German manufacturer Volkswagen surprised media at the Shanghai Motor Show by revealing an electric scooter. The E-Scooter is a lightweight electric two-wheeler that tips the scales at 44 pounds without its nickel-metal hybride battery. Power is provided by a 350-watt motor. The small 110-Volt battery endows the scooter with a modest 25 mile range and 30 mph of top speed. But as VW’s director of design for China Simon Loasby explained, the bike’s range could easily be extended with a lithium ion battery for markets that demanded it.
Volkswagen e-Scooter in Shanghai
“Our idea was to come up with a solution for affordable mobility in megacities like Shanghai, and to give people who’ve never owned a car a way into the VW brand,” Loasby said. “The E-Scooter isn’t covered in VW badges, but you know it’s a VW from the shape of the frame, the detailing of the head- and taillight, and the premium quality of the product.”
Production version on the way?
While the E-Scooter is just a concept, Volkswagen is considering a production model in China.
via Autocar
