A historic moment for Piaggio: in September, a Pontedera, began production of the first Vespa 100% electrical. The first units, purchased online, They will be delivered in October but the price has not yet been made official and technical information there is still some’ too much mystery. Let's see it better!
A Pontedera (Pisa) in 1946 He saw the light of the first Vespa, scooter to revolutionize individual mobility and to rise to the iconic role of the Made In Italy. “The sweet life” today knows a new “Spring”, always use terms dear to the history of this product by a thousand lives: Piaggio has announced the start of production of the first Vespa Electrical.
The Vespa Electrical really comes?
For a reasonable period of time have followed rumors that there was this project Piaggio, but only at EICMA last – and the surprise – the company has brought the Vespa Electrical announcing that it would go into production in a few months and already available later this year. And so it! Despite the skepticism of some insiders, Piaggio seem to be failing to meet deadlines and that the Vespa Electric is finally a reality.
That the Vespa is the ideal medium for apparent electrical propulsion: agile and is designed for short urban distances and with his style, or rather its status, can he “help” to make the increasingly cool electric.
In other words, I firmly believe that the electric propulsion for Vespa represents the natural evolution. With it can again become a status symbol.
The importance of this production is not to be underestimated: after ten years of evolution in the undergrowth, finally the electric drive has a representative universally recognized among the big brands. Together with Harley-Davidson with its LiveWire – that we will see on the streets in a year – Piaggio thus becomes the first major motorcycle manufacturer to launch in electric and has no small signal.
When comes the Vespa Electrical?
In September, begins production in Pontedera, October will be able to buy the first items online and in November, in conjunction EICMA, It will reach full commercialization. After Europe, starting in January it will also be sold in the United States and Asia, markets should be more welcoming to this novelty.
How it is made the Vespa Electrical?
As announced last EICMA, Vespa Electrical is driven by a power unit (to call its own engine we do not succeed, and maybe that's the right thing) the 4 kW of power and – trumpets blare – 200 Nm. We have learned that the electrical has entirely different values and torque delivery, but the figure still makes us understand that it will be a Vespa especially fun at the traffic light and not at all troubled the hills of Bologna.
In official communications we are then speaks of a’autonomy 100 km, of energy recovery in deceleration with KERS system and a charging time of 4 hours, even if it is not specified whether the columns or to the socket 220 and with what kind of attacks. Or rather give both possibilities… But images and data received.
(Obviously all the press reported slavishly press release refrained from asking the question)
The battery is lithium ion as is obvious and its useful life is indicated in at least 1000 recharge cycles that, according to estimates Piaggio, would amount to a mileage between 70.000 e i 90.000 km, or ten years for a scooter. The loss of efficiency would then be estimated at a maximum 20% similarly to what other manufacturers also declare (perhaps because the batteries are purchased from the same suppliers?). If used properly, so there is no worry.
Despite the battery is placed under the saddle, thanks also to the greater compactness of the engine (pardon, power unit) however it remains space for a compartment able to contain a jet helmet.
Evolved is also the Vespa Multimedia Platform, or the technological platform which will interface with the driver. Obviously Command Ride By Wire and TFT display 4,3 inch (practically as a navigator) It equipped with twilight sensor to automatically adjust the brightness to external conditions. There are due riding mode available: Eco (limited 30 km/h) and Power.
I bet a refill that Eco does not use any.
Then there is the mode Reverse allowing you to have a little help in reverse during parking and this is a good thing.
Vespa Electrical: so “smoke” and little roast?
Scrolling through the press and information disclosed by Piaggio, It has a little’ the impression of “I say, but do not say too”. That becomes a mystery quite on different aspects, not least that of the price with a vague “aligned with the high end of the range Vespa” almost not wanting to scare.
But for high-end means the addition 6.000 EUR Vespa 300 Six days or over 9.000 of very luxurious and exclusive 946?
The same technical data are kept very vague and rather than going into the details of the electric charge and the advantages it comes to future connectivity projects, automation, wireless connections and the right sensors and missing. Finally it arises as more emphasis on the many accessories available to customize it for which it is spent much more space and words for the fact of the matter: It is a Vespa Electrical! Heck is a revolution!
Thread – but it is my personal view and discutibilissima – this can harm the product itself, creating false expectations of a poorly informed customer who then might be disappointed the evidence shows.
The Vespa Electrical is a very important product for both Piaggio and for all the “movimento” elettrico. But at the moment, From a technical point of view, does not raise the bar, It aligns with what is offered on the market, as here in Italy is misunderstood. To realize just watching other projects, such as Germany the tiny team who raised him Scwhalbe, already on the market for a couple of years with features even higher. In short, by Piaggio, Vespa from the road is good let's aim for the hard and not only to the optional.
#RIDEMORE
