Electric-powered commuter mopeds and scooters are a growing sector of the industry. With marketing suggesting “less than 1p per mile” is now possible from an e-scooter, it’s no wonder their popularity is growing.
The poor range and low speed of the earliest attempts at these vehicles are a thing of the past.
We thought we’d look at some of the fastest examples of this section of the two-wheeled world.
BMW CE 04
- Top Speed: 75mph
- Torque: 45.7Nm
- Weight: 230kg
- Range: 80 miles
- Charge Time: 4 hours and 20 minutes
The CE 04 is a bold design. It manages to look futuristic and retro at the same time while keeping a BMW aesthetic intact. The various shades of gunmetal, grey, and orange give this a spaceship-like quality.
With about 42bhp of power, the spaceship analogy is apt. The CE 04 can do 0-31mph in 2.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 75mph. It also boasts a short charge time of four hours and twenty minutes from a regular domestic socket. This can be reduced to one hour and forty minutes with the optional 850GBP quick charger.
Three drive modes are included:
- Eco delivers smooth but soft acceleration with maximum battery regeneration from engine braking.
- Road reduces the amount of engine braking and significantly boosts acceleration.
- Dynamic mode gives you unthrottled acceleration off the line and lets you leave most traffic in the dust at lights.
This machine from BMW operates on a different level than many others on our list – both in terms of its function and cost. But if money is no object and you want the fastest, most premium e-scooter on earth, this might be the machine for you.
Silence S01+
- Top Speed: 68mph
- Torque: 190Nm
- Weight: 150kg
- Range: 85 miles
- Charge Time: 8.5 hours
There’s no denying the big-boy style and presence of the Spanish Silence S01+. It pairs futuristic, maxi-scooter-style fairing with an upright seating position over a fairly long swingarm. This allows the designers to hide the powerful 5.6kWhkw battery under the rider.
This battery unit is easily removable, using a trolley-style system. When it’s time to charge, the hefty battery pack sprouts wheels and a handle and rolls to the nearest charging point.
This makes light work of its 40kg weight. The S01+ boasts an estimated range of 85 miles from a single charge. And the clever placement of this battery pack also leaves a lot more under-seat storage than we’re used to seeing in an electric moped.
The S01 is heavy at 150kg. But placing that weight at the lowest centre of gravity helps keep the handling light.
Speed is limited to 62mph. But you’ll be hitting that limit quickly and smoothly due to the upgraded 7.5k.W motor. This moped will go from 0-30mph in 3.9 seconds. And it uses an innovative “push-to-pass” overtaking mode that temporarily boosts power. This allows you to hit speeds of 68mph – pretty swift for its class.
The only criticism we’ve seen levelled at these is that throttle pick-up can feel slightly off when accelerating from a standstill.
There’s a slight jerkiness to the power delivery. But only momentarily and at the lower end of the power band.
One feature which interested us was the integrated battery heater. Rather than forcing a charge into a cold, uncooperative battery, it first heats the unit to a more efficient temperature. This results in longer battery life. Silence claim to have batteries with 25k miles that still hold 97% of their charge.
SEAT MÓ eScooter 125
- Top Speed: 68mph
- Torque: 190Nm
- Weight: 150kg
- Range: 85 miles
- Charge Time: 8.5 hours
Here’s an interesting one. The Seat Mo is the car brand’s first foray into e-scooters. And you may notice that it’s distinctly similar to Silence’s model featured above.
This is due to a collaboration between the two companies. And like that machine, this Seat is comparable to its combustion counterparts with a few key differences. Despite a weight of 150kg, this feels light and nimble.
This is thanks in part to the placement of the weighty 40kg battery pack. Its low position keeps the centre of gravity away from the steering column and suspension. Combined with the reverse gear, this clever weight distribution makes the scooter feel lighter than it should.
Most of what we said about the Silence machine rings true here – the same clever trolley battery pack, slightly underwhelming suspension, and lively 12bhp motor in the rear wheel.
The torque is pretty serious here – like, best-in-class serious. Coming in at a whopping (for a 125-equivalent) at 240Nm, this machine can do 0-31mph in 3.9 seconds. This will allow you to streak away from many combustion machines at the lights.
Battery life is decent too. A clever braking system helps with this. Pulling the left-hand brake applies both brakes, while pulling the right-hand brake only engages the front disc and allows for regenerative engine braking.
There’s a lot to like about this Seat e-scooter. If you liked the futuristic styling of the Silence but were put off by the brand’s relative obscurity, this might be for you. It’s one of the more unique machines on our list, and we like its maxi-style fairing. This one is not cheap, but it is striking, well-built, and very science fiction.
Rieju Nuuk
- Top Speed: 62mph
- Torque: 43Nm
- Weight: 150kg
- Range: 186 miles
- Charge Time: 5.4 hours standard, 1.8 hours fast
This unique machine comes from a Rieju. We recently covered this company when we looked at its impressive off-road range. (Read our Rieju motorcycles review.) Those were powerful, well-built bikes. But none of them made us smile the way the Nuuk does. And this thing cracks 60mph with ease.
From the gold, upside-down forks, the exposed frame, and the high clearance on the rear wheel, this moped has some grown-up style.
There’s some DNA from the classic Honda Cub and CT series. But there’s also some futuristic styling thanks to the LED headlight array and massive battery in the step-through area. It also uses a grown-up 280mm front disc brake for real stopping power.
Rieju has also made the passenger seat removable. In its place, a large storage box can be quickly installed. This is big enough for your typical urban food delivery driver to fit several large meals, making the Nuuk appealing as a commercial vehicle.
The Nuuk is available in 28mph and 70mph variants. These come with an estimated range of 50 miles and 70 miles, respectively.
Standard charging takes five hours, but a fast-charge option reduces that time to 1.2 hours.
This moped from Rieju lacks the usual scooter-like weather protection usually seen in the electric scooter market. But for this sacrifice, it gains some grown-up looks, sheds some weight, and offers some serious top-speed fun. Not for everyone – but seriously cool.
NIU MQi GT EVO
- Top Speed: 62mph
- Torque: 56.2Nm
- Weight: 128kg
- Range: 46 miles
- Charge Time: 5 hours
Niu’s MQI GT model is the Chinese firm’s fastest 125cc-equivalent model. And it has the agile handling and performance of a typical, combustion, sport-style scooter, accelerating to 50mph quickly before climbing to its maximum of 70mph.
A sport mode is included, which gives the GT enough power to keep up with its combustion counterparts. With this mode engaged, the Evo is a lively feeling e-moped.
Underseat storage is mainly taken up by the removable battery, however. Those looking to carry luggage or shopping bags will have to invest in the optional extra top box.
The included TFT screen is bright and looks durable. Using the app on your phone, you can interface with GT, customizing many parts of your riding experience.
It supports features like real-time vehicle location, tyre pressure monitors, and a customisable alarm that tells you if someone’s moved your bike. All pretty advanced for the price.
An internal sim card also allows for some unique features. The Evo can update its own software as you leave it charging overnight. This same feature also gives you GPS positioning and journey tracking through the app.
The EVO is undoubtedly more than a cheap knock-off of more expensive designs. But the price point may also be a little high for some riders.
Considering the price of one of these could get you a new combustion 125 from Honda plus our riding equipment, not everyone will go electric. Lots to see here for urban commuters, though.
Zapp i300 Carbon
- Top Speed: 60mph
- Torque: 85Nm
- Weight: 100kg
- Range: 56 miles
- Charge Time: 4 hours
We gave the Silence and the Seat kudos for their futuristic look. This electric rocket sledge from Zapp looks like it’s come straight from the pages of a Phillip K Dick novel – and we love it. And listen to this – the i300 produces 587Nm of torque at the rear wheel. This is superbike level.
There’s some marketing hype to cut through with this latest offering from Zapp. But their claims of “superbike-type acceleration” stand up to scrutiny.
The max speed is limited to 60mph. But getting up to that is smooth and lightning fast. And we don’t doubt there are those that can squeeze a lot more top end from these (we don’t encourage that sort of thing).
But there’s more to this than speed and killer looks. Many electric mopeds eschew ABS due to their low weight – not the Zapp. It uses a two-sensor ABS braking system and adjustable suspension at both ends.
Speaking of suspension, that rear mono-shock gives things a distinctive look. And the unusual, angular chassis covering the front forks is equally interesting to look at.
The i300 features twin batteries that offer a range of only 37 miles. This is a deliberate design choice. Zapp has opted to appeal to an urban market, where their research suggests an average daily commute of only 12 miles. These packs are relatively small and light. Carrying an extra one would extend the range of your i300 significantly.
The aesthetics here are probably a bit of a Marmite situation. But whatever you feel about futuristic e-scooters, it is nice to see the inclusion of adjustable suspension and ABS brakes.
We can see this being a hit with the youth market. And the fact that it’s designed in the UK and manufactured in Thailand makes it even better.
Horwin EK3
- Top Speed: 60mph
- Torque: 1955Nm
- Weight: 95kg (without battery)
- Range: 60 miles
- Charge Time: 4 hours
Designed in Austria and manufactured in China, Horwin makes well-built and attractive machines, as a rule. The look of the EK3 is a mix of old and new. There are some elements from classic Italian design but also some sleek, utilitarian elements to the fairing that look more modern.
The seating position is upright and comfortable here. In many of the slower mopeds with shorter ranges, you can tell the bike isn’t meant to be ridden for extended periods. With a range of 60 miles and a top speed of 60mph, the EK3 has the potential for longer journeys. And the plush seat and upright position help with this.
Two Samsung batteries provide power to the EK3 and require about 4 hours for a full charge. The delivery of this power is smooth and instant. This scooter does 0-60kph in 6 seconds.
Extras included here are keyless ignition, LED lighting, touch start display, cruise control, reverse gear, and respectable under-seat storage.
Horwins price tag may be approaching those of the bigger names in the market. But the build quality and aesthetics are also comparable. The EK3 is fast, has a decent range, uses a quality, combined braking system, and its quality batteries should last many charging cycles.