As the price of gas rockets and oil supplies dwindle, the option of freeing ourselves from the pump becomes more attractive by the day. More and more people are ditching their expensive, thirsty gas guzzlers in favor of cheap, economical and environmentally friendly electric scooters.

As recently as a few years ago, opting for an electric scooter would have been sheer madness. In the early days of electric scooters the batteries were bulky and inefficient, requiring hours of charging for trips of just a few miles. Recently, though, renewed interest in the state of the environment has driven a revolution in technology that has resulted in vastly more efficient, smaller, lighter and more powerful batteries that have made scooters a practical and attractive alternative to the car – especially in the hustle and bustle of the city.

Today's electric scooters are designed to fit every niche. Need a scooter that can hit highway speeds and battle the traffic in the commute? How about a long distance trekker that can take you to the moon and back between trips to the power outlet? Do you need lots of storage space, or does your scooter simply have to look cool? Whatever you need, there's sure to be something to fulfill your requirements. To help you choose your ideal electric scooter we've looked at many of the best sellers to give you our top 5. Our criteria for picking the best consisted of:

• Top speed
• Traveling distance
• Price
• Comfort

With this in mind we found our favorite 5 electric scooters.

Winning Scooter

After lots of argument we ended with a straight fight between the Zapino and the EVT R30, but after a long discussion and several test drives we settled on the Zapino, if only because it will soon offer the option of an extra battery to boost its range. With a top speed of 30MPH the Zapino presents a very attractive package for tooling around town or heading to the store. The standard battery will take you around 30 miles, but hopefully soon Zapino will be releasing a larger battery which will last for 65 miles between charges.

The Zapino also has a good-sized rear wheel crate for storing an extra battery, your personal belongings and your shopping, allowing you to protect your valuables from the elements while you ride.

The ride itself is very comfortable and smooth. The electric engine makes very little noise so it seems like you are gliding through the traffic. The Zapino is also styled very nicely. It has a retro kind of look that brings to mind a classic Vespa, and it has a very nice finish to the paint and body work. The Zapino comes in a range of different colors with 5 different cool colors to choose from.

The price is average at around $3,500. There are some cheaper models out there, but this scooter has all the benefits of speed and comfort for only a little more. The extra benefits are definitely worth the money.

But what if you don’t want to spend that much or you want something faster? Below we have reviewed four alternative scooters that may tickle your fancy.