Segway’s new MAX G3 Plus electric scooter goes farther with more power and better safety

This story is about an electric scooter, not a home energy upgrade, so it falls outside what Retrofit Relay usually covers. Here's a plain summary anyway.

Segway has released a new commuter electric scooter, the MAX G3 Plus, with a bigger battery and several new safety features. The battery is 20% larger than the previous model, and Segway claims a range of up to 56 miles in its lowest power setting, with a top speed of 28 mph. New features include rear turn signals, redesigned brake levers, and a combined braking system that blends regenerative braking with regular disc brakes to improve stopping power and cut down on brake wear. It also has dual suspension, self-sealing tires, anti-lock brakes, a phone-finding feature, and a charging system that can refill the battery in about three to four hours.

The more notable change is how Segway measures range. Instead of testing until the battery is fully dead, the company now stops the test once the scooter can no longer hold at least 60 percent of its top speed for that mode. Segway says this gives a more realistic sense of range you'd actually get while riding, rather than a number based on a scooter limping along at low power.

The MAX G3 Plus is available for pre-order in the US now, at an introductory price of $1,149.99 before it rises to $1,499.99. Shipping starts August 25 through Segway's own store and retailers including Best Buy and Amazon.