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Urban Transport

Cargo-hauling electric scooters make for a riveting ride

By Paul Ridden
March 17, 2023
Cargo-hauling electric scooters make for a riveting ride
EV4's rivet-tastic electric cargo scooters are available in sit-down and stand-up variants
EV4's rivet-tastic electric cargo scooters are available in sit-down and stand-up variants
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EV4's rivet-tastic electric cargo scooters are available in sit-down and stand-up variants
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EV4's rivet-tastic electric cargo scooters are available in sit-down and stand-up variants
EV4's electric stand-up cargo scooter front loader comes with a 50-liter bucket, while the seated model sports a riveted 70-liter box
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EV4's electric stand-up cargo scooter front loader comes with a 50-liter bucket, while the seated model sports a riveted 70-liter box
The sit-down electric cargo scooter can haul up to 40 kg of gear in the front crate
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The sit-down electric cargo scooter can haul up to 40 kg of gear in the front crate
EV4's electric cargo scooters come with a removable 360-Wh battery as standard, but the seated version can be optioned with a 1-kWh unit along with a more powerful hub motor
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EV4's electric cargo scooters come with a removable 360-Wh battery as standard, but the seated version can be optioned with a 1-kWh unit along with a more powerful hub motor
EV4's electric cargo scooters have a top speed of 20 km/h and a per-charge range of 30 km
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EV4's electric cargo scooters have a top speed of 20 km/h and a per-charge range of 30 km
The stand-up electric cargo scooter comes with a 70 x 40 x 22-cm plastic bucket out front
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The stand-up electric cargo scooter comes with a 70 x 40 x 22-cm plastic bucket out front
View gallery - 6 images

We've seen a bunch of ebikes roll out recently that are pitched as two-wheeled SUVs. Now the electric scoot is getting in on the cargo-hauling action courtesy of Poland's Jacek Skopinski, who has built seated and stand-up models rocking his signature riveted design.

Both cargo e-scooter models from EV4 feature essentially the same specs. They're each powered by a 250-W rear-hub motor mounted in a spoked 16-inch rear wheel that's powered by a 36-V/10-Ah Li-ion battery pack that sits in a cage above and can be removed for charging indoors.

Top speed is reported to be around 20 km/h (12.5 mph), and per-charge range rolls up to 30 km (18.6 miles). The seated model can also be optioned with a 500-W motor and 48-V/21-Ah battery. There's a 10-inch wheel to the front wrapped in a chunky tire, and stopping power comes courtesy of a rear hydraulic disc brake (a front brake is optional).

Each version is built around an aviation-grade aluminum front-loader frame rocking plenty of rivets, measuring 1.9 m (6.2 ft) in length and riding a width of 40 cm (15.7 in), though the handlebar does exceed that by 10 cm on each side.

EV4's electric stand-up cargo scooter front loader comes with a 50-liter bucket, while the seated model sports a riveted 70-liter box
EV4's electric stand-up cargo scooter front loader comes with a 50-liter bucket, while the seated model sports a riveted 70-liter box

They're designed to carry small packages up to a maximum weight of 40 kg (88 lb). The seated model sports a rigid cargo box with a 70-liter capacity that has a footprint of 47 x 40 cm (18.5 x 15.7 in) at the bottom and opens out to 77 x 40 cm (30.3 x 15.7 in) at the top, and is 39 cm (15.3 in) high at the back and 27 cm (10.6 in) at the front. The stand-up e-scoot comes with a 70 x 40 x 22-cm (27.5 x 15.7 x 8.6-in), 50-liter plastic bucket. Additionally, the seated model benefits from a folding handlebar and removable saddle.

As you can see from the video below, the cargo e-scoots look like a fun way to get around while carrying gear or shopping – though you'll need to check your local regulations before jumping in.

Skopinski told us that the sit-down model is priced around US$2,230, or $2,760 with lights added, the more powerful motor installed and a bigger battery included as well. A solar panel is optionally available for mounting to the top of the cargo box. The stand-up version comes in at about $1,700. Six color options are available.

First Electric Scooter CARGO Made in Europe | EV4 Cargo Bike

Source: EV4

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Tags

Urban TransportCargoElectric VehiclesScooter
6 comments
Paul Ridden
Paul Ridden
While Paul is loath to reveal his age, he will admit to cutting his IT teeth on a TRS-80 (although he won't say which version). An obsessive fascination with computer technology blossomed from hobby into career before hopping over to France for 10 years, where he started work for New Atlas in 2009. Now back in his native Blighty, he serves as Managing Editor in Europe.

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6 comments
Expanded Viewpoint
Since the EVs are turning out to be the joke of the century, just as I said they would years ago due to not enough capacity in the electric grids, either on the generation or the transmission side of the equation, he needs to rethink this whole scheme and put a 49CC two stroke engine on them! The EV makers are in a scramble now to justify the move to electric powered stuff when the people can't charge them up! Oh, yeah, they can always resort to Diesel and gasoline powered gensets to charge them up, just like you see in all of the memes on the subject on the internet!! And no front brake, where 75% of the effective braking occurs? The front brakes on cars, trucks and motorcycles are bigger for a reason!! Maybe the Russians or Swedes should have been consulted on this project, since they do have a little bit of experience in the field.
jerryd
Or for a fraction of the cost, use a bike trailer. For that price you can buy 2 Lectric XP3 and 2 bike trailers that beat it badly.
BlueOak
Interesting choice on the fork design - very wide yoke + resulting very long axle. Apparently to facilitate more leverage for the steering. Seems like a more normal width yoke + a wider steering plate at the top of the fork would accomplish the same steering leverage without needing a longer, less strong axle.
George
Mmmm - I get that the 'rivets are meant to be his 'signature design' - unfortunately means it just looks like it's been slapped together from Meccano bits !
Geo Humphries
This design has been used in Holland for some time, as either bicycles or with moped engines. If one is interested, they are easy to research on line. Holland has been reducing accessibility of cars for decades.
gonk
"Expanded viewpoint"

Not exactly sure what viewpoints you're expanding, besides your ego.

I'm not sure exactly where you're located, but I can charge basically anything anywhere in my town? That's an odd position to take.

Since memes seem to be your only source of education, I'm honestly not sure if I should continue replying, but I might as well engage the troll. Grid scale generators powered by coal, petrol, etc, are more efficient than any engine you'll find in a scooter, motorcycle, car, truck, or what have you. Best estimates put the average ICE engine at maybe 20-30% efficient. With solar and wind getting cheaper and cheaper, this becomes less and less of a problem.

At this size, front brakes aren't absolutely necessary. Plenty of bicycles have no front brakes. Then again, this is also a fair bit heavier. Should this come with them standard? Yes, I do actually kind of agree with you there, but the rest of your rant is kinda crazy.