Yamaha is playing coy with the specs, only whispering that this is strictly a limited-power, urban-focused ride. I suppose they’ve realized that most folks interested in a cute little city scoot aren’t really measuring their 0-to-30 mph sprints. The 1.7 kW electric motor is powerful enough to get you past a slow cyclist, and the battery is big enough to get you about 33 miles of range – to the swap station and maybe back again. The scooter is light at just over 205 lbs – that’s with the battery – making it easy to use for riders of all skill levels.
But the real shocker is the price. The scooter itself lands at $1,050, which is about the cost of a decent espresso machine. But the price is for the “body only.” Yes – you buy the frame, the wheels, the seat, and the pretty little headlight, but the power source? That requires a separate subscription to the Gachaco battery-sharing service. It sounds a little bonkers, but this model is key to Japan’s big electrification plans, and I actually like the commitment to a universal standard.
