The Geneva Motor Show attendants received a very unexpected surprise recently as Volkswagen came to the floor of the auto show with two brand new electric scooter concepts: the Streetmate and the Cityskater.
Now attempting to enter the micro mobility world, VW explains why: "With mobile solutions such as Streetmate and Cityskater, visitors and residents in cities around the world will soon be able to leave their cars at home, opting instead for smaller zero-emission vehicles to get around."
Although you might look at this and see that the phrase is futuristic in nature, Volkswagen is not the first automobile manufacturer to take this stance. Recently, companies like Ford Motor Company have recently acquired eScooter sharing program Spin for $100 million USD. Harley-Davidson also released two concept vehicles recently that were aimed at millennials, and it was recently discovered that KTM has started working on its own concept vehicle for the eScooter market.
The Streetmate
Although coming in at 143 lbs., the Streetmate has a 1.3 kilowatt hour battery that is capable producing 2.7 horsepower for a top speed of 28 mph and has a range of 21 miles with the option of an Eco Mode which will extend the range. Typical of many other eScooters available on the market, it also features a regenerative braking system. One of the biggest bonuses in this concept is the 5.3" weatherproof display that also links with a smartphone, where the phone can provided navigation and also serves as a digital key for the eScooter, and the display takes care of the rest of the rider's information- speed, range, and the like.
The Cityskater was designed in concept to act like much of the rest of the folding electric scooter community: as a first mile/last mile vehicle. Weighing in at only 33 pounds which is more typical of eScooters, the Cityskater is capable of 12 mph for 9 miles. One great ability that it has: it can get a 50% charge in less than one hour.
Of the two, the Cityskater seems to be the concept vehicle that we may see first out of Volkswagen, who has expressed that they are trying to "....gain approval for use on cycle paths."
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