Words by: Phil West
Published on 5 February 2022 | 0 min read
This new electric scooter from Italian giants Piaggio may not be super-performing or particularly sexy but it could be a ‘game-changer’ in the ever-evolving world of new technology two-wheelers.
While electric motorcycles have yet to emerge from major manufacturers such as Honda and Ducati, and electric scooters are still either prohibitively expensive, underwhelming performers or from new brands without either the infrastructure or heritage to reassure buyers, this newcomer is significantly different. It’s called the ‘1’, is an ‘entry-level’ scoot available in two roughly 50cc and 125cc equivalent versions and it succeeds in at least two of those tests. Firstly, it’s cheap. Prices start at just £2500 (or £2011 with the plug-in OLEV Government grant, although this is currently under review) for the base ‘1’ while even the better performing version, the ‘1 Active’ costs just £3000 (or £2411 including OLEV grant). Second, it’s from Piaggio, the giant Italian brand synonymous with scooters (indeed, its 1946 Vespa was the first scooter of all), which also owns Aprilia and Moto Guzzi and is Europe’s largest two-wheeled manufacturer. As a result, an extensive UK dealer network already exists and its machines have a proven reputation and established residuals. And, third, the ‘1’s performance, although not intended to be excessive, combines with practical features such as an easily-removable and home-charge-able battery, to make it a credible transport ‘solution’.
While electric motorcycles have yet to emerge from major manufacturers such as Honda and Ducati, and electric scooters are still either prohibitively expensive, underwhelming performers or from new brands without either the infrastructure or heritage to reassure buyers, this newcomer is significantly different. It’s called the ‘1’, is an ‘entry-level’ scoot available in two roughly 50cc and 125cc equivalent versions and it succeeds in at least two of those tests. Firstly, it’s cheap. Prices start at just £2500 (or £2011 with the plug-in OLEV Government grant, although this is currently under review) for the base ‘1’ while even the better performing version, the ‘1 Active’ costs just £3000 (or £2411 including OLEV grant). Second, it’s from Piaggio, the giant Italian brand synonymous with scooters (indeed, its 1946 Vespa was the first scooter of all), which also owns Aprilia and Moto Guzzi and is Europe’s largest two-wheeled manufacturer. As a result, an extensive UK dealer network already exists and its machines have a proven reputation and established residuals. And, third, the ‘1’s performance, although not intended to be excessive, combines with practical features such as an easily-removable and home-charge-able battery, to make it a credible transport ‘solution’.
If the ‘1’ looks familiar that’s probably because its effectively an electric successor to Piaggio’s long-established and hugely popular, entry-level Zip petrol-powered scoot.
Like that machine, the ‘1’ comes in a couple of performance options based on the same platform. Both, like the Zip before it, have the smaller 10in scooter wheels, simple steel tube frame and fairly basic suspension – these are affordable, ‘entry-level’ scoots after all. On the plus side, they’re styled smartly, come in a choice of six colours, have LED lights and feature a smart, reversed LCD digital dash. There’s also keyless ignition and a USB charger socket.
Like that machine, the ‘1’ comes in a couple of performance options based on the same platform. Both, like the Zip before it, have the smaller 10in scooter wheels, simple steel tube frame and fairly basic suspension – these are affordable, ‘entry-level’ scoots after all. On the plus side, they’re styled smartly, come in a choice of six colours, have LED lights and feature a smart, reversed LCD digital dash. There’s also keyless ignition and a USB charger socket.
Both have a twin shock swingarm at the rear with an electric motor mounted in the rear wheel hub which has two modes – Eco and Sport. The base ‘1’ has 1.2kW motor restricted to 28mph so is 50cc equivalent and can be ridden on an AM moped licence. In Eco mode it has a range of about 55km (35miles) which in sharper Sport mode comes down to about 43km (27 miles) which, on face value may not sound much but for it’s likely student/college/round town use is probably enough.
The more premium model is the ‘1 Active’, costing about £400 more and which has a more powerful, 2kW motor and is capable of 38mph – not a huge difference, admittedly, but that puts it into the A1 licence category and gives it enough go to stay with 40mph traffic. In Eco mode, it also has a healthier range of 52 miles. None of those numbers sound like much in isolation but when you consider that you can now get, at 16 or 17, a stylish, practical scooter from a proven brand with a local dealer that costs virtually nothing to run and can be bought on a PCP deal with just a £99 deposit and for around £90 (or less) a month, that could be enough to get electric scooters – if not bikes – firmly into the mainstream.
The more premium model is the ‘1 Active’, costing about £400 more and which has a more powerful, 2kW motor and is capable of 38mph – not a huge difference, admittedly, but that puts it into the A1 licence category and gives it enough go to stay with 40mph traffic. In Eco mode, it also has a healthier range of 52 miles. None of those numbers sound like much in isolation but when you consider that you can now get, at 16 or 17, a stylish, practical scooter from a proven brand with a local dealer that costs virtually nothing to run and can be bought on a PCP deal with just a £99 deposit and for around £90 (or less) a month, that could be enough to get electric scooters – if not bikes – firmly into the mainstream.
