Electric wheelchairs are usually a lot heavier than manual wheelchairs because the frame has to be stronger in order to support the battery and motors. The level of sophistication in electric wheelchairs also varies widely, from just using standard batteries and a joy stick controller, right up to using microprocessor controlled gyroscopic circuitry which enables the electric wheelchair to rise on two wheels!

Because the level of sophistication of electric wheelchairs varies so widely, so do the prices, from around £1000 - £16000 . The latest and most high tech electric wheelchair at the moment, is the iBOT. The iBOT mobility system can climb stairs, bump up curbs, glide through gravel and even elevate a seated passenger to reach the top shelf at a grocery store.

Essentially, the iBOT is a gyro-balanced mobility device designed to operate either on four or two wheels, stabilizing the user by automatically adjusting itself to compensate for any shift in weight.
This degree of sophistication does come at a price though, and at £16,000, it is only available to those with very deep pockets! To many Electric wheelchair users, the average price of an  electric wheelchair will be around £3500

When choosing an electric wheelchair, be sure to use a reputable make from a licence supplier like us. This will ensure you receive full back up if the electric wheelchair needs servicing. Also beware of second hand electric wheelchairs, as they can suffer from cracked frames, faulty batteries and worn out motors. But services and maintained correctly should be no problem. We do occasionally have used electric wheelchairs so keep checking our site or email us to let us know what you are looking for.

The way that Electric wheelchairs are propelled also varies, and these different methods give different characteristics to the wheelchairs. The following are the three basic methods of propulsion:

• Rear Wheel Drive Electric Wheelchairs
  This is the most common method of drive for an electric wheelchair. This method makes the wheelchair fast, but can give a poor turning capability when compared to front and mid wheel drive chairs.
• Mid Wheel Drive Electric Wheelchairs
  This method of drive gives the best turning capability of all the electric wheelchairs. The electric wheelchair can be a little unsteady when starting and stopping though, and may not be suitable for uneven surfaces.
• Front Wheel Drive Electric Wheelchairs
  This method of drive gives a lower top speed than rear electric wheel drive chairs, but offers a good turning capability.