Audi Gets In On The Scooter Craze
It’s almost impossible to look at any remotely busy metro center and not see a slew of people zooming around on some version of an electric scooter — there are so many now it’s hard to keep track of the new names popping up. Now, Audi wants a chunk of the booming market.
It was recently announced that Audi would release their own version of a fully electric scooter, sharing a namesake with the company’s all-electric SUV, e-tron. While it seems that these scooters come a dime a dozen now, this scooter stands out from the crowd with one defining factor: it is one-handed. This will free up the other hand to signal turns or stops, a feat that is almost impossible while riding the scooters that are currently on the market, leading to some pretty gnarly safety issues.
Although the design seems a little awkward to navigate, since it is essentially a scooter/skateboard hybrid in which the majority of the steering is done through the footboard, with the handle for extra support, it is supposed to boast a more seamless navigational experience. The four wheels and moving axles make maneuvering around tight turns much stabler and safer.
The price tag is not small for this new age scooter, estimated to ring in at almost $2,300. While the safety may be a huge selling factor, the maximum speed of 12.5 mph, range under 15 miles, and bulky weight of 26 pounds might make consumers think twice about whether it’s worth the price.
An interesting idea that has been floated is the possibility of proposing the scooter as an add-on to the purchase of their electronic vehicles in the same family, which conveniently have a dedicated charging port in the trunk.
While the scooter is not estimated to be released until late 2020 and it has yet to be determined whether it will be used in fleets or for personal use, the whole scooter world will surely be anxiously awaiting their arrival.
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