Eicma 2019, the International Bicycle and Motorcycle Exhibition, is back in Milan. From e-bikes to scooters, electric motorcycles and quads — here is a guide to making sure you don't miss a single new arrival.
Eight pavilions, two more than last year, and hundreds of previews, concepts and new models. There is also space for the e-bike phenomenon — pedal-assisted bicycles that, as a new feature of this edition, can also be tested by the public on an indoor track dedicated to two-wheeled green vehicles. In short, the 2019 edition of Eicma, the International Bicycle and Motorcycle Exhibition, is opening up ever more to innovation, with electric vehicles — still a clear minority, but spanning scooters, motorcycles (still few…), electric bicycles and micromobility — steadily winning more ground.
Eicma 2019 is open to the public from today, 7 November (from 9.30 to 18.30), with different hours depending on the day: Friday (from 9.30 to 22.00, with free admission for female visitors), Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 November (from 9.30 to 18.30). The entrance ticket costs 19 euros. For those arriving at the fair by motorcycle, covered parking is free (PM1 – West gate of the exhibition complex). For everyone else, the metro is recommended (Rho Fiera stop), which goes directly to the exhibition.
Eight pavilions, two more than last year, and 1,800 exhibitors from 53 countries. Given that there is a great deal to see, and the new arrivals are spread across virtually all the pavilions, we provide a practical guide to help you plan your visit and pre-select what to see. An example? If you are an e-bike enthusiast, you will find all the exhibitors in a single pavilion (22). Pavilion 18 houses an indoor test-ride area with a circuit stretching over 200 metres, complete with obstacles to test, for example, the climbing ability and acceleration typical of pedal-assisted mountain bikes. The other electric novelties (motorcycles and scooters) are instead spread across all the pavilions.
Before getting into the heart of the exhibition, here briefly are the figures provided by Eicma on the electric two-wheeler market. In 2018, 47,179 electric powered two-wheelers were registered in Europe (up 36 per cent on 2017), representing 3.7 per cent of the market. Italy, with 3,600 units sold in 2018, saw a 44 per cent increase compared with 2017. E-bikes fared even better: according to Confindustria Ancma, an estimated 173,000 units were sold, equal to +16.8 per cent compared with 2017.
The Start Up e Innovation area returns again this year — Eicma 2019's window onto the future of mobility, where visitors can meet young people and start-uppers from around the world, as well as discover new mobility solutions and prototypes. You will find everything in Pavilion 11.
The Vicenza-based company is previewing the new generation of electric scooters developed in collaboration with Italdesign. The Dixy range comprises two scooters: the entry-level model has a maximum power output of 1.5 kW, reaches 45 km/h and has a range of 45 kilometres. The electric motor is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack weighing 7.6 kilograms. The Dixi plus model has a maximum power output of 2.2 kW, a maximum range of 71 kilometres, and two battery packs with a combined capacity of 2,090 Wh. Askoll is in Pavilion 11, Stand I32.
The Hurba scooter is the proposal of a young Rome-based start-up. A 1.2 kW motor powered by a removable battery that can be recharged in approximately 3.5 hours directly from a domestic socket. The scooter is equipped with dual disc brakes, cruise control, reverse gear and a remote-control ignition. The digital display on the dashboard also integrates a USB port for charging your smartphone while riding. Hurba is available in two versions: City Go, with a range of 50 kilometres, and Urban Ranger, with two batteries and a range of 100 kilometres. Hurba is in Pavilion 11, Stand C37.
The surprise at the stand is Kymco RevoNex, the first electric motorcycle unveiled at Eicma 2019 as a world premiere. Impressive performance (0–100 acceleration in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 205 km/h). For now it is a concept, but it could soon (by 2021) become the first electric motorcycle bearing the Kymco name — a brand that until now has focused on scooters. On the subject of electric scooters, the Kymco i-One DX makes its debut: two lithium-ion batteries, a range of 90 kilometres and a top speed of 74 km/h.
Kymco is in Pavilion 11, Stand E28.
ME Group, a Brescia-based company, is presenting the new ME 6.0 electric scooter: a top speed of 80 kilometres, it stands out for its power output (6–10 kW), which, according to the manufacturer, guarantees above-average market performance.
Innocenti SA, owner of the iconic Lambretta brand, announces at Eicma 2019 the introduction of an electric Lambretta at the upcoming Delhi Auto Expo 2020. The longstanding rival of the Vespa, the company has announced the launch of the electric version of the historic scooter for next February, with the opening of 610 dealerships in 37 countries. Lambretta is in Pavilion 9, Stand G85.
Asian brand NIU is presenting three new electric scooters, developed in collaboration with Bosch: the MQiGT, with 14-inch wheels, two batteries and a 3 kW Bosch motor (top speed of 70 km/h and a range of 135 kilometres). The less powerful UQiGT Pro offers 45 km/h and a range of 50 kilometres. The NQiGTs Pro delivers a range of up to 150 kilometres. The three electric scooters will reach the market by spring. NIU is in Pavilion 9, Stand C50.
Peugeot's electric scooter is called the e-Ludix. With 2.5 kW of power, a top speed of 45 km/h, a battery offering up to 50 kilometres of range, two seats and four riding modes (Boost, Go, Cruise and Crawl). Peugeot is in Pavilion 11, stand 030.
We had already told you about the Vespa Elettrica. Alongside the original version, designed for predominantly urban use (it is type-approved as a moped), with a speed limited to 45 km/h, at Eicma 2019 Piaggio is presenting the Vespa Elettrica 70 km/h. This is a new, more powerful version capable of reaching a top speed of 70 km/h with a range of 70 km. The base is the same as the Vespa Elettrica but with some aesthetic details in red. Piaggio is in Pavilion 24, stand O66.
The C1S electric scooter presented by Chinese brand Yadea takes its inspiration from the lines of a retro racing car. Fitted with a 3.0 kW motor mounted laterally, with a peak output of 6.0 kW, it takes just 5 seconds to reach its top speed of 80 km/h. The 72 V, 43 Ah lithium battery offers a range of 100 km. A series of apps allows users to check all vehicle information at any time. First deliveries in Europe are expected to take place in spring. Yadea is in Pavilion 14, Stand A 48.
At Eicma 2019 Italian startup WoW! — from Lombardy to be precise, with its headquarters in Saronno — makes its debut, presenting two electric scooter prototypes. With outputs of 4.0 or 6.0 kW, the two models offer a range of 110 or 130 kilometres respectively. Features include full-LED lighting, batteries on either side of the rear seat and a generous helmet compartment located under the front seat with a capacity of 70 litres (able to accommodate two helmets). The models could reach the market as early as next year. WoW! is in Pavilion 18, Stand G78.
The German marque is once again showing at Eicma 2019 the prototype that previews its first electric motorcycle. It is called the Vision DC Roadster and stands out for its design, which evokes the boxer-engine philosophy that defines many of the brand's motorcycles. No technical specifications are known at this stage, only a likely market launch date: 2021. Bmw is in Pavilion 13, stand N54.
The success of Energica continues to grow — the Modena-based manufacturer of electric motorcycles that compete in the MotoE World Cup, whose story we have already told you. "Thanks to the great work and the significant investments made, which have been fundamental to our development, the results for the first half of 2019 confirm Energica Motor Company among the leaders in the EV market, with revenue growth of more than 57% compared to the first half of 2018," said Livia Cevolini, CEO of Energica, at Eicma 2019. There are numerous new arrivals at the stand, with the refreshed MY2020 electric motorcycle range comprising the Ego+, Eva EsseEsse9+ and the all-new Eva Ribelle. Ten electric motorcycles are on display at the stand, including the Ego Corsa, the racing bike at the heart of the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup global competition, whose first final will take place on 17 November in Valencia. Energica is in Pavilion 15, Stand Q48.
California's Zero Motorcycles is launching its top-of-the-range model for 2020, the electric DSR Black Forest Edition. In Europe, the DSR Black Forest Edition is available in the 11 kW variant, with battery options of 7.2 kWh and 14.4 kWh. Zero Motorcycles is in Pavilion 18, stand I90
Quadro Vehicles is presenting two offerings at Eicma 2019: the eQooder, a four-wheeled electric vehicle with a range of around 150 kilometres and a 45 kW motor. The QVe has three wheels, two of which are at the front, a range of 110 kilometres and a motor with an output of 34 kW. Quadro is in Pavilion 11, stand E47.
From the inventors of the Segway, among the pioneers of micromobility, come some unusual hybrid-powered adventure vehicles. They feature a 1,000 cc engine and a second electric motor. The batteries provide an electric-only range of around 40 kilometres. Segway is in Pavilion 11, Stand 10