In this article, we explore the best electric scooters (plus one outsider) according to LifeGate, for anyone looking to adopt a more sustainable urban mobility lifestyle.
Urban mobility increasingly calls for new approaches. While new models such as MaaS and MaaC (Mobility as a Service and Mobility as a Community) help us move around our cities more efficiently, electric scooters together with micromobility are the best tools for getting from one side of the city to the other. Electric two-wheelers, aided also by state incentives, are winning over ever-wider market segments. But before we look at which are the best electric scooters of 2024, let's take things one step at a time.
To overcome any hesitation about making a purchase, in many cities you can try one of the many scooter sharing services, giving you a first taste of how pleasant and enjoyable it is to move through traffic nimbly, quietly and efficiently on an electric scooter, without the anxiety of finding a parking space (and, as we shall see, without the anxiety of having to recharge either). What's more, switching to an electric scooter, perhaps instead of the car, can help reduce emissions in our cities.
What licence do you need to ride an electric scooter
Let's start with a very common question: how does an electric scooter work? Simply, like any traditional scooter with the "old" internal combustion engine. The handlebar controls are the same. The big difference is the silence, the presence of a more or less powerful electric motor, and a battery — usually lithium-ion, the most efficient available today. No local emissions, no tanks to fill, no fluids such as oils or petrol. Electric scooters can be charged at home from a domestic socket, from wallboxes or from dedicated charging stations; charging speed depends on a number of factors: technology, charging power and the remaining level of charge. Range varies depending on the model and the power of the battery.
When it comes to incentives for purchasing an electric scooter, it is always best to stay up to date on the Ministry website to find out about fund availability and the actual disbursement timelines. The allocation of funds for 2024 is expected to become effective by May. To give an idea, the Ecobonus amounts to 30 per cent of the vehicle's value (excluding VAT), with a maximum of 3,000 euros. The contribution rises to 40 per cent if a polluting vehicle is scrapped. Important: the discount is applied directly at the point of purchase.
The foundation is the successful eS series that Askoll has refined and updated over the years, but the look is radically different — more aggressive and sporty. An electric scooter with a dynamic and muscular design, the XKP is available in two variants, the L1 and its bigger sibling the L3-homologated version, which differ only in top speed: the former reaches 45 km/h and the latter 66 km/h. This naturally also results in a different electric range: the L1 goes up to 87 kilometres, while the L3 reaches 90. Both are powered by a 2.7 kW electric motor capable of delivering a torque of 158 Nm in the L1 and 130 Nm in the L3 version.
They are fitted with two removable lithium-ion batteries of 1.4 kWh each which, thanks to their weight of just 7.6 kg, can be charged from a standard domestic socket in around 6 hours. Weighing 71 kilograms, the Askoll electric scooter suits a wide audience, also thanks to its low seat height of 76 centimetres from the ground. The 16-inch wheels ensure comfort and safety even on uneven surfaces, helping to absorb road irregularities and provide greater grip. Braking is handled by a 230 mm disc at the front (190 mm in the L1 version) and a 190 mm disc at the rear. Thanks to the dedicated myAskoll app, it is always possible to remotely check where the scooter is, record your routes, check the amount of CO2, store service reminders and much more.
Price: from 5,090 euros
Designed for quiet, electric urban mobility, with a power output of 31 kW (42 horsepower) for the more powerful version or 23 kW (31 horsepower) for the entry-level version, the Bmw CE 04 electric scooter offers a top speed of 120 km/h in both models — more than sufficient for an electric scooter. The 8.9 kWh battery delivers an electric range of 100 or 130 kilometres. There are three riding modes: Eco (ideal in the city as it allows maximum energy regeneration, maximising range), Rain and Road, to which a fourth option can be added for those in a hurry: Dynamic. An electric scooter with an urban character, on the Bmw CE 04 the 8.9 kWh lithium-ion battery can be charged via a standard domestic socket, a wallbox or public charging stations, with times ranging from around 4 hours and 20 minutes for a full charge, down to 1 hour and 40 minutes if the (optional, at extra cost) fast charger is purchased. The advice — for this and for the other electric scooters in this round-up — is always to "top up" wherever possible and avoid letting the battery drain completely; this way, going from 20 to 80 per cent charge takes the CE 04 around 45 minutes.
Price: from 10,500 euros
The EM1 e: is Honda's first electric scooter aimed at the European market, to be followed by a further 10 electric models globally by 2025. The initials "EM" stand for Electric moped and "the model is aimed at a young audience looking for an easy and fun way to get around in an urban environment with zero emissions," as stated in a manufacturer's press release. Compact, with a flat footboard and designed for city use and commuting, the EM1 e: features a single-beam steel tubular frame, telescopic fork, twin shock absorbers, and front disc/rear drum brakes. The electric motor is located in the wheel hub, and the Mobile power pack system can be removed to allow charging at home using the dedicated charger. A digital dashboard, underseat storage compartment and USB charging socket are among its features.
The declared range is 41.3 kilometres and the top speed is 45 km/h, comparable to a 50 cc moped. With a single charge, the range can reach up to 48 kilometres in Econ mode (30 in "real-world" conditions); the battery is removable and can be taken out and recharged at home (it weighs 5.3 kg and charge status is indicated by a convenient LED indicator light). Full charging time from zero is approximately 6 hours; going from 25 to 75 per cent requires 2.7 hours. Under the seat there is 3.3 litres of storage space, and on the left side of the bodywork there is a small internal compartment that can hold a half-litre water bottle. Compact in size, the EM1 e: is 1,860 mm long with a ground clearance of 135 mm and a weight of 95 kg, battery included.
Price: from €3,199
NEO's my 2022 is Yamaha's first electrically powered scooter, equivalent under regulations to 50 cc models. Positioned beneath the seat at the centre of the frame, the 50.4 V/19.2 Ah lithium-ion battery weighs 8 kg and delivers a declared range of approximately 37 kilometres. The NEO's electric scooter is fitted with a connector and housing for an optional second battery that can extend the range to approximately 68 kilometres. The battery can be charged either while installed on the vehicle or after being removed and connected to a power socket. The NEO's comes with a portable charger compatible with a standard domestic socket.
A full charge takes approximately 8 hours. There are two different riding modes depending on conditions and personal preferences, which can be changed using the switch on the right-hand control cluster. STD mode offers the maximum output power of 2.06 kW at 40 km/h and is designed for road use. ECO mode aims to reduce battery consumption and is suited to longer journeys, to achieve the maximum possible distance. In ECO mode, maximum power is reduced to 1.58 kW at 30 km/h and top speed is limited to 35 km/h, while power and speed are reduced to extend battery life and achieve a declared maximum range of approximately 38.5 kilometres on a full charge.
Price: from €2,999
To be clear from the outset: the Talaria xXx TL2500 L1e is not a scooter, but the road-going version of an electric motocross bike — an alternative we chose to include as an outsider that is nonetheless suitable for urban mobility. Made by a Chinese brand, the features of this urban electric motorcycle include a reinforced and adjustable 37 mm fork, 220 mm hydraulic brakes front and rear, a frame with an integrated battery compartment and, as mentioned, road tyres (in place of the offroad tyres typical of other electric models in the brand's range). The declared range is approximately 80 kilometres at a speed of 40 km/h. This road-going xXx version is designed for urban commuter use — in other words, to combine comfort and practicality — as a possible alternative to the more conventional low-wheeled scooter.
A weight of 58 kg, the long seat, the 17″ road-pattern wheels and the 60 V, 40 Ah battery allow a range of over 80 km on a full charge. The Talaria range includes road and off-road models, all fitted with LG lithium-ion batteries and designed for use both in urban centres and in natural settings, where silence and zero emissions are the guiding values, without sacrificing fun and personal passions. Homologated in the L1e category (moped), Talaria bikes can be ridden from the age of 14 with an AM licence and from the age of 18 with a B licence.
Price: from €4,690
The beating heart of the electric scooter offered by the automotive brand Seat, the MÓ 125, is the 12-horsepower synchronous electric motor, characterised by powerful delivery and instant acceleration which, on the Performance version, reaches an even higher level of performance thanks to the e-Boost function. When riding at speeds above 80 km/h, it is possible to activate the function, which provides greater thrust and allows a top speed of 105 km/h to be reached for a period of 30 seconds (after 2 minutes the system can be reactivated), thus facilitating any overtaking manoeuvres, thanks to acceleration from 0 to 50 km/h in 2.9 seconds.
The MÓ 125 offers a removable trolley-style battery pack that is easy to carry. The 5.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack weighs just over 40 kg and provides a (declared) range of up to 133 kilometres. The battery can be charged while still fitted to the vehicle, but can also be removed and connected to a domestic socket. A full charge via a domestic power supply takes between 6 and 8 hours.
Price: from €4,760
The Piaggio 1 is an electric scooter designed for urban mobility, recently available in a new, more powerful version. The moped version (Piaggio 1), with a speed limited to 45 km/h, can count on a peak power output of 2.3 kW, while the motorcycle version (Piaggio 1 Active) reaches a peak of 3 kW. Equipment includes a colour digital instrument cluster, full LED lighting, a keyless system and a generously sized underseat compartment capable of holding a full-face jet helmet. Performance is impressive: a top speed of 45 km/h and a range of up to 55 kilometres (in Eco mode) for the Piaggio 1, while the Piaggio 1 Active sees speed rise to 60 km/h and range up to 85 kilometres, again in Eco mode.
The colour range is twofold: Forever grey, Forever white and Forever black are the three more understated colour options, which emphasise its clean, essential design, while Sunshine mix, Arctic mix and the new Flame mix are three two-tone liveries that bring out its younger, fresher spirit.
Price: from €1,949
The base is that of the successful eS series that Askoll has r