A historic moment for Piaggio: in September, a Pontedera, began production of the first Vespa 100% electrical. The first units, purchased online, saranno consegnati a ottobre ma il prezzo non è ancora stato ufficializzato e sui dati tecnici c’è ancora un po’ troppo mistero. 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. “La Dolce Vita” oggi conosce una nuova “Primavera”, 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, ma soltanto allo scorso EICMA – e a sorpresa – l’azienda ha portato la 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, può “dare una mano” a rendere l’elettrico sempre più cool.
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. Assieme ad Harley-Davidson con la sua LiveWire – che vedremo sulle strade fra un anno – Piaggio diventa perciò la prima grande Casa motociclistica a lanciarsi nell’elettrico e non è un segnale da poco.
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 di potenza e – squillo di trombe – 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.
Nelle comunicazioni ufficiali si parla poi di un’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. O meglio si danno entrambe le possibilità… Ma immagini e dati non pervenuti.
(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: tanto “fumo” e poco arrosto?
Scrolling through the press and information disclosed by Piaggio, si ha un po’ l’impressione del “dico ma non dico troppo”. That becomes a mystery quite on different aspects, not least that of the price with a vague “allineato con la fascia alta della gamma 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!
Temo – ma è una mia personalissima e discutibilissima considerazione – che questo possa nuocere al prodotto stesso creando false aspettative su un cliente poco informato che poi potrebbero venire deluse alla prova dei fatti.
La Vespa Elettrica è un prodotto molto importante sia per Piaggio sia per tutto il “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
