Battery Capacity Upgraded and Range Testing Standard Revamped
Segway launched the flagship commuter electric scooter MAX G3 Plus in the US on August 4. The battery capacity has been increased by 20% over the previous MAX G3 model, reaching 717 Wh. The company claims that in low-power mode, the scooter can travel up to 56 miles (90 km) with a top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h) and a peak motor output of 2,200 watts. However, the most notable aspect of this release is not the hardware specifications but Segway’s adoption of a new range testing standard.
Segway stated that the MAX G3 Plus is the first model to calculate range using this new testing method. Previously, the industry typically measured range until the battery was completely depleted, but the new standard ends testing when the scooter can no longer maintain 60% of the selected riding mode’s maximum speed. Segway emphasized that this approach avoids the significant speed reduction caused by low voltage in traditional tests, providing riders with a more realistic estimate of usable range. If both the MAX G3 Plus and the previous MAX G3 were tested under the same standard, the new model would offer approximately 12 miles (19 km) more range.
Electric vehicle expert Micah Toll noted that range data for micromobility devices has long been tested under ideal conditions, creating a gap between official figures and real-world riding experiences. Segway’s new standard replaces the traditional endpoint—where testing continues until the scooter nearly stops—with a focus on “usable range,” which better aligns with consumer needs. He suggested that if the industry adopts this methodology, specifications will become easier to compare and more relevant to commuting scenarios. However, Toll also cautioned that most scooters’ maximum range is measured in their lowest power mode, while riders typically use higher power settings in daily use, meaning real-world range is often significantly less than the official claim.