We’ve seen the sketches of the Smart E-Scooter concept, and now this is the real thing, which will be unveiled at the 2010 Paris motor show next week.
So what’s the Smart E-Scooter all about?
Underneath the fully interchangeable plastic body panels there is a steel and aluminium frame, and there’s lots of tech too. There’s heated handlebars, ABS, an airbag, and a Blind Spot Assist monitor to warn when a car/van/bus is about to take you out. Underneath the main seat is space for two helmets, and when the second seat folds out above the rear wheel, the footrests for the pillion rider automatically flip into position too. Don’t need the second seat? Then you can have a luggage rack instead.
Power comes from a 4kW electric motor mounted in the rear wheel (freeing up the stowage space for those helmets) and gives the E-Scooter a top speed of 28mph. There’s a 62-mile range too, which is helped by regenerative braking of the rear wheel, and solar cells at the front of the E-Scooter also provide charge to the lithium-ion batteries. The charging socket is hidden under the badge of the front fender.
And everything is controlled by your smartphone. So before you start the E-Scooter you have to mount it in a cradle between the handlebars, and this deactivates the immobiliser and other anti-theft devices. The smartphone then displays the E-Scooter’s speed, plus its battery charge and range, and it acts as a sat-nav and will help you find your way back to the scooter if you can’t remember where it’s parked. Just don’t drop your phone and smash the screen.
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