Motorcycles

Germany's unu aims for stylish affordability with e-scooter launch

Germany's unu aims for stylish affordability with e-scooter launch
The unu Scooter is available as three models with seven color options
The unu Scooter is available as three models with seven color options
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The unu Scooter features a Bosch hub motor for a top speed of 45 km/h
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The unu Scooter features a Bosch hub motor for a top speed of 45 km/h
The unu Scooter is available as three models with seven color options
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The unu Scooter is available as three models with seven color options
The unu Scooter features a Bosch hub motor for a top speed of 45 km/h
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The unu Scooter features a Bosch hub motor for a top speed of 45 km/h
unu says that the Scooter has one of the largest storage spaces in the electric scooter segment
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unu says that the Scooter has one of the largest storage spaces in the electric scooter segment
The unu Scooter will be available in Basic (2,000 W), Standard (3,000 W) and Plus (4,000 W) variants
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The unu Scooter will be available in Basic (2,000 W), Standard (3,000 W) and Plus (4,000 W) variants
The unu Scooter has a maximum range of 100 km per charge, though two battery packs will need to be slotted under the two person seat for that to happen
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The unu Scooter has a maximum range of 100 km per charge, though two battery packs will need to be slotted under the two person seat for that to happen
The unu Scooter's battery packs can be removed for charging at regular power outlets
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The unu Scooter's battery packs can be removed for charging at regular power outlets
The unu Scooter has an integrated display, but extra features and functions are available via a mobile companion app
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The unu Scooter has an integrated display, but extra features and functions are available via a mobile companion app
The unu Scooter is currently up for pre-order ahead of September availability
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The unu Scooter is currently up for pre-order ahead of September availability
View gallery - 9 images

E-mobility firm unu is looking to ride the growth wave of electric scooters – which it says rose by 51 percent in 2018, while sales of conventional scooters fell by 40 percent – with the upcoming release of its second generation electric scooter, which boasts enough storage for two helmets and removable batteries.

The latest unu Scooter represents quite a modern-looking overhaul on the company's first generation e-scooter, now called the Classic. Thanks to a Bosch motor integrated into the rear wheel, the company has managed to offer what's it's claiming is one of the largest storage spaces in the electric scooter segment.

unu says that the Scooter has one of the largest storage spaces in the electric scooter segment
unu says that the Scooter has one of the largest storage spaces in the electric scooter segment

That storage is where riders slot in the portable battery units – one will roll you along for up to 50 km (31 mi) per charge, while two will take you to the unu Scooter's maximum range of up to 100 km. This puts the new e-scooter in the same sort of ball park as the (much more expensive) Vespa Elettrica, though the latter might just be a little faster in the long stretches – topping out at 30 mph compared to the unu's 28 mph (45 km/h).

The Scooter features an integrated display for trip info, but unu has also developed a mobile companion app for unlocking smart features like remotely checking on the scooter's location and charging status. If someone tries to make off with the unu Scooter, anti-theft protection kicks in and the owner gets sent a notification through the app, and friends can be given permission to ride via a shared digital key. Over-the-air updates will add more functionality to the scooter in the future.

The unu Scooter will be available in Basic (2,000 W), Standard (3,000 W) and Plus (4,000 W) variants
The unu Scooter will be available in Basic (2,000 W), Standard (3,000 W) and Plus (4,000 W) variants

The unu Scooter is up for pre-order now ahead of September availability. There are three models on offer and seven color options, and the starting price will be €2,799 (about US$3,125) – though early adopters are being tempted by a pre-order package worth about €330, including a ticket price discount, a free helmet and extended warranty.

Source: unu

View gallery - 9 images
4 comments
4 comments
Dziks
Looks stylish but 50 km/h is so annoyingly slow. 65 km/h is the reasonable minimum. An equivalent of 125ccm with min 90km/h would be so much more useful.
Ned Baldwin
Agree with first comment about performance. Hill climbing ability is never mentioned and is very very important. Bigger wheels will help as well.....
TomLeeM
I think that is really cool looking.
30 mph (50 kmh) doesn't seem very fast but it is still faster than walking and more fun.
Kris von Mach
Looks like a bad attempt to copy a product that was released 5 years ago in Taiwan. https://www.gogoro.com/smartscooter/1-series/plus/faster/ Not only that, it's half the speed, and half the range... Same price.