Vespa Elettrica – First Look

We’ve seen all sorts of futuristic-styled electric scooters hit the market, and while there’s nothing wrong with looking like some kind of space-age time traveler, the Vespa Elettrica’s classic scooter styling comes as a breath of fresh air in the electric two-wheeled landscape.

The new electric scooter boasts a 62-mile range from its 4.2kWh lithium battery while claiming 147 lb-ft of torque from its brushless motor. More than enough torque to pull you up the steepest of hills in San Fran. Charging time is said to be 4 hours from a standard 220-volt outlet. The Vespa Elettrica is currently available for pre-order with an MSRP of $7,499 and is slated to be in dealer’s showrooms April 1, 2019.

Begin Vespa Press Release:

It is not a new electric scooter, it is Vespa Elettrica, it is a work of art with a technological heart that is born as the symbol of our modern times and the years to come.

Vespa Elettrica is the most modern icon of Italian technology, it is synonymous with advanced connectivity and quiet operation, customization and accessibility, respect for the environment and unique style. These are values that have always belonged to Vespa and which now, in Vespa Elettrica, have been fully accomplished, confirming Vespa as the brand that has always been ahead of its times with respect to its market.

Vespa Elettrica, which is characterized by its easy ride, or rather, its natural ride, takes shape as the highest expression of Piaggio Group research in the electric mobility area to meet the needs of a growing environmental sensitivity, with the goal of providing technological solutions for an increasingly sustainable and livable urban habitat.

I AM THE POWER

The heart of Vespa Elettrica is a Power Unit capable of delivering continuous power of 3.5 kW and peak power of 4 kW: values that, combined with a torque of over 200 Nm, provide performance superior to that of a traditional 50 cc scooter, especially in terms of acceleration and uphill power that benefits from the typical quick output of electric motors. This results in an agile and enjoyable ride on urban routes in total silence. In fact, Vespa Elettrica is completely silent, helping to make cities less chaotic and more livable, countering pollution even in terms of noise.

Vespa Elettrica guarantees a maximum range of up to 100 km, a value that does not change significantly on a rural route, thanks to a modern lithium-ion battery and an efficient Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), which charges it in the deceleration phases. Charging operations are the simplest thing imaginable: the lithium-ion battery, just like the one in modern smartphones, needs no special precautions. To charge, simply extract the cable from the seat compartment, where the fuel cap is usually located, and plug in to a normal wall outlet or one of the growing number of public charging stations in big cities. The standard time required for a full charge is 4 hours (with voltage of 220 V).

As further confirmation of how extremely easy user-friendly Vespa Elettrica is, the motor and battery pack are completely maintenance-free. The battery provides excellent efficiency for up to 1000 full charging cycles. This translates into a range of between 50,000 and 70,000 km, equivalent to approximately 10 years of operation for a vehicle intended for urban commuting. Even after the thousand charging cycles, the battery still maintains 80% of its capacity and is perfectly usable. Located under the helmet compartment, the compact battery pack does not compromise the functionality of the Vespa Elettrica seat compartment, which can hold a Jet helmet.

The Ride by Wire electronic accelerator controls the power output of Vespa Elettrica’s motor. By pressing the RIDING MODE button on the right-hand side of the handlebar, the rider can choose between ECO and Power, in addition to Reverse mode for easier handling of Vespa Elettrica while maneuvering. ECO mode, intended to save energy, extends battery life; speed is limited to 30 km/h and acceleration is more gradual. However, Power is the basic riding mode which fully exploits the power of the motor.

VESPA ELETTRICA, CONNECTED TO THE WORLD

Vespa Elettrica is not just a silent, ecological and technologically advanced vehicle; It is also, and above all, connected.: The many features offered by a new version of the Vespa Multimedia Platform, the multimedia system that connects a smartphone to the vehicle, can be managed through a man-machine interface incorporating a digital instrument panel with a 4.3 inch color TFT display, always easy to read thanks to the twilight sensor that adapts the background and color of the characters to the light conditions (day/night mode) and the four adjustable brightness levels.

The extensive information displayed is arranged in a very impressive and extremely rational graphic diagram. The center of the screen always contains the main information such as speed, selected riding modes, residual range in km and battery charge level (%), while the ecological riding quality and the level of energy used or recovered during the ride are indicated on either side. But it is using the dedicated Vespa App on your smartphone and connecting it to the vehicle – via Bluetooth – that lets you take full advantage of the capabilities of the TFT display on which all notifications of incoming calls and messages appear, highly visible in the center.

The system also allows you to use the handlebar buttons to answer calls and to use the smartphone’s voice commands to make calls or play music from your own playlist. To fully enjoy all these features, easily managed through the handy MODE joystick on the right control block, a special dedicated Jet helmet with built-in earphones and Bluetooth intercom is available for Vespa Elettrica as an optional accessory.

Of course, the predisposition for connection to the outside world is not limited to the various Infotainment functions. thanks to the dedicated Vespa App, once connected to Vespa Elettrica, your smartphone becomes an exceptional source of parameters in real time, as well as other useful information on vehicle use, including trip time and distance, battery charge use percentage, statistics on the last 30 trips, push notifications on the battery charge status, number of recharge cycles carried out and much more.

Vespa Elettrica is Always Unique and Customizable

Vespa Elettrica is designed with the same unmistakable lines that have made Vespa an icon of style and elegance around the globe and won the hearts of entire generations of young people.

The body shape, strictly in steel in accordance with the best Vespa tradition, is emphasized by an exclusive dedicated livery: In fact, Vespa Elettrica comes in a special grey finish, around which the customer can choose to tailor many distinctive details.

The front headlight with LED technology and the rear light cluster give an even more distinct personality to Vespa Elettrica, which adopts generous 12″ front and 11″ rear aluminum alloy rims. Comfort benefits from a seat made of a material capable of providing maximum comfort for rider and passenger, as well as perfect ergonomics. The remote-control key has a built-in Bike Finder feature (flashes the turn indicators) and a seat compartment opening function, while the inside of the compartment in the leg shield back plate contains a USB socket for charging smartphones or other mobile devices.

All the Vespa Accessories

As with every Vespa, Vespa Elettrica can also be customized and made into a unique piece, following the personality of the rider, thanks to a rich range of accessories: The dedicated top box, painted entirely in the same color as the vehicle and enhanced by the chromed Vespa badge, can hold a full-face helmet. The top box can be finished with a backrest, covered in the same material as the seat. The chrome-plated base where the top box is mounted can also be used as a luggage rack. An extra touch of elegance is provided by the genuine Italian leather seat and backrest that are subjected to a special protective treatment in order to maintain a high level of quality over time.

Maximum protection is provided by a windshield made of high-quality anti-splinter methacrylate, customized with the Vespa logo; the support brackets are made with a chrome finish in line with the other aesthetic details. Vespa Elettrica can also be fitted with a top fairing – available both transparent and smoked – that elegantly rounds off the front design of the vehicle.

The classic chrome front and rear luggage racks are also available for Vespa Elettrica. The front side and rear chrome mudguards elegantly finish the vehicle and protect the bodywork. A hand-crafted black leather bag, 100% Made in Italy, which can accommodate a jet helmet with visor can be easily fastened to the rear luggage rack.

Another novelty is the original backpack with LED piping that can be taken apart and used as an internal bag for the top box and backrest with built-in helmet bag. Equipped with a special laptop compartment and a power bank for charging mobile devices, the backpack is also available in an innovative reflective fabric that matches Vespa Elettrica’s typical chrome grey color.

The range of Vespa Elettrica accessories is also enriched by the convenient side-stand – in black-painted steel to make parking easier, an outdoor cover and an indoor “big logo” cover, both with convenient openings to accommodate any accessories, and a non-slip rubber mat.

An electronic alarm is available for Vespa Elettrica as is a mechanical saddle-handlebar lock and a line of customized mechanical anti-theft devices. The essential mittens and leg covers are practical and fast to fit, made of thermal material to provide excellent protection from the weather. The Vespa Elettrica leg cover bears a metal Vespa logo and provides maximum stability even at high speeds. The saddle cover and anti-theft device are integrated in the accessory.

Vespa Elettrica Pre-Booking Information

Vespa Elettrica is now available for pre-booking market-specific webpages. Details are available at each:

USA: https://prebookingelettrica.vespa.com/us_en

Canada: https://prebookingelettrica.vespa.com/ca_en

Vespa Elettrica – Technical Data Sheet