Which scooter for delivery? 50 vs 125, thermal vs electric

A delivery scooter is a work tool that runs 15,000 to 30,000 km/year. The right choice depends on three trade-offs: displacement, thermal or electric, and real cost per kilometer.

50 or 125?

• 50 cc: accessible from AM license (ex-BSR), cheaper insurance, but limited to 45 km/h — penalizing outside hyper-centers, and often maxed out so it wears faster.
• 125 cc: requires A1 license (or B + 7 hour training in some countries). Faster, more comfortable loaded and on main roads, less stressed so more durable. It's the delivery scooter standard.

For a spread-out zone or main roads, the 125 is almost always the right choice.

Thermal or electric?

• Thermal: unlimited range (fill up in 2 minutes), lower purchase price, but regular maintenance (variator, frequent oil changes, belt) and fuel costs.
• Electric: very low cost per km, silent, zero oil changes, often advantaged in low-emission zones. But limited range (plan recharging during the day, or a spare removable battery), higher purchase price, and distance to monitor on long days.

Electric scooters become relevant in dense areas with charging access; thermal still rules for long distances.

Wear items to budget

Whatever you choose, plan for: transmission (variator: rollers, belt), tires (rear wears fast), brakes, and for thermal frequent oil changes (city cycles and stops heat the oil). Neglecting maintenance turns a profitable tool into a money pit.

Cost per km decides

Add amortized purchase + maintenance + energy + insurance + depreciation, divide by actual km. A well-maintained 125 thermal stays moderate per km; an electric pays back its higher purchase price on energy and maintenance if you ride a lot.

Before buying used or reselling, estimate the valuation (mileage ratio to age + condition). For the precise service intervals on your model (belt, rollers, oil change), L'Atelier assistant answers on the exact reference.