Urban Transport

Tectus offers a snazzy new take on electric mobility scooters

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In North America at least, Tectus drivers don't require a license or vehicle insurance – the vehicle is intended mainly for neighborhood use
Avvenire
In North America at least, Tectus drivers don't require a license or vehicle insurance – the vehicle is intended mainly for neighborhood use
Avvenire
If buyers opt for fast charging, the Tectus' battery can reportedly be juiced up in two hours
Avvenire
The Tectus is propelled by two electric motors – one for the front wheel, one for the rear axle – with a combined power of 2,000 watts
Avvenire
The Tectus' forward-tilting canopy
Avvenire
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When most people think of electric mobility scooters for seniors, they likely picture rather unexciting-looking, decidedly "uncool" vehicles. The fully-enclosed all-wheel-drive Tectus, however, looks like the scooter Rick Deckard might have used in Blade Runner 2049.

Announced this week, the three-wheeled single-passenger Tectus is made by Canadian electric mobility company Avvenire. Among other things, the firm previously brought us the considerably sportier Leggera three-wheeled roadster.

The Tectus is propelled by two electric motors – one for the front wheel, one for the rear axle – with a combined power of 2,000 watts. These take the vehicle to a top speed of 32 km/h (20 mph). One charge of the lithium battery pack is claimed to be good for a range of up to 160 km (99 miles).

The Tectus' forward-tilting canopy
Avvenire

Instead of conventional doors, the Tectus features a canopy that tilts forward for entry and egress. Fortunately for users who don't fancy hoisting that canopy up and down, it's motorized – in fact, it can even be opened from a distance via a wireless remote. A lidded box in the back of the vehicle allows for the transport of groceries and other cargo.

The Tectus is actually being offered in two models – the US$6,995 Deluxe and the $8,999 Ultimate. Special features on the latter include a backup camera (with obstacle sensors), running lights, a stereo sound system, GPS tracking, plus heating and air conditioning. Wireless charging is an optional extra.

If buyers opt for fast charging, the Tectus' battery can reportedly be juiced up in two hours
Avvenire

Should you be interested, the Tectus can be preordered now via the Avvenire website. Deliveries should commence later this year.

Some of the vehicle's finer selling points are highlighted in the following video.

Source: Avvenire

View gallery - 4 images
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9 comments
DavidB
Never buy a motorized three-wheeler that has the single wheel in front.

Just search YouTube for the “Top Gear” episode in which Jeremy Whatsit takes a corner at normal speeds in a Reliant Robin.
Chase
Isn't this just a more top-heavy version of the old Honda 3-Wheeler Collar Bone Obliterators?
Oirinth
Have to agree with DavidB single wheel in front is not optimal. Plus, with the tilting cockpit style opening how would the user get out if the vehicle is tipped over?
michael_dowling
Yes,it would be prone to tipping,but then,it has a top speed of 20 mph-it would be used mostly on sidewalks,where you would rarely go flat out. I like the fairly big wheels and AWD with good ground clearance,which would be able to manage some pretty deep snow.
PAV
In spite of the tip over potential, and the high price tag, I want one!
ArdisLille
The other comments make sense. There's no mention of safety: how will all that housing protect the driver in a collision? And it's strange enough to tempt other drivers to take their eyes off the road.
freddotu
I concur with the one-wheel-in-front-bad crowd. I have a non-working Gizmo from NEVCO years past, one wheel in back, also with a hinged canopy, but hinged behind the operator. With a bit of sand in the intersection, I could power slide through a turn and not fear for rolling. Five hundred pounds of lead acid below axle level helped, later changed to two hundred pounds of LiFePO4, but still below axle. Calling it a mobility scooter is fine for street/sidewalk use. Miniaturize it a bit, move that wheel and make it an indoor/grocery store machine as well.
Catweazle
I have a German mobility scooter, a "Travelscoot", all aluminium and weighing about12 kg including battery which means it is light enough for my wife to pick up and put in the back of the car.
Further, it folds up and fits in a bag approximately a meter long and not much more than a third of that wide and deep so good for air travel.
Costs around £2,200.
The problem with the device above is that out in the country we have considerable numbers of windy days, I can't see that being very safe even a light crosswind or on an adverse camber.
Lamar Havard
Nope. Learned MY lesson after almost breaking my leg on an '80s '3-wheeler'. The most unstable design there is.