EICMA Electric Motorcycles and Scooters (minipost)

Yep, this one is a lazy post, but Grizz, the Canadian Knievel, and I have been perusing this New Atlas post with lots of lovely bikes from the 2017 EICMA (Italian International Motorcycle Expo) show. I was so excited that I thought I'd pick out the electric models to share with all of you. I also tried to find relevant manufacturer website links to help you learn more about the ones that tickle your fancy. Enjoy!

My favorite in this lineup - the e-Schwalbe (Germany)

Energica Esse Esse (Italy)

Energica bikes get more and more appealing to me, and this model is the most appealing so far. And yes, they sell Energicas here in the US. Check out this site to learn more.

Evolve Electric (Not much luck finding their site)

The KTM FreeRide E-XC (Available in the US!)

Kumpan electric Model 1954 (Canada)

Niu N1S Smart eScooter (China)

Torrot Velocipedo (Spain)

Vespa Elettrica (Finally!)

Volta BCN City (Italy)

Volta BCN Sport/Forest

Vuuk Rieju (Had trouble finding anything on this one - Spain)

Lots of fun stuff in there - and they don't burn fossil fuels! Woohoo!

May you be inspired to make greener choices!

Electric Euro Scooters We Can't Have #1: Schwalbe

Happy Fossil Free Friday, y'all!

Since selling the truck, I've been riding the bicycle a lot more, but I've also been riding the old gas-powered scooter. And I have to admit, it's been nice - all that riding with traffic at traffic speeds, getting to work in 10 minutes instead of 25 for the bicycle and it's really nice to make that 100 degree ride home without a whole lotta any pedaling!

But there's that whole burn-the-gas-kill-the-planet thing that really puts a damper on the scooter ride. Yep, I've been jonesing for an electric scooter again.

So, yesterday when the Oogle feed brought up a CNET article on Bosch electric drivetrains which featured an electric Schwalbe scooter, I knew it was time for a re-visit.

CNET Bosch article featuring the e-schwalbe

 

I was happy to learn in the article that the modern version of the Schwalbe is being built by the very well respected German scooter manufacturer GOVECS. (By the way, you can buy GOVECS scooters here in the States. I got to check them out at Electric Avenue Scooters in Austin and was very impressed!)

 

The Schwalbe site where Europeans can configure and order one

 

Vintage + Scooter + Electric = a happy mesquite hugger, and I (long-distance) love this machine! I like the big wire wheels (great for bad Texas roads) and the bar-end blinkers (the better to see you with) and the capacity to haul a second person and a little stuff. It's a new vintage scoot that treads very lightly. Good stuff.

Out of reach in so many ways!

 

Like many cool and eco-friendly Euro products, this one is not available stateside, but it sure is nice to dream of running about your daily business like those Milky Chance kids but without all that pesky two-stroke smoke. (I may have to let my hair grow back out.)

 

May you scoot freely without doing much damage!

 

Is that the Milky Chance guy again in the Fido video?

 

PS. If you want a cool electric retro scooter that you can buy here, be sure to check out the Fido - straight out of Kalamazoo!