How Much Distance Can a Wheelchair Cover?

A person transitioning to become a wheelchair user has many questions going on in their mind. One of the important questions is ‘how much distance can I cover in a wheelchair’. If you are here, for some reason you too have this question in mind. So, let us together find out the answer.

When someone is curious about ‘distance’ we can safely assume that they are thinking of electric (power) wheelchairs. It is because range of manual wheelchairs completely depend on the strength and stamina of the user which can vary immensely. While one user might find it difficult to get out of the house the other may easily propel their wheelchair for a mile. The kind of surface too affects a user’s capability to propel their wheelchair. You see it’s impossible to find the answer for a manual wheelchair. So, let’s focus on the distance that power wheelchairs can cover.

Factors Affecting the Performance of a Power Wheelchair

There’s no fixed distance or performance level that can be attributed to all power wheelchairs. It depends on various factors.

1. Manufactured Feature

The first thing that determines how far a power wheelchair will go depends on its built-in feature. While one manufacturer will offer a power wheelchair that can go 8-10 miles on a full charge the other might offer a traveling distance of 20 miles. Without a doubt, this specification will affect the price. You will find this specification on the product description sheet of each model of a power wheelchair. The same manufacturer can offer a different set of features for different wheelchair models at different prices.

2. Battery Condition and Charge

The next thing that can affect a power wheelchair’s ability to cover a distance is its battery condition and charge. When a wheelchair battery is full-charged, it will cover a longer distance. When a battery is in good condition it will go a longer distance. Batteries have a lifespan. If you keep using an old battery it will certainly affect your wheelchair’s performance. If you want your power wheelchair to go long distances and perform well, you need to take care of the batteries as specified in the user manual they came with. These batteries need regular and careful maintenance.

3. Weight of the User and Luggage

Apart from the built-in features and battery, a power wheelchair’s performance also depends on the weight of the user and the amount of luggage they carry. Every wheelchair has a standard weight limit that should be considered while buying a wheelchair. Using a wheelchair that is meant for people with lesser weight is never a good idea for someone on the heavier side. The heavier the load, the faster will be the battery consumption; the faster the battery drains the lesser distance you will be able to cover.

4. Type of Surface

When you are maneuvering your power wheelchair, the type of surface also affects its performance. When you are going on a plane with and smooth surface, your wheelchair will consume lesser battery and thus you can cover a longer distance. On the other hand, if you have to go on a rough surface or climb on gradients, more battery will be consumed thus reducing the total distance you can cover. While going uphill the rate of battery consumption will be high and while going downhill it will be much low.

5. Speed and other Driving Habits

Another factor that affects the power wheelchair’s performance is the speed with which the user travels. Going faster on a power wheelchair means rapidly declining battery power. When you go slowly you can conserve battery energy and thus can cover a farther distance. In addition to speed other driving habits too affect a power wheelchair’s performance. If a user continuously drives the power wheelchair at a constant speed she will conserve more battery power when compared to someone who frequently stops and starts or change the speed.

Final Words

You can check the specifications provided for individual power wheelchair models of your choice and calculate the actual performance based on the factors affecting the overall performance. We hope the above-given information helps you in planning your long-distance travel much easier now.