers three riding modes: Eco (22 mph), Drive (33 mph), and Sport (max speed), with the option to run single-motor with the front or rear wheel or both motors simultaneously. Dual-motor mode is generally more efficient and less likely to damage the motor or controller, as each motor and controller works half as hard.

Something we did not particularly like is that when you turn off the scooter, it loses track of your last settings. Overall, the inconvenience of losing the last settings upon turning off the scooter is a minor drawback. However, the quick and easy process of restoring your preferred settings with just a few presses compensates for this inconvenience, ensuring a seamless user experience.

Is the Solar EQ a portable scooter? The Solar EQ scooter  does not excel in portability.

It’s heavy at 70.6 lbs, making it the heaviest scooter in its class. Additionally, the lack of a latching mechanism for the stem, when folded, adds to the inconvenience of carrying it around. However, the telescopic stem and folding handlebars do contribute to reducing its overall size, making it slightly more manageable for transportation. 

The cockpit is a little meh.

The display lacks a vibrant and modern design, which may not appeal to those seeking a more visually appealing riding experience, and is also hard to read in direct sunlight. However, despite its underwhelming appearance, the display remains functional and easy to navigate, providing all the necessary information at a glance–speed, trip meter, battery status, and the riding mode. Additionally, you can access the scooter’s P-settings to customize the feel of the ride.

 The display has an integrated key start for security, and the scooter comes with a trigger-style throttle. You don’t get an excess of buttons to keep the bars clutter-free, but you do get brake levers on either side. The cables are well-reigned and routed through the stem. The handlebars also fold for storage convenience.

Can you ride the Solar EQ electric scooter in the dark? Yes.

The scooter has 360-degree lighting. At the front, you have a low-mounted headlight that illuminates the path ahead, while at the back, there is a bright taillight that ensures you are visible from behind. Additionally, the scooter feature turns signals are built low into the chassis on the front and back, giving maximum visibility. You activate the turn signals via a switch on the handlebars.

And finally, the Solar EQ scooter has a lovely yellow/orange LED light on both sides of the scooter, protected by a casing to prevent damage. 

Can you take the Solar EQ scooter offroad? Well, the tire and suspension combination definitely allows the provision. 

The Solar EQ electric scooter has 10-inch hybrid offroad tubeless tires. We’re so glad that tubeless 10-inch tires have become more commonplace on dual-motor scooters since they offer improved performance and durability compared to traditional tubed tires. Tubeless tires are also less prone to punctures, making them ideal for off-road adventures. Additionally, the use of tire sealant further enhances their reliability by sealing any small punctures on the go, ensuring a hassle-free riding experience. And something Cool Solar did, includes an offer to have your scooter come preinstalled with tire sealant for only $20.

The Solar EQ electric scooter has a delightfully large deck. The deck measures 22 inches by 7.3 inches. This spacious deck provides ample room for riders to comfortably place their feet and maintain a stable riding position. Its generous size and the generous grip tape mat that covers the deck allow for easy maneuverability and enhance the scooter’s overall stability. 

We’re only testing our third Solar rideable, and so far, we’re impressed with the build quality presented. The EQ looks rugged and feels dependable. You can get yours in either black or army green–we liked the look of the army green variation. In addition, the features are visible of higher quality, and its spec sheet is not what you’d expect at this price point, with features like hydraulic brakes, sinewave motor controllers, and tubeless tires, which are usually found on higher-end models.

Our review of the Solar EQ’s build quality is largely in comparison to the Solar P1 2.0. The Solar EQ’s build quality is noticeably superior to the Solar P1 2.0 in several aspects. Right away, you realize that the design of the P1 2.0 with so many exposed fasteners feels a little dated, while the Solar EQ’s design feels a lot more modern.

Noticeably, the Solar EQ electric scooter comes with NUTT hydraulic brakes as standard, which is a significant upgrade from the mechanical brakes on the P1 2.0. The hydraulic brakes feel especially good. In fact, we think they must be using a new metallic brake pad compound because they have a stronger bite to them than the other Nutt brakes we’ve tested. You literally never need more than one finger to bring the Solar EQ to a stop.

Another improvement comes in the form of an upgraded stem folding mechanism. It follows the overall theme of the EQ’s more dated design, which wasn’t as stiff as we’ve come to expect. The Solar EQ scooter also features a spin-latch that, while not particularly sophisticated, performs admirably. Paul turned it down once at the start of the range test, and it remained flawlessly tight the entire time. However, these days it seems a little strange to have a folding scooter without a secondary safety latch. However, we don’t mind it on the Solar EQ scooter because we trust this kind of latch.

The Solar EQ scooter also keeps the older style of folding handlebars and telescopic stems. This design choice allows for easy customization of the handlebar height to accommodate riders of various heights. The EQ scooter’s handlebar height can be set in three stages: 34.3″, 38.8″, and 41.8″ above the deck. Additionally, the folding handlebars and telescopic stem make it convenient for storage and transportation purposes. 

On the Solar P1 2.0 scooter, the Tron lights were optional and came at a cost, but we like that the swag lights on the EQ’s deck come standard. You, however, don’t get the optional fingerprint-reading display we saw on the P1 2.0 scooter, which is not a big issue since the Solar EQ still comes with a key-style ignition. We do miss the P1 2.0’s display since the EQ’s display can be hard to read in direct sunlight. And, on the plus side, the Solar EQ’s display has a USB port, which can charge your phone while you ride, and there’s just enough room on the bars to squeeze in a phone mount.

One design flaw we noticed was that during the range test, the handlebars would squeak when Paul hit a big bump–quite similar to the stem squeak we feel on most Dualtron scooters. Spray a little lithium grease to alleviate the situation.

The Solar EQ scooter is safe. You get all the standard safety features, such as a sturdy frame, reliable NUTT hydraulic brakes, a bright low-mounted LED headlight, and a big red taillight for enhanced visibility. Additionally, the Solar EQ scooter is equipped with a key ignition. Now, this provision isn’t going to keep someone from running off with your scooter, but it comes in handy to keep housemates from riding your scooter. However, if you need to lock the scooter up outside, we like that the trellis frame gives you a great locking point. 

The Solar EQ electric scooter  has one of the most impressive warranties-2 years! This warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship that may arise during the two-year period. During this time, if you experience any issues with your Solar EQ scooter, simply contact Solar Scooters with your proof of purchase, and they will assess your claim. It’s important to note that the warranty does not cover damages caused by misuse or accidents. Additionally, Solar Scooters offers excellent customer support to assist you with any questions or concerns regarding your Solar EQ scooter–complete with centers in the US.

In summary, the Solar EQ electric scooter offers a cost-effective option for riders looking for a dual-motor scooter without breaking the bank. 

While more advanced models may be available at a higher price point, the Solar EQ’s performance at its price range remains unmatched. We love the color, the hydraulic brakes, the tubeless tires, and that it has gobs of smooth power and basically the same range as the new Ninebot MAX. Bottom line, we haven’t seen anything that will beat the Solar EQ electric scooter for $1,500

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