As with our electric car picks for 2008, of top electric scooter picks are all available in the USA now or will be in 2009 and are top picks for various reasons: design, capability, innovation, etc. Most of you know by now that scooters are one of my least favorite things, but there are an amazing number of them on the EV market and they seem to be popular as commuters and all-around “get around” machines.
We narrowed the picks and left the best electric scooters by cutting out all that aren’t commuters, per se, and are really just glorified toys. So you won’t see any modified Razors or skateboards with handlebars on this list. You will see one and two passenger scooters and mopeds, though.
The Piaggio MP3 Hybrid is the only one on this list that’s not all-electric, but it won out purely on design and innovation. It’s 3-wheeled design, amazing engineering that allows a 40-degree tilt to either side, maximum stability (and safety) and extreme performance, all pushed it to the top of this list. Available world-wide next year, including here in the USA, this one will be hard to beat.
While not a lot of change and innovation took place with the Vectrix VX-1 for the 2009 model, it’s one that already looks good, has great performance, and is tried-and-true on American streets. A name change and a paint job make this scooter different from its predecessors, with performance and reliability already tested. New models, like the VX-1e and VX-2 will also be available next year, but are basically dumbed-down versions of this number two pick.
Not the most stylish moped on the market, maybe, but the Zero Emission Motors Bolt electric scooter is a reliable performer with great characteristics. Aimed at a market that looks for affordability as part of their main requirements for an EV commuter, this model definitely delivers great performance for value. We were most impressed with the range and speed capabilities of this little goer.
I know I said I wouldn’t include any glorified skateboards on this list, but the Zuumer electric scooter is just too cool to skip. This one, though, is technically a glorified SNOWboard, so it sneaks past that little roadblock. There’s no other words to describe this one other than “cool” and “fun as hell.” The Zuumer is probably the most innovative scooter on this list as far as an enjoyable ride goes. Anyone who tries one will become addicted. Ask our editor, Sebastian. He’s waiting impatiently for his.
The Zapino is not the most stylish or most innovative scooter on the market, sure, but definitely one of the most popular and affordable. That puts the Zapino on our list, since not only are these well-tested, but they are also consistently popular. Their low price tag and decent performance are what make them the favorite for many EV buyers.
It’s official - I’m buying one. After just a single ride on Zuumcraft’s new Zuumer Electric Scooter, I’ve just put my $250 down payment for my very own unit. Why? Because the Zuumer is the single most innovative, most useful, and most fun VLEV (Very Light Electric Vehicle) that I’ve ever ridden, and I’ve tried a few. And I don’t impress easily.
The Zuumer Electric scooter is a new kind of VLEV invented by Tom Boyd of Zuumcraft, Inc., of San Diego, CA - it’s a three-wheel electric stand-up scooter that uses an innovative new suspension system on the rear wheels of the unit. This suspension system allows both rear wheels to independently lean into the angle of a turn similarly to how a motorcycle would do. The combination of the two rear wheels and the independent suspension system allows you to ride this scooter very similarly to how you might a skateboard or snowboard. In fact, the closest feeling that I can describe to how riding a Zuumer feels is that it is like snowboarding a road. Except, you can snowboard up hill.
Hands-on With the Zuumer
I live in San Diego and had the opportunity to meet Tom Boyd, the inventor of the Zuumer, and ride one of his scooters. Tom calls himself an evangelist of electric vehicles and the Zuumer, and it shows; his passion for his product and the EV industry was evident as soon as he got out of his truck at the bike trailhead where we met. And true to the Zuumer’s appeal, I barely had time to shake his hand before someone walked up to check one out and proceeded to ask a ton of interested questions.
Tom spent some time showing me some of the unique and innovative features of the Zuumer. The Zuumer features:
The front wheel of the Zuumer - the 1000 watt motor is integrated into the wheel hub.
The rear wheel assembly. Notice how the rear wheels stay perpendicular to the plane of the floorboard - this is what makes the Zuumer so stable and responsive.
That awesome independent rear suspension: this is the heart of this device, and once you get on and you ride it, you’ll understand why it’s such a big deal. You can carve and cut very sharp and quick corners on this vehicle, and it remains stable at top speed - unlike many other stand-up scooters I’ve tried. Once you learn how to shift your body weight and turn by changing your center of gravity, you’re not driving anymore - you’re surfing, and it is exhilarating. For those that have always wanted to feel what it’s like to surf, or snowboard, or skateboard, get on a Zuumer - you’ll get to a similar feeling with a much quicker learning curve.
A 1000 watt brushless front hub motor: This thing’s got power - 20mph top speeds are for real, not just a claim. And the unit didn’t slow down all that much going uphill. The fact that it’s integrated into the front hub makes this motor more efficient, less prone to wear, quieter, and easier to maintain than a motor with a chain or belt drive.
Another shot of the independent rear suspension system.
The modular battery pack under the scooter’s floorboard. Tom is sliding one out to illustrate how they are removed from the unit.
Two Modular Lithium Polymer batteries: Each battery is modular, and features a unique digital display that tells you how much charge and riding time is left on the battery. You can take the batteries out of the unit, and recharge them at home - there’s no need to wheel the whole scooter into your house to recharge. Together both batteries provide you with 20 miles of range. This is nothing short of amazing for a stand-up scooter, and is by far the longest claimed range I’ve ever seen for a scooter of this size.
An intelligent motor and battery controller: If the battery charge gets low, a ‘limp home’ mode kicks in that will slow down the motor to ensure you have enough charge to get home without completely discharging the batteries. This is useful when you get caught off guard with a low battery charge. You’ll get home slower, but you’ll get home.
A key less alarm system: This feature is the pinnacle of cool and useful. Basically, you get a key fob just like your car alarm. Press a button, and the unit turns itself on and is ready for action. Press another button, and the power is killed, and the alarm turns on. A mercury switch in the vehicle will activate a loud alarm if anyone tries to walk off with your scooter (the scooter will not operate with the alarm on). Another button activates a ‘panic’ mode, setting off the alarm. I have to say, this feature alone adds tremendous value to this product, as you can confidently step away from your prized scooter without worrying about it getting stealthily wheeled off while you’re getting your coffee. A definite real-life concern with my current unit, and a concern for anyone living in an urban environment.
The left handlebar. Notice the buttons for lights and the horn.
The right handlebar. Notice the electronic key dangling from the handlebar, and above it the cruise control button.
Cruise control: Yeah, you read that right. Cruise control. Crank up the throttle to the desired speed, press a button, and the scooter will remain at that speed until you hit the brakes. Now you’re riding! Now grab on to the middle of the handlebar with your leading hand, turn sideways, and you’ve got yourself a motorized snowboard, able to carve uphill or downhill. What a feeling - I know, I tried it. Seriously however, this feature will appeal to anyone who has ever ridden a stand-up scooter and knows what a pain it is to maintain a desired speed. The cruise control leaves you free to enjoy what the Zuumer is all about - that awesome feeling of surfing the concrete, at 20 mph.
Headlight, brake/taillight, and horn: You can ride the Zuumer at night if you need to, as the Zuumer includes a very light LED headlight and tailight system. A brake light also illuminates when you activate the brakes. A loud horn is also provided on the unit for when you need to get those slowpokes out of your way.
Three disk brakes: The Zuumer can safely stop from 20mph in less than 15 feet, and can do it without you flying off the unit. That’s impressive.
Adjustable handlebars: Short or tall, the Zuumer takes them all. The handlebars are adjustable, so you can set them to whatever height is comfortable for you.
Solid construction throughout: The Zuumer I rode was a pre-production model and made from high-quality machined aluminum and steel - it felt rock-solid to drive and was a thing of beauty to behold. The production models will be just as well-constructed, Tom said.
The Zuumer in all its glory.
How much does it cost for all this goodness? The retail price is currently set at $2,195, and Zuumcraft is taking deposits now for its first batch of Zuumers, due out in January 2009.
Tom calls the Zuumer “Cool, Green, Fun” and I have to agree with him on that point. All in all, I got to spend about an hour riding on the Zuumer with Tom, and it was exhilarating. I was able to ride the unit standing forward, like on a traditional stand-up. I was also able to ride it sideways, like a skateboard or snowboard. The unit was responsive to my every shift and turn, and I was quickly carving lazy S’es on the road. When we came to turns, I was able to lean into them and take them steeply at speeds which would have had me flying off of my regular stand-up. All in all, it was amazingly fun. At the end of my ride, I found myself stalling for more time, just to get a few more minutes with the device. What sucks now is that I have to wait for three months to get my hands on my own unit.
Tom and Zuumcraft are planning to sell the Zuumer directly online through their website, http://www.zuumcraft.com and have identified several target markets to sell the device to. I think that anyone who is interested in getting an alternative transportation device of any kind should take a good look at the Zuumer - in my mind, the target market is anyone who is interested in a fun, fast, and useful personal electric transportation device.
The Zuumer electric scooter, made by Zuumcraft, Inc. of San Diego, CA has got to be one of the most ingenious new stand-up electric scooters that I’ve seen in a long time. Developed by a gentleman named Tom Boyd, the Zuumer is an stand-up three-wheeled electric scooter that uses an innovative suspension system to let you steer the scooter by shifting your body weight - in effect, ’surfing’ the street. Now that is cool. The Zuumer is perhaps not what you would expect to be developed by a gentleman like Mr. Boyd - his background is in technical sales - but nonetheless, his scooter’s design is as innovative as any.
The Zuumer electric scooter has a low center of gravity and dual-arm independent suspension mechanism. This allows you to make sharp turns by shifting your body weight while turning, without tipping over. And like the Segway, you do a lot of steering through the shifting of your bodyweight. Unlike the Segway, it doesn’t have any complicated electronics or gyros which cost more money, and add yet another potential point of failure in the vehicle.
The technical specs: The Zuumer is driven by a 1000 watt front hub motor, and runs off a lithium-polymer battery that recharges in about four hours and will give you a 20-25 mile range, which is significant for such a small electric scooter. While I haven’t been able to find any specs yet on top speed, a 1000 watt motor should easily take you to 20 mph on a flat surface.
If you’re interested in buying one, you can head over to Zuumcraft and pluck down your deposit - the scooter is expected to cost between $2,000 - $2,100 and Zuumcraft plans to roll the first 150 of them out in January 2009. I’m seriously considering buying one myself. In any case, I will try and visit these folks soon so I can get some video of them in action and try one - I’ll give you a first-hand report as soon as I’m able to get the opportunity.
Check out this video below of the Zuumer in action.
San Diego-based ZuumCraft unveiled an ultralight electric scooter today that it says can maintain its balance during fast turns.
ZuumCraft started taking deposits this week for the three-wheeled, battery-powered scooter that is expected to sell for $2,000 to $2,100. CEO Bill Lofft told the Cleantech Group that ZuumCraft plans to ship 150 of the Zuumers in January in a limited production run but ramp to 300 a month around March.
The Zuumer runs off a lithium-ion polymer battery that charges in three-to-four hours and can run for 20-to-25 miles, or up to four hours, Lofft said. The battery was developed by Switzerland-based Bikeboard and is removable for charging.
