Future with the Past // Vespa Elettrica Test

The Vespa has been a reliable two-wheeled passenger vehicle since April 1946, when it offered easy and affordable transportation, especially to post-war Europe. Over the years we have seen many versions of it, newest, electric, eco-friendly and a carbon-free society.

Primož manrman, Petr Kavčič

Speaking of Vespas, the numbers are impressive: od in 1946 they sold them 19 million... In the XNUMXs and XNUMXs, it became a status symbol and the first global mobility brand due to transport necessity. It is the ancestor of all scooters, for some a fashion accessory and lifestyle. Everyone who followed her in appearance and concept was just imitators, for someone like her the generic term "vespa" was tamed. This makes the product a legend. Piaggio was at a motorcycle show last October. EICMA introduced a novelty in Milan - Vespa with electric drive. Many simply passed it by, others thought it was premature, for others the real Vespa is just an original model that happily spins in a two-stroke rhythm in a cloud of smoke. Four strikes is already heresy. However, Vespa has always been on trend or even dictated. Chinese simulators show flooding in Italy electric scooters, she was diligently and "scanned" before the visit. What did they see?

Electric Legend

The Vespa electric car, which is already on sale in Europe at a price of just over six thousand euros, is based on the Primavera model, and instead of a gasoline one, it is powered by 4 kilowatt electric motorwhich is equivalent to the power of a 5,4-liter petrol engine powered by lithium-ion batteries. The battery pack is a Piaggio product, The battery cells were developed in cooperation with the Korean company LG Chem.... The starting procedure is simple: I turn the key, use the switch on the right side of the steering wheel to select one of three operating modes (Power, Eco, Reverse, even reverse), confirm the selected mode and wait.

Well, it happens - nothing. No sound, no noise. I turn on the gas to make sure everything is in order and the Vespa jumps. We are on our way. Rich TFT color display among other things, it shows battery consumption in percent, energy efficiency, in the middle of the screen - the current speed. Yes, it can also be connected to your phone, so navigation is also possible - if approx. 100 kilometers theoretical range (80 kilometers during life) you need. To connect it at home, at work, at school, anywhere to a 220 volt network, you will need four hours to fully charge. They supposedly withstand a thousand charge cycles.

In the trunk is hidden a slightly cowish connecting cable. Vespa in power mode reaches maximum speed 50 kilometers per hourin pairs at a speed of about 35 kilometers per hour, in economy mode, it pulls so much with one passenger. However, there may be problems with this on the road; Despite the moving obstacle, buses also accelerate sharply thanks to the constant torque in the city. Caution should be exercised when braking, the brakes are not equipped with ABS, and when approaching pedestrian crossings: drivers cannot be heard, and pedestrians are (still) used to the sound of engines.

• Basic data

  Sales: PVG doo

  Base model price: 6.300 €

• Technical information

  engine: Electric, 48 V, Piaggio with KERS (kinetic energy recovery system)

  Power: 4 кВт

  Torque: 200 Nm

  Energy transfer: Batteries: Piaggio, LG Chem cells

  Frame: Welded tube separator
  
  
  Suspension: front: single fork with hydraulic shock absorber, rear single shock absorber.

  brakes: 200mm single disc front, 140mm drum rear

  Suspension: Front: single shock absorber fork, rear single shock absorber

  Tires: Front 110 / 70-12, back 120 / 70-11

  Growth: 790 mm

  Wheelbase: 1350 mm

  Weight: 115 kg

We praise and reproach

Nature and ecological approach

Easy to handle

Unstable on uneven ground

At times problems with the charging cable