NIU, the largest electric scooter manufacturer in China, made quite a showing at the EICMA Milan Motorcycle Show. The company has a wide range of electric scooters and brought every model they had to the show, including some new ones.
NIU UM (U-Mini) electric scooter
NIU’s newest electric scooter is really a hybrid between an electric bicycle and an electric scooter. It’s essentially a moped in the truest sense of the word.
Known as the UM, short for U-Mini, the diminutive 39 kg (86 lb) scooter packs surprisingly nice specs.
The NIU UM features an 800W Bosch rear hub motor that can power it to speeds of up to 38 km/h (24 mph).
The removable 5 kg (11 lb) 48V 21Ah battery is based on Panasonic 18650 cells. With just over 1 kWh of capacity, the UM is rated for a range of 30-40 km (18-25 mi).
The UM has functional pedals and is thus technically an e-bike. However, it is outfitted much more like a scooter.
Its step through frame and scooter seating offer a more comfortable ride. Dual-piston hydraulic brakes and dual suspension featuring true oil-damping (not just cheap springs like on many e-bikes) provide improved handling. The UM electrical system is even kitted out more like a scooter with LED headlights, turn signals, tail lights and brake lights as well as an LCD instrument panel and USB device charging.
In addition to the UM, NIU also recently released a slightly larger version without pedals, known as the UPro. That makes it a true scooter, though still a small one at just 60 kg (132 lbs). It retains the same 800W Bosch motor and Panasonic battery, but adds a higher top speed and more substantial scooter body and frame.
The UM will soon be available in Europe along with NIU’s other scooters destined for the European market, with the price to be announced. Its slightly larger brother the UPro is already priced at just €1,899.
NIU N and M series electric scooters
NIU also showed off their N and M series scooters. The M series is the middle range scooter, capable of 45 km/h (28 mph) with a 1.2 kW Bosch motor. The 2 kWh Panasonic battery is rated for 100 km (62 mi) of range.
The slightly larger NIU NGT electric scooter is both faster and more powerful. The NGT has a 3,000W Bosch motor capable of speeds up to 70 km/h (44 mph). The NGT features two 60V 35Ah (2.1 kWh) batteries. Together, the two batteries can power the NGT for up to 100 km (62 mi).
In addition to regenerative braking found in both the M+ and NGT, the NGT includes a controlled braking system (CBS). CBS is a safety feature that links the front and rear brakes. It can prevent over-braking on either wheel, helping to safely distribute braking force at higher speeds.
Both models feature all of NIU’s smart scooter features, including telemetry that updates riders about their scooter’s status via an accompanying app, GPS location and tracking for anti-theft, over-the-air updates and keyless ignition.
The NIU M+ is available in Europe for €2,299 while the NGT is available for €3,999.
After recently going public on the NASDAQ, NIU is currently in the process of expanding sales to the US. They are expected to enter the US market in 2019, though the company can not yet confirm a specific date.
NIU N-Cargo
NIU also introduced a new cargo version of its N-series scooters, the N-Cargo. Unlike the majority of NIU’s consumer level scooters, the N-Cargo is designed for commercial applications. NIU is targeting the needs of scooter delivery services such as Deliveroo.
The commercial electric scooter industry has been heating up over the last few months. KYMCO recently introduced their Ionex Commercial platform for commercial electric scooters, and Gogoro followed up with their own commercial partnerships.
Now NIU is joining the mix, offering their own delivery-ready scooter.
According to NIU:
“Boasting a newly reinforced tailbox bracket, the N-Cargo enables the necessary speed and performance to support the rapidly-growing goods delivery industry.”
What do you think of NIU’s display of scooters? Let us know in the comments below.
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