Razor, the brand synonymous with scooters, today announced three new electric scooters under $500 aimed at new riders and those on a budget. While these scooters won't blow the doors off the top-performing models on our best electric scooters list, they appear to be sensible, affordable, and approachable options for those who want something different from a scoot.

The EcoSmart SUP is essentially a stand-up version of the EcoSmart Metro, so there is no seat and basket for its sitting cousin; the EcoSmart SUP's best feature is its 16-inch pneumatic tires, despite the lack of suspension, It offers a very comfortable ride. The wide bamboo deck also enhances stability.

The EcoSmart SUP is powered by a 350-watt motor (smaller than the EcoSmart Metro's 500-watt motor) and has a maximum speed rating of 15.5 mph and a range of 12 miles. Unlike the chain-driven EcoSmart Metro, the SUP's motor appears to be mounted directly to the rear hub; the EcoSmart SUP will be available this month for $449.

According to Razor, "C25" is the working name for this electric scooter, which will be available in two versions, first in October for $399. the C25 will feature 12-inch solid front wheels, a digital display, and front and rear headlights. a 250-watt rear hub motor and a 36-volt lithium-ion battery, with a top speed of 15.5 mph and a range of about 11 miles. It will be available with either lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries.

This model would most directly compete with other mid-size scooters such as the Swagtron Swagger 5 Elite and the Go-Trax XR Ultra.

The E line of Razor scooters has proven popular with children because they are inexpensive and not overly fast. At the top of the line, the E300 is the highest-performing model, with a top speed of 15.5 mph; the E300 HD tweaks the design by switching to a rear hub motor rather than the chain-driven motor found in the rest of the E line. Although the output is the same (250 watts), the E300 HD's hub-mounted motor should provide a quieter ride.

The E300 HD will feature large 9-inch pneumatic front wheels and a sturdy 8-inch rear wheel. Razor has not announced its range, but speculates that it will be similar to the 40 minutes offered by the current E300; the E300 HD will be available this fall for $289.

All three of Razor's models are likely to be good, affordable complements to the company's current lineup of electric scooters, and the EcoSmart SUP is likely to be the standout of the bunch. I'm curious to see how well its tires, which are much larger than those on other electric scooters, will handle potholes and other bumps in the road.