Getting around doesn't have to be a high-octane adventure.
One of the fastest-growing industries globally is micro transport; Small, high-tech, personal
transportation for one or two people, with a heavy focus on electric and green solutions.
It's a growing niche, including everyone from city workers, to urban couriers and emergency
response personnel.
A lot has changed since the early days of e-bikes, scooters, and mopeds.
New 2020 models showcase just how far we've come.
Let's check out 10 of the most innovative personal transports currently in development.
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Recently partnering with Swiss mobility experts, Micro, Mercedes-Benz is set to release a brand-new
Smart E-Scooter.
It's made from high-quality materials as you'd expect from Mercedes, guaranteed for 3100
miles.
Unlike typical scooters with a thumb-throttle, the Smart E-Scooter features a twist grip,
similar to that on a motorbike.
With 500W of power and a 280Wh battery that can be charged in just three and a half hours,
the E-Scooter has a fairly decent range of 15 miles at a top speed of 12 miles per hour.
The scooter also has Bluetooth connectivity, so with your phone in a bracket, the Mercedes
App will display speed, battery level, distance traveled, and trip duration.
It also stores away neatly with an intuitive folding mechanism operated efficiently by
a single foot.
Straight out of a scene from Mad Max, the DM-017 E-Fighter V2 is a post-apocalyptic
e-beast from bespoke online motorcycle company Droog Moto.
Onboard, the Zero DS's 34 kW brushless motor can generate 80-pound feet of torque instantly.
This translates to a blistering top speed of 100 miles per hour, meaning the DM-017
V2 E-Fighter doesn't just look dangerous; it's got some serious power.
You've got a choice between a base modular 3.6-kilowatt-hour battery that can be hot-swapped
or the larger, permanent 7.2-kilowatt-hour battery.
Based on the hugely popular Zero DS, the V2 E-Fighter has some surprising upgrades from
previous iterations.
It features all-terrain tires, lightweight solid wheels, updated LED lighting, regenerative
braking, Bluetooth integration, blue backlit digital speedometer, upgraded front, and rear
suspension, and a custom premium seat.
Each E-fighter is a custom build optimized for the rider.
As such, no two Droog Moto bikes are identical, and every rider gets a one-of-a-kind machine.
When it comes to firsts, the Ekooter by British start-up Ekoo managed to claim the title as
the world's first cylinder fold e-Bike.
While many e-bikes and e-scooters on the market already fold away to some extent, the EKooter
is unique in that it folds down to a sort of wheeled ring with a handle for easy transport.
According to Ekoo, the entire folding/unfolding process takes no more than five to seven seconds.
Packed inside the slimline rear module, the Ekooter sports a 350-watt rear hub motor powered
by a 10.5-Ah removable Samsung battery pack.
With just a two-to-three-hour charge, the battery is at capacity and can deliver speeds
up to 15.5 mph over a range of about 62 miles.
The Ekooter is surprisingly maneuverable, with a mechanical disc brake on the front
wheel and a drum brake in the rear for extra stopping power.
For added visibility, the Ekooter comes equipped with rear LED tail and brake lights as well
as a bright headlight for nigh-time riding.
What's the next step after going fully electric?
Never having to plug it in to charge!
The Screecher is a pedal-electric, solar vehicle designed by solar innovator, SunOX.
The four-wheeled, one-seater buggy has a curved overhead canopy, the outside lined with one
of two custom-made solar panels.
In the solar panel-line utility box, behind the driver's seat are two 350-W electric hub
motors and a 12.8-Ah/48-V Li-ion battery pack.
On a sunny day, the 100W and 50W solar panels can fully charge the battery in about six
hours.
Or, if you're impatient, the battery can be removed and charge from a wall outlet in much
less time.
With a max speed of 15 mph and a range of 20 miles per charge, there's always plan B
if the battery runs dead and the sun isn't shining. Pedal power!
Upon first glance at the Electric Cabin Scooter, it looks like an awkwardly compacted VW beetle.
A lovechild of a scooter and a single-rider cabin auto, the electric cabin scooter mixes
the convenience and maneuverability of a scooter with the added convenience and comfort of
a standard car.
Not every scooter can boast a luggage compartment, climate control, and weather protection, but
this strange hybrid manages it with two distinct models.
The TRIKE model is your standard 3-wheeler, complete with a 1500W motor that delivers
a top speed of 15 mph over a range of 25 miles.
One step up, the aptly named QUAD model features four wheels, a rear seat that can carry a
second passenger or luggage, and an upgraded engine.
Producing 2,500 wats, the QUAD maxes out at 30 mph over a range of 43 miles.
If you're after a robust, all-weather scooter with a non-traditional design, take a look
at the electric Scooter concept from Taur, currently raising production funds on Kickstarter.
Unlike traditional scooters with a standing deck, the Taur features side-by-side fold-out
aluminum foot platforms so the rider can stand front-on.
Solid, aircraft-grade aluminum alloy makes up the frame, and the large road-ready wheels
are equipped with Kevlar-reinforced, puncture-resistant pneumatic tires from Continental.
While there's no active suspension on the Taur, the low-pressure tires make potholes,
bumps, and pebbles a lot more bearable.
A 500W motor gives the Taur an impressive top speed of 24 mph, and a single charge will
reportedly take riders up to 22 miles.
Regenerative braking built into the rear hydraulic calipers helps recover some much-needed juice,
powering a 300-lumen LED headlight and a rear light that projects up the rider's back at night.
Part go-kart, part quad-bike, the 4x4 Mountain Cart by Polish manufacturer EV4 is an electric
trail vehicle designed to allow disabled drivers to experience off-road trail riding.
The riveted aluminum frame is lowered to allow easy access in and out of a wheelchair.
Meanwhile, all the controls are mounted to the handlebars.
A surprising 10kW of power is generated by four 2,500-W direct-drive motors that can
take the Mountain Cart to speeds of 25 mph.
The 48V lithium-ion battery can last up to 75 miles on a single charge.
Spring-loaded bike shocks provide suspension over uneven terrain.
At the same time, the 20-inch wheels covered in cross-country motorcycle tires help the
Mountain Cart stay in control in unpredictable conditions.
The Mountain Cart also comes equipped with an interactive LCD display that shows speed,
distance, and battery charge level.
When you think of Harley-Davidson bikes, the last thing you imagine is an electric bicycle
from the intimidating motorcycle manufacturer.
Doubly as confusing is the fact that this new electric prototype from the infamous motorcycle
maker is named after the first-ever Harley built back in 1903, nicknamed "Serial Number
One."
While the color scheme pays homage to the original, the rest of the design is completely
new.
A removable 529-Wh Lithium-ion battery will provide a range of between 35 and 105 miles.
Without pedaling, the Serial 1 can reach speeds up to 20 mph.
The Serial 1 E-Bike will reportedly be available in March 2021 in several variants.
The base model MOSH/CTY and the premium RUSH/CTY, which has three different tiers of value inclusions.
Most concept vehicles stay precisely that.
Weird and wonderful ideas that do more to impress aesthetically than designed for real
travel.
One exception is the Motorrad Definition CE 04 by BMW Motors.
Inspired by modular design and then supercharged with sci-fi elements, the Definition CE 04
graduated from concept to production, and while the final details aren't released, here's
what we know so far.
A low-sitting battery pack connects to a compact motor and drive belt system and reportedly
has the juice to make it 75 miles on a single charge.
Regenerative braking and fast charge capabilities are also rumored.
Definition CE 04 also sports one interesting feature that may be more commonplace in the
future than we realize.
Connected clothing that integrates with your bike, allowing your jacket to light up and
act as an indicator or brake light.
The jacket is also loaded with a power bank for charging your phone while on the road.
Bikes and scooters have always been the solution to gridlocked traffic; riders can easily skirt
around obstacles where larger vehicles can't.
In times of crisis, ambulances, fire engines, and police can't always push their way through
a traffic jam.
Designed by Wunderman Thompson Paris, the Emergency Bike was created
to quickly get first responders on the scene.
Built upon an e-Cargo bike base from Urban Arrow,
the Emergency Bike features a bottom bracket motor
powered by two 500-Wh lithium batteries.
Without pedaling, the battery can last up to 100 miles on a single charge;
that limit extended when pedal-assisted.
A 40-gallon insulated storage box is mounted to the bike's front,
useful for storing medical supplies and equipment.
A 140-decibel horn and a high-intensity flashing blue LED are mounted to warn motorists and pedestrians to make way,
adding to the mini-emergency vehicle feel.