e-motive launch electric scooters
Added on Friday, November 6th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor | One Comment
e-motive launch electric scooters
e-motive are launching a three model electric scooter range later in November 2009, writes Alastair Walker.
e-motive are importing electric scooters made in China to the UK, but have already established a 25-strong UK dealer network and their machines come with a two year warranty, plus AA roadside breakdown. That’s a step above most electric scooters, which are generally sold via the internet and have little dealer back up.
Although electric scooters have been around for a few years now, some brands like Vectrix have struggled to make headway in the UK market, as few commuters have £6000 to spend on electric scooters, no matter how `green’ they might be. But e-motive’s three scooter range starts at £1399, which is competitive with 50cc petrol powered mopeds.
The basic e-motive e1 model does 28mph and has a range of 35 miles. It also has a `commute’ mode, which means the bike accelerates more gently, saving power and making it a less `stop-start’ kind of experience. The e-motives also stop their engine running when you brake, again saving battery power and extending your travel range. The bigger e5 model does 65mph and can travel 80 miles, but it costs a hefty four grand.
There’s no vehicle tax to pay on electric vehicles, and if the UK government creates more city centre emissions, or congestion charging zones after the next general election, you probably won’t be paying that, as there are zero carbon emissions during use from the e-motive. Many electric scooters can be ridden on a full car licence gained before February 2001, as they’re classed as 50cc mopeds. All good news.
The downside is that electric scooters can take up to eight hours to fully recharge their batteries, and we need more power stations to generate the electricity the scooters use.
Do you think electric motorcycles and scooters can make two wheeled commuting a genuinely `green’ travel option?
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One Comment
david
November 13th, 2009I just got an e1 bike to go to work in central London. It is great and really helped reduce costs. I got the bike from emotivelondon.co.uk in Kings Langley.