How Far Can an Electric Wheelchair Go

An electric wheelchair represents freedom and independence for people living with mobility issues. 

Powered wheelchairs enable users to make their own way to the places they want to go, without having to rely on other people to assist them. Whether you fancy a trip to the park on a sunny day, or nip down to the local shop for supplies, a motorised wheelchair takes the strain.

When you’re planning on purchasing an electric wheelchair, there are a number of important factors that you need to take into consideration. Comfort is obviously a major concern, as is the price, of course. But you also need to be confident that your motorised wheelchair won’t leave you stranded when you’re out and about.

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So how far can an electric wheelchair go?

The answer depends on a number of factors, including the weight of the user, their driving style and the type of surfaces that the wheelchair is used on. Battery life is also something that needs to be taken into account.

As a general guide, some electric wheelchairs will have a range of around 8 – 10 miles on a full charge, whereas more expensive models can travel for up to 20 miles on a single charge. You’ll find that the specification sheets for each individual model of wheelchair will give you all the relevant information.

Do bear in mind that the manufacturer’s specifications only tell you part of the story. When you first purchase your new motorised chair, provided that you don’t overload it or travel on inappropriate surfaces, you should find that it easily lives up to expectations. But failure to charge your chair correctly, or continuing to use a battery that has passed its best, will compromise the performance of the wheelchair.

Wheelchair batteries need careful and regular maintenance if you want them to perform well. That means charging them correctly, for the appropriate amount of time. 

Regularly travelling around with a low battery won’t encourage the best results, and neither will charging the battery for more than 24 hours at a time.

Before choosing your electric wheelchair, take time to consider all the available options. Read reviews from other users and try out as many different models as you can. 

Make sure that you’re very clear as to the types of surfaces you’ll be travelling on too. If you only plan on travelling very short distances on level surfaces, you won’t need a model capable of traversing off-road terrain, for example.

Buying a powered chair is a major expense, but one that opens the door to a more independent lifestyle. So it pays to take the time to choose the perfect model for your needs.