Time to charge up the scooter debate. Volkswagen used the Geneva Motor Show to introduce a pair of innovative electric scooters that look production-ready.
The Streetmate and Cityskater scooters are pure electric and slot into the automaker’s overall mobility strategy by showing there are multiple ways to get around, and increasingly, the solutions rely on motors and batteries.
The 2.7-hp Streetmate weighs 143 pounds and can hit a top speed of 28 mph with a range of 21 miles—longer in eco mode. Riders can sit or stand on this bicycle-like scooter that can replace a car for short commutes.
Power comes with the press of a switch on the handlebar. The motor is integrated into the rear wheel hub, and the 1.3-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery is in the floor. Charging time is 2 hours and 15 minutes, and the battery can be removed and charged at home or work. The Streetmate can also recharge through regenerative braking, and the scooter even has an anti-lock braking system.
A driver’s license, registration, insurance, and a helmet are all required by Streetmate owners. A 5.3-inch screen in the middle of the handlebars is a waterproof display that connects to a smartphone to provide navigation and allows the phone to act as a digital key.
The Cityskater is a three-wheel, tricycle-style, 0.5-hp street surfer that can go 12 mph with a range of about 9 miles. There is a platform for each leg and steering works like skiing by shifting weight from one leg to the other. A control rod is used to start, accelerate, and brake. It has lights, a horn, and a disc brake at the back.
This production-ready 33-pound scooter can be folded up for easy carrying or stuffing into a trunk to complete the final miles of a journey. VW is evaluating it for homologation.
We’ll let you know how serious VW is about bringing these to an American city near you when we learn more in Geneva.
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