A closer look at the XOR folding scooter

We first covered XOR’s folding electric scooters about a year ago but, aside from their top speed, weight and the fact they fold up, there wasn’t a lot of info on them available. Now we’ve had a chance to see the folding scooter in action at Intermot 2010 and nail down a few more details about the vehicle from XOR Motors that is dubbed the “XO2 Urban Transformer.”

Speed and range

The top speeds of the three models are a little different to those indicated to us last year. The 50 cc equivalent 2.5kW and 4.0kW models now report a top speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), down from the 60 km/h (37 mph) reported to us last year, while the 125 cc equivalent 8.0kW model can reach a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph), down slightly from the 125 km/h (78 mph) provided to us last year. On the plus side the range of the three models has been given a boost with the 2.5kW and 4.0kW models sporting a range of 100 km (62 miles) at 45 km/h, while the 8.0kW model can travel for 75 km (47 miles) at 90 km/h (56 mph).

The scooters are all powered by a brushless hub motor and high-density lithium-polymer batteries. The 2300WH and 3000WH batteries of the 2.5kW and 4.0kW models can be fully charged in two hours forty minutes, while the 4000WH battery of the 8.0kW model takes just two hours.

All three models have the same measurements of 1750mm long x 760mm wide x 1100mm high (5.7 x 2.5 x 3.6 ft) in driving configuration, reducing down to 1020mm x 420mm x 700mm (3.3 x 1.4 x 2.3 ft) when folded.

Foldable doesn't mean lighter

Before seeing the scooters in person we were a little concerned that the folding sections could provide some areas of weakness but the build quality of the vehicles has allayed our fears. They fold down in around 20 seconds with the battery becoming a kind of hard shell suitcase on wheels that can be rolled along separately. It is a clever design but yes, it is heavy.

The batteries of the three models alone weigh 21, 25 and 30kg (46, 55 and 66 lbs) for the 2.5kW, 4.0kW and 8.0kW scooters respectively, contributing to a total weight of 73, 77 and 83kg (161, 170 and 183 lbs). So while the folding ability will mean the difference between getting one in the back of a station wagon or leaving it behind, you’ll need a well made ramp or two strong people to get it loaded.

The 4.0kW and 8.0kW XO2 Urban Transformer scooters from XOR Motors are available now for 2,100 euro (approx US$2,920) and 3,100 euro (approx. US$4,315) respectively, with the batteries costing an extra 2,000 euro (approx. US$2,785) and 3,000 euro (approx. US$4,175) for each model. The 2.5kW model is set to go into production in a month’s time and will sell for 1,890 euro (approx. US$2,630) with an extra 1,900 euro (approx. US$2,645) for the battery.