Milan has announced one of Europe’s most ambitious mobility schemes, known as Strade Aperte (open roads). Its goal is to reduce cars in phase 2 of the lockdown by increasing bike lanes and pedestrian areas.
The legendary Vespa is back and it’s electric
The Vespa is back in an electric version. Production has just started and the first models can be reserved online starting from October.
The official announcement was made at the end of August. The Piaggio group has started production for the new electric Vespa, the long awaited zero emission model of the world’s most famous and beloved scooter. It is useless to say that the news has already travelled across the world and many fans are anxiously waiting for their chance to reserve a Vespa, starting from the beginning October, exclusively online. The price is 6,390 euros.
Electric Vespa was born in Pontedera, Italy, just like in 1946
Electric Vespa will be produced in the historic Pontedera facility, in the province of Pisa, Italy, the same place where the legendary Vespa was born in 1946. Today, that same facility has become the symbol of technological advancement of the Piaggio group and the seat of future mobility solutions.
Performances will be those of a 50cc scooter
In the Fifties the Vespa was a pop icon, at the centre of many stories, journeys and adventures; now it’s back in an electric version with many new features, starting from the electric motor. The scooter’s new “heart” produces a maximum of 4kW, which means in practical terms that the scooter’s performance is slightly better than a traditional 50cc scooter. An added bonus is given by the acceleration and uphill push, typical features of electric motors.
Electric Vespa can travel 100 kilometres on a full charge
Mostly designed for traffic in urban areas, the Electric Vespa has a 100 kilometre “fuel tank”, provided by a lithium ion battery and an efficient energy recovery system that recharges batteries during deceleration. The scooter can be recharged via a cable under the seat, (where the old fuel tank lid used to be) it can be connected to a normal electrical outlet or a charge station. A full recharge takes approximately four hours.
Read also: The Volkswagen van is back. It will be electric and self-driving
Manoeuvres are made easier with the addition of a reverse gear
Piaggio ensures batteries will be fully efficient up to one thousand complete recharge cycles, i.e. a travelled distance between 70 and 90 thousand kilometres, the equivalent of more than ten years in a city. Beyond that, the battery still operates at 80 per cent of its capacity. A button on the handle allows you to choose between Eco and Power driving modes, whilst parking manoeuvres are made easier by a reverse gear.
Electric Vespa is now connected
A dedicated app will allow you to connect your Electric Vespa from your smartphone via Bluetooth (one of the available accessories is a helmet that integrates connection and headphones, this allows to answer phone calls with the buttons present on the handle and use the smartphone’s vocal commands. The remote key integrates the “bike finder” function, and a handy usb outlet can be found in the space under the seat. The Electric Vespa can be customised and has been presented in the chrome grey colour, and the first models will be available for reservation from the beginning of October, exclusively online, through a dedicated website, which is not yet available. Actual sales will start in November.
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