Yahoo Autos BMW Is Getting into the E-Scooter Game in Europe
A trio of new scooters will soon be available for sale through BMW dealerships in Europe.
The E-Scooter provides a 7.5-mile electric range and can travel to a top speed of 12 mph.
The City Scooter uses no electric motor and is kick-powered by the rider, while the Kids Scooter features an adjustable seat and handle bars to accommodate riders of different ages.
BMW is joining startups such as Bird, Spin, and Lime and is getting in on the latest mobility trend: Electric scooters. The BMW E-Scooter is designed in cooperation with German scooter maker Micro and will be available for sale in Europe this fall.
With a cruising range of 7.5 miles and a 12-mph top speed, the E-Scooter isn't going to replace anyone's 3-series, but could be used for the last mile or so of its rider's commute from the parking garage to the destination. The E-Scooter is powered by a 150-watt electric motor and comes with a lithium-ion battery pack. BMW claims a charge time of just two hours from completely dead to a full charge.
While companies like Bird, Spin, and Lime are set up to provide shared scooters that customers rent for short periods of time, the BMW version will be made available for purchase instead. It appears to be easily folded up to fit in the trunk of most vehicles, although we'd caution owners of the i8 hybrid sports car against trying to squeeze the E-Scooter into that car's tiny cargo hold.
Electric scooters are handy, yes, but they're also quite fun. We've been cruising around our office park on a borrowed Swagtron Swagger 5 Elite for the past few months and it's a popular mid-day toy among our editors seeking to get some fresh air and shake off the stress of their last deadline. They can also be dangerous if used improperly, but that hasn't caused our enthusiasm to wane. Have fun, just remember your helmet.
For those less speed-inclined, BMW and Micro are also launching a nonelectric scooter called the City Scooter which is a person-powered two-wheeled scooter. Opting for this lower-cost ride means the cruising range is as long as the rider's stamina. BMW hasn't forgotten the kids either-the adorable new Kids Scooter can grow along with Junior with adjustable seat and handlebars. BMW claims it will accommodate kids up to 12 years of age.
Pricing for the BMW E-Scooter will be toward the upper reaches of the electric scooter segment at the equivalent of $895 when it goes on sale this fall at European BMW dealerships. The City Scooter will be far cheaper at about $224 and the Kids Scooter will cost just $134. We've reached out to BMW to ask if North American dealerships will eventually retail the scooters stateside, but as of press time we haven't received a response.
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