Enter Upa-Upa 500E, M1nsk's pedelec scooter. This two-wheeler is powered by a 500W motor fed by a 48V Li-ion battery and its maker claims it can provide a 50 km (31-mile) range.
And riders who want to expand their range can always use pedals to ease the efforts of the electric motor. Anyway, the 20 Ah battery can be charged in 4 hours using a normal wall outlet, so the usability of the scoot is quite decent. The battery can be easily replaced with a new charged one in just minutes, so things are as cool as they get from this point of view.
I must admit the scooter looks a bit flimsy, even if the exposed dual cradle frame brings in a reassuring feel. The swingarm also looks rather delicate, but maybe it's just me.
With the underseat storage being the battery compartment, storage is reduced to the small front box making the use of a backpack mandatory.
I was expecting a dashboard without the 80's looks, but it was not my day. Maybe with the next generation...
All in all, the scoot looks neat enough, and for $2,150 (€1,570) this 1 cent-per-mile machine is a great alternative for urban commuting.
I must admit the scooter looks a bit flimsy, even if the exposed dual cradle frame brings in a reassuring feel. The swingarm also looks rather delicate, but maybe it's just me.
With the underseat storage being the battery compartment, storage is reduced to the small front box making the use of a backpack mandatory.
I was expecting a dashboard without the 80's looks, but it was not my day. Maybe with the next generation...
All in all, the scoot looks neat enough, and for $2,150 (€1,570) this 1 cent-per-mile machine is a great alternative for urban commuting.