If I’m honest, I didn’t expect riding the new Yamaha NEO’s to be as much fun as it was, and knowing it’s producing virtually zero pollution only added to the satisfaction. The NEO’s electric motor gives an alternative sort of ride, and the virtually silent running is a pleasure that takes a little time to get used to. Without engine, exhaust or driveline noise, forward propulsion feels almost magical, with none of the usual clues to power generation. It feels as though you’re getting free performance. The more you ride it, the more it impresses.
Though the 2.5kW electric motor’s maximum power is low, a much more significant figure is the 100lb/ft (136Nm) of torque, which gives the scooter instant and very keen acceleration away from a standstill. To put that torque figure into context, that’s about 50 times more pulling power than the 50cc NEO’s the electric version replaces, and around the same figure as a small car.
On top of that, the power delivery is instantaneous and, with no clutch and gears to consider, the job of gaining speed couldn’t be much simpler. Just having to twist the throttle is a useful virtue as you really need to be on top of your game to cope with Amsterdam’s often unpredictable traffic. Cyclists, pedestrians and other scooters come at you from all angles, making quick reactions essential to stay safe. Armed with its immediate obedience to any command to up the pace, the electric motor is a real ally in getting through the melee all the more easily and safety.
On more open roads, when you’re approaching the scooter’s 30mph top speed, you need to learn your place and to fit in with the traffic more, but in really congested zones the Neo’s is in its element allowing almost unrivalled progress.
Just as handy at dealing with the ever-changing circumstances so typical in towns, is the super-nimble nature of the scooter’s handling.
Weighing only 98kg ready to go, gives it a cycle-like level of lightness and agility, guaranteeing effortless and speedy direction changing. Stable and predictable at speed, the well-balanced Yamaha is also dead easy to master at very low speed – an important virtue for the less experienced. With little weight to challenge the brakes and suspension, both do their jobs well, almost going unnoticed such is their efficacy. You might need to be on your toes at all times to get through Amsterdam, but the NEO’s cat-like chassis response makes the journeying feel a lot more relaxed than it could.
Of course, as well as the serenely silent way the electric scooter goes about its business, there are some other notable advantages of using this type of propulsion. As well as its laudable cleanliness, the Yamaha is much cheaper to run than virtually all other powered vehicles. And with the frightening price of petrol these days, that can offer a real financial benefit. I couldn’t help smirking every time I passed a petrol station and looked at the prices being asked for the smelly stuff.
Costing just pence to fully charge a battery from flat, the 20-odd miles maximum it can then carry you works out to be far less than near two pounds that it would currently cost on a comparable petrol-engined scooter. It takes around eight hours to fully charge, and just four to charge from 20-80% of its capacity. The 19.2Ah, 8kg li-ion battery is quickly removable to let you charge it in your home.
Selecting the ECO mode (which you can do while riding) of the two available, limits the top speed to just over 20mph, marginally reduces acceleration, and improves range very slightly. If you connect to the My Ride app, you can monitor the remaining battery capacity and range very accurately. The range can be increased to around double with the fitment of another battery, albeit at the additional cost of £980.
Other useful features include keyless running, a centre stand, underseat helmet storage, with an accessories list including a top box, phone holder, and waterproof riding apron.
There’s no doubt, the electric NEO’s makes plenty of sense with its massively reduced contribution to global warming and climate change. Yamaha is the first mainstream manufacturer to enter the electric moped sector. Currently it’s a scene dominated by Chinese brands like NIU and Super Soco, while Vespa’s stylish Elettrica costs twice as much as the NEO’s.
We’d expect to see many more battery powered mopeds emerge in the coming years which is good, as there’s a lot more to them than just a form of more socially acceptable transport. Available in either black or white, the NEO’s be in Yamaha dealers from May.
** The Neo’s will suit city commuters and those new to two wheels as it can be ridden on a car licence – provided you passed your test before February 2001. Anyone with a CBT pass can also ride the scooter.
2022 YAMAHA NEO’s
Price: £3005 (including government grant)
Engine
Type: 2.5kW air-cooled, brushless, electric motor
Power: 3.3bhp @ 400rpm (claimed)
Torque: 100lb/ft @ 50rpm (claimed)
Cycle Parts
Chassis: tubular steel backbone
Suspension: (F) telescopic forks, no adjustment (R) single shock, no adjustment
Brakes: (F) single disc, single-piston caliper, ABS
(R) 200mm cable-operated drum
Wheels/Tyres: Die-cast Aluminium/Maxxis (F) 110/70 13 (R) 130/70 13
Rake/Trail: 25.5degrees/84mm
Wheelbase: 1305mm
Seat height: 795mm
Kerb weight: 98kg
Contact: www.yamaha-motor.eu
