The growing popularity of scooters has ushered in the micro-mobility season, which has further exploded as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. The British company EKOO has launched a new personal mobility vehicle, called EKOOTER, that combines the positive aspects of the e-bike with the portability of a scooter. Technically, it is an electric scooter, but its dimensions lead it to be part of the micro-mobility sector.
EKOOTER is, first of all, a two-wheeled vehicle equipped with a 350-watt rear hub motor, powered by the standard model’s 10.5-Ah removable Samsung battery pack, for a maximum speed of up to 25 km/h (15.5 mph) and a considerable range of about 100 km (62 miles). Charging the battery takes 2 to 3 hours. The removable battery design enables you to keep a spare battery for when you need to go even further, a road-trip, or just a long commute.
The two-wheeled mix folds down into a sort of wheeled ring so that it can be transported like a trolley. This is possible thanks to its highly durable S-Frame, built with solid aircraft-grade 6061 Aluminium Alloy. By eliminating the pedals, EKOO manages to eliminate a space that allows the EKOOTER to become an extremely compact two-wheeler, facilitating its transport and storage.
It is capable of carrying loads up to 120 kg, while the e-scooter itself weighs only 18 kg. The 14-inch tires, the front and rear LED lighting (including brake light), the front disc brake, and one rear drum brake complete the picture of EKOOTER, which the parent company will propose in the future also in a Light version, with 7 Ah battery, range of up to 64 km (40 miles) and weight of 15 kg. The entire folding and unfolding process takes no more than five to seven seconds.
The EKOOTER is currently the subject of an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, where it is available for a pledge of about $792 (standard model), and it takes $714 for the Light version. The retail price of the regular version of the e-scooter is around $1,512, while the Light is priced at $1,291.
