e-scooter trial

[Kim]

Seems to miss a trick by lack of foldability.  Otherwise, you might as well have a seat.

[Cudzoziemiec]

If it had a seat and required a motorbike licence etc, you wouldn't be able to even vaguely claim it was the first though.

[Paul H]

Seems to miss a trick by lack of foldability.  Otherwise, you might as well have a seat.

The stem folds down, though as it still takes up the same floor space that might be of limited use. At 34kg it's not like anyone is going to carry it far. 
I'm a bit puzzled by these, which might just mean I'm not the target audience.  I really want a go, yet can't imagine why someone would choose one over a conventional electric moped or one of the electric motorbikes that can be ridden with the same CBT certificate.   

[Mr Larrington]

Executive summary: company makes standing room only motorbike.

[Pickled Onion]

Seems to miss a trick by lack of foldability.  Otherwise, you might as well have a seat.

The stem folds down, though as it still takes up the same floor space that might be of limited use. At 34kg it's not like anyone is going to carry it far. 
I'm a bit puzzled by these, which might just mean I'm not the target audience.  I really want a go, yet can't imagine why someone would choose one over a conventional electric moped or one of the electric motorbikes that can be ridden with the same CBT certificate.

Well you'd likely be able to bring it in to your employer's bike store (which in London tend to be secure and indoors) and plug it in. And you couldn't be nicked on the way to work.

[Paul H]

Seems to miss a trick by lack of foldability.  Otherwise, you might as well have a seat.

The stem folds down, though as it still takes up the same floor space that might be of limited use. At 34kg it's not like anyone is going to carry it far. 
I'm a bit puzzled by these, which might just mean I'm not the target audience.  I really want a go, yet can't imagine why someone would choose one over a conventional electric moped or one of the electric motorbikes that can be ridden with the same CBT certificate.

Well you'd likely be able to bring it in to your employer's bike store (which in London tend to be secure and indoors) and plug it in. And you couldn't be nicked on the way to work.

Why would employers, or the law, differentiate between electric mopeds on the basis of whether they had a seat or not?

[Pickled Onion]

Seems to miss a trick by lack of foldability.  Otherwise, you might as well have a seat.

The stem folds down, though as it still takes up the same floor space that might be of limited use. At 34kg it's not like anyone is going to carry it far. 
I'm a bit puzzled by these, which might just mean I'm not the target audience.  I really want a go, yet can't imagine why someone would choose one over a conventional electric moped or one of the electric motorbikes that can be ridden with the same CBT certificate.

Well you'd likely be able to bring it in to your employer's bike store (which in London tend to be secure and indoors) and plug it in. And you couldn't be nicked on the way to work.

Why would employers, or the law, differentiate between electric mopeds on the basis of whether they had a seat or not?

It looks like an e-scooter, which, like non-electric scooters and e-bikes, are generally allowed in employer's bike stores. But definitely not mopeds that look like mopeds. This is why I think some people might "choose one over a conventional electric moped or one of the electric motorbikes that can be ridden with the same CBT certificate".

The law differentiates on this one: it's legal and other e-scooters are not.

[Paul H]

It looks like an e-scooter,

Apart from the bigger wheels, the indicators, the number plate and the rider wearing a motorcycle helmet... we may just have to agree to disagree on this one, though it's legally exactly the same as any other moped.

[fruitcake]

There are advantages of standing. There's less suspension needed, and you get good visibility. Heresy to say that to cyclists. 

[road-runner]

There are advantages of standing. There's less suspension needed, and you get good visibility ...

... and when you do hit a pothole you are already in position to be ejected from your vehicle!

[Cudzoziemiec]

It looks like an e-scooter,

Apart from the bigger wheels, the indicators, the number plate and the rider wearing a motorcycle helmet... we may just have to agree to disagree on this one, though it's legally exactly the same as any other moped.

The owner can choose to get it registered, taxed, insured, MoTed and wear a helmet. I expect many will choose not to, because it is essentially just another e-scooter.

[Paul H]

It looks like an e-scooter,

Apart from the bigger wheels, the indicators, the number plate and the rider wearing a motorcycle helmet... we may just have to agree to disagree on this one, though it's legally exactly the same as any other moped.

The owner can choose to get it registered, taxed, insured, MoTed and wear a helmet. I expect many will choose not to, because it is essentially just another e-scooter.

The USP is that it's road legal and that comes with a hefty premium. I doubt anyone who isn't concerned with the legality is going to choose this over the large choice of non road legal scooters, it wouldn't make sense.
On the practical level, the manufacturer is taking care of registration and type approval, the VED is £0, the fist MOT will be after three years and the manufacturer has teamed up with a broker to offer specific insurance. 

[Cudzoziemiec]

Where did you see that the manufacturer is taking care of registration and arranging insurance? But that being the case, it becomes an electric moped for people who like standing up and don't travel more than 25 miles in one go. I guess the market is tech bros, City sharks and a few others who want to be seen as ostentatious early adopters but not are put off by the slightly asbo-image of a standard (illegal) e-scooter (many which would easily achieve higher speeds and longer range)?

[Paul H]

Where did you see that the manufacturer is taking care of registration and arranging insurance?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seECKiVnsaM