Twist and go
Home » Magazine » Good, issue 2 » The goods » Twist and goForget petrol. Dump diesel. Think electric scooter
Forget petrol. Dump diesel. Biofuel? Now that’s very un-PC. As for hybrids? Don’t get started on that debate. Instead, if you don’t want a heart attack every time you head to the petrol pump, and want to seriously decrease your carbon footprint, then think electric. Better still, think electric scooter … and decrease stress while you escape traffic jams and zip around the city.
More and more commuters are going electric, and one large corporation is even getting behind the alternative transport.
The Auckland Regional Council’s sustainability programme manager, Paul Chambers, is in charge of refocusing the company’s fleet. He’s introducing two German-made E-Max electric scooters to the fleet. Not only are the bikes extremely cost-effective, “those two scooters will replace one car,” he says.
What about the rest of us? Electric scooters, or mopeds as they are recognised by Land Transport NZ, are easy-peasy to use. Sit on one, turn on the key, hold on to the handbrake as you press the ‘on’ button, and with a bit of throttle you take off.
You don’t need a special motorbike licence for models under 2,000 watts; scooter riders simply need a valid New Zealand motor vehicle licence. Easy to manoeuvre, park and ride, scooters can travel 60 to 80 kilometres on a full charge with a top speed close to 50kph—meaning they’re not permitted on motorways.
An inner city 15km trip would cost 10 cents, based on travelling 50kph for 15km with an 85kg load. The cost, of course, comes later, on your electricity bill.
Auckland company ElectroScoot has been importing electric mopeds since the beginning of the year, after managing director Robin Clendon visited China and saw how popular they are there.
ElectroScoot scooters currently come in two models, 1,000 and 1,500 watts, and retail for about $2,200 and $2,400 respectively. The difference in wattage means increased power for the 1,500-watt scooter, which is able to carry passengers weighing up to 120kgs. ElectroScoot is expecting its first 2,000-watt models to arrive in late August; Land Transport NZ says these will require a motorcycle licence.
Electric scooters are virtually maintenance-free. Their only requirements are tyres, brakes and light bulbs now and then. The scooters’ long-life sealed batteries need to be replaced only every two to three years.
More electric scooter owners are asking councils to introduce charge-up spots for commuters, but filling up at home is the best option for now. “You simply charge it overnight and the next day you are again ready to drive away,” says Robin. “It’s as simple as that.”
