Urban Transport

Unagi electric kickscooter heads for the hills

Unagi electric kickscooter heads for the hills
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The Unagi Scooter comes with either a 250 W front wheel motor or a dual motor setup with 200 W at the front and 250 W to the rear
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The Unagi Scooter comes with either a 250 W front wheel motor or a dual motor setup with 200 W at the front and 250 W to the rear
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The Unagi electric kickscooter features a one-click folding mechanism for transport between rides
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The Unagi electric kickscooter features a one-click folding mechanism for transport between rides
When folded, the Unagi's handlebar stem locks into place for ease of transport between rides
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When folded, the Unagi's handlebar stem locks into place for ease of transport between rides
The Unagi has an integrated dashboard display and control panel
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The Unagi has an integrated dashboard display and control panel
The Unagi electric kickscooter is fashioned from aluminum and carbon fiber
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The Unagi electric kickscooter  is fashioned from aluminum and carbon fiber
Exploded components view of the Unagi electric kickscooter
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Exploded components view of the Unagi electric kickscooter
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Electric kickscooter rental and ride share schemes are popping up all over the place, but some last mile commuters prefer to buy their own rides. There are many e-scooters available, and newcomer Unagi is busy attracting Kickstarter backers to its design by dangling such features as puncture-proof tires, the choice of a single or twin motor power and enough torque to roll up 15 degree inclines.

There's no denying that the Unagi Scooter is something of a looker. Fashioned from aluminum and carbon fiber, the electric kickscooter comes in two flavors. The E250 model has a 250 W front wheel motor, which can reportedly manage a 6 degree incline, while the E450 variant can roll up a 15 degree hill thanks to a 200 W motor to the front and a 250 W motor at the rear.

The Unagi Scooter comes with either a 250 W front wheel motor or a dual motor setup with 200 W at the front and 250 W to the rear
The Unagi Scooter comes with either a 250 W front wheel motor or a dual motor setup with 200 W at the front and 250 W to the rear

Either way, the Unagi has a top speed of 15 mph (24 km/h) and a range of 15.5 miles (25 km) per 4-5 hour charge, together with electronic anti-lock braking, front and rear LED headlights and airless tires that promise a ride free from punctures.

Rather than plonking a chunky external trip computer somewhere up top, the Unagi features a dashboard display down the leg of the T-shaped magnesium alloy handlebars. And the e-scooter benefits from what looks like a painless one-click folding mechanism for transport between rides.

The Unagi project is currently raising production funds over on Kickstarter, where pledge start at US$623. If all goes to plan, shipping is estimated to start in February 2019. The video below has more.

Sources: Unagi, Kickstarter

Unagi: The Ultimate Electric Scooter

View gallery - 7 images
2 comments
2 comments
guzmanchinky
Scooters are ubiquitous, but I prefer the feel of a good e skateboard, plus they are easier to carry...
mark41
Range is given as 25 km, on level ground. What is the range of the E450 variant while climbing at 15° with a 90 kg rider aboard?