Elon Musk once toyed with the idea of a Tesla motorcycle, but only briefly and hardly in earnest. The P1 e-scooter is the closest thing you're going to get to a Tesla motorcycle, with the bonus that it comes with a touch of that very special kind of magic that turns every Apple product release into an instant bestseller.
The P1 is designed to be the solution to most issues a city dweller faces on the daily commute, with the difference that, unlike most electric bicycles and scooters, whether sitting or standing, it addresses these problems with flair, distinctive style, and a futuristic design. The P1 is an electric standing scooter from Brooklyn startup Infinite Machine, with a design inspired by the Tesla Cybertruck following an Apple-like approach.
Here's to hoping name-dropping two of the biggest, most influential companies in modern times will convince you to give this machine a try because it will require a genuine leap of faith. That, and a lot more money and patience than necessary to get another electric two-wheeler.
Infinite Machine is a family-funded startup for the time being, founded by tech brothers Eddie and Joseph Cohen with assist from designer Zach Cooper. It started out with an idea prompted by Joseph's Vespa breaking down: what if you could use standard scooter parts and assemble them in a way that would create an instantly recognizable product that would be both tough as nails and future-proof as far as tech goes?
Photo: Infinite Machine
The answer to this rhetorical question became the P1, which is now in prototype stage and taking orders for the first batch that comes with an estimated late 2024 delivery date. It's an electric scooter with the heart of a motorcycle (sort of) but everyday functionality due to its different riding modes, with an angular, decidedly utilitarian design inspired by the Cybertruck and the Apple design philosophy.
Both the Tesla and Apple similarities are intentional, Cohen says in a recent interview.
"We see this moment in personal EVs like the moment in personal computers in the ’70s, where there’s this proliferation of products, and everyone’s doing it in a different way," Cohen explains. "If you look at what Apple did, they didn't invent any one component, they put it together in one compelling package. That's how we see what we’re doing."
Photo: Infinite Machine
The P1 wants to be the Tesla of micro-mobility, the perfect solution for car-filled cities like NYC. The similarities with Tesla are also aesthetic, with the hard-edged shape of the scooter, the rectangular bar-like front light, and the anodized aluminum and steel composition. Underneath that frame, though, Infinite Machine plans on using standard scooter components imported from an established manufacturer from China.
The P1 is the first electric two-wheeler of its kind to integrate Apple CarPlay, so you get navigation and the possibility to play your favorite tunes through the speakers you can attach to the modular panels on the side that Infinite Machine plans on adding as options.
The same modular panels will be able to carry extra cargo or accessories, turning the P1 into an everyday machine for a wider range of users.
Photo: Infinite Machine
The motor is a 6kW hub one, with a maximum top speed of 55 mph (88.5 kph), achievable if you press the Turbo Boost button. This requires a motorcycle license, but the P1 can be ridden in locked mode by all users of age, with a maximum speed of 35 mph (56.3 kph).
The frame integrates two 72-volt 30-aH batteries in the deck, one of them removable for charging indoors and the other serving as backup for sentry mode, which triggers a safety mechanism if someone tries to tamper with the scooter. The P1 also offers GPS for tracking at all times, so if that someone is able to make off with it, you'll be able to track it down.
Combined range is estimated at 60 miles (96.5 km) in city mode. Cohen says in that same interview that the location of the battery might change in the series production model, moving from the deck into the compartment under the seat. Still, storage will be available there, as well as in a "secret" compartment under the handlebars.
The P1 has several riding modes and a reverse function. The Infinite Machine app will connect to the P1 for stats, remote control, and tracking, and will offer OTA updates to enhance performance. Infinite Machine notes that, despite its durable, tough-as-nails frame, it's not a scooter you can ride in the snow, heavy rain, or in any off-road scenario. This is exclusively a city machine.
Photo: Infinite Machine
This is also a very exclusive product, not because of its functionality or styling but because of pricing. The P1 is now available for pre-order with a $1,000 deposit refundable for a limited time or a $5,000 deposit for the first units from the first batch.
The final price is $10,000, which makes it more expensive than an electric Vespa, despite the company founders' claim that they designed a product for everyday use, not collectible status.
Infinite Machine's P1 will launch in the U.S. initially, with overseas expansion planned for the following year after the first round of deliveries.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News