Urban Transport

Stigo electric scooter is claimed to be the fastest folder in town

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The Stigo folding electric scooter in Paris
Design sketches of the Stigo folding electric scooter
The Stigo folding electric scooter in Paris
The Estonian-designed electric scooter was launched on September 20 at the 1,000 Pionniers event in Paris
Sure to be a head-turner, the Stigo electric scooter
The Estonian-designed Stigo electric scooter
The Stigo electric scooter folds up and is ready to roll in just two seconds
The Stigo features twist-grip acceleration control, a 250 W hub motor, and a 36 V liFePO4 battery
When folded, the Stigo is 45 x 40 cm and weighs 17 kg
When folded, the Stigo is reported to be about the size of a golf bag
View gallery - 9 images

After spending five years in development, a new Estonian-designed electric scooter was launched on September 20 at the 1,000 Pionniers event in Paris. The Stigo has a top speed of 25 km/h (15 mph) and a range of up to 40 km (25 miles) per charge, and is folded up and ready to roll in just two seconds.

The Stigo features twist-grip acceleration control, a 250 W hub motor, and a 36 V liFePO4 battery (which can be charged from a regular all outlet). There's LED lighting front and back, side-mounted reflectors, caliper brakes on each wheel and a center-mounted display on the handlebars that shows remaining charge and speed.

When folded, the Stigo is reported to be about the size of a golf bag

At the end of a ride, locking mechanisms in the seat and frame are released to collapse the seat support down towards the back wheel (while raising the footrests at the same time), and allow the front wheel and handlebars to fold into the body of the scooter. When folded, it's reported to be about the size of a golf bag and tips the scales at 17 kg (37.5 lb). Small stabilizing wheels at the rear come into play when the Stigo is being dragged behind, and also act as support when the scooter stands upright.

Unfortunately we don't have any more specs to share with you at the moment, but we have contacted Stigobike's CEO Rando Pikner for more information. We'll update this post when we get a response.

The Stigo is priced at €2,370 (about US$3,200), and is claimed to be street legal in its target market, where it's classed as a limited performance scooter. Its developers plan to ship the first 200 to Europe by Q2 - Q3 of 2014, hoping to increase production to 8,000 units by 2015.

The video below shows the Stigo zipping around the sunny Paris streets earlier this month.

Update (09/24/13): We have received a little more information from Stigobike. The scooter's frame is currently made from aluminum, but the developers are looking into the possibility of using carbon fiber in the future for an extra-lightweight version.

The Stigo has 12-inch tires front and back. The battery pack is not user-replaceable, though we've been informed that the lithium ferrophosphate batteries should be good for a few years before the scooter needs to head for a maintenance workshop for a refresh. A companion smartphone app is being created that will include such things as riding history, and social and security aspects.

Stigobike is looking to introduce its electric scooter to the US by the end of 2014.

Source: Stigobike

View gallery - 9 images
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10 comments
Milton
Pretty awesome. And wow... that sure is a quick "fold-time".
Only 2 things I would want to see changed: 1. Angle the brake-levers such that they are more ergonomic (having 'em point straight-down isn't). 2. Eliminate those training-wheels. They are obviously hindering the sharp-turning ability of the vehicle... and from everything I saw in the video, they are pretty much pointless.
digi_owl
@milton check picture 8 in the article gallery. It seems the wheels are there as an alternative to rubber nubs when putting the folded scooter aside. Less scuff marks on the flooring that way i guess.
Freyr Gunnar
Cute :-)
BTW, you're not allowed to ride on the sidewalk. The fine is 90€ if you pay within 4 days, and 135€ otherwise.
BigGoofyGuy
I think it is really cool.
I don't believe they are training wheels. They look like support wheels when it is folded and make it easier to pull it along the ground without having to carry it.
Michael Crumpton
Only $3k? Its going to sell like hotcakes!!!!
Akemai Olivia
I have a few advice: 1) motorise the folding and unfolding and limit to < 10 seconds 2) make the frame bigger and think of a way to make it fold smaller 3) 17 kg is too heavy, make it sub 10 kg at least as your target 4) make a magnetic charging port that is snap-on and less flimsy, make it charge faster by wiring a parallel battery system and use thicker charging cable 5) install gear transmission and regenerative braking (no need freewheel) and try to muffle any noise to below 40 db 6) design an integrated bike lock 7) make waterproof 8) make production much higher because it's going to sell like hotcakes 9) make bigger wheels 10) don't use phosphate battery, use fast charge LiPo used in RC
1) kudos to your low price 2) i like the idea of the training wheels and no pedals 3) kudos to your integrated lightings
Basically keep making it fold smaller and lighter, but unfold bigger.
Ned Baldwin
The trouble with all electric scooter/bike videos is that they never show them climbing hills... Is it because they cannot?
duh3000
Wow, cute toy. Can't wait to see the adult version without the training wheels. And bigger wheels on the road. At 2400 euros, you do realize that this isn't going to be bought by kids, right?
Also, as an adult riding a "scooter", you really do need to get off the sidewalks and out of the pedestrian zones. Bad for your image and, as has been pointed out, illegal and expensive.
I really don't understand the marketing approach here. Was this meant to be some kind of provocative French scofflaw-ish "jackass" video? "Cool rebellious kids" will love it? Something like that? Dumb.
Brendon Walker
I have to agree with Akemai Olivia. This has great potential, but yes it HAS to be lighter, charge better/easier, have a built-in lock, and 100% waterproof. Wheel size is actually ok, any larger and it'd be a bit too bulky, and yes a slightly larger frame option would be better. And it's simply NOT possible to fold smaller if you ask me. Unfolding system doesn't need to be motorized tho, it's easy enough as it is. If the seat could pop-out an additional 2-3 inches, it'd be more comfortable to ride. I would purchase this over a Moped any day.
boochiakajenni
does anyone know how can I order one from US?