Electric Scooters Arrive in NZ

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MEDIA RELEASE
4th FEBRUARY 2008
Economic, Efficient and Easy to Ride – Electric Scooters Arrive in NZ

Kiwis looking for a smarter mode of transport that is easy on the pocket, easy to ride and easy on the environment, will welcome the arrival of New Zealand’s first range of electric scooters.

The battery operated scooters are being imported from China where literally millions of electric scooters are ridden every day. Auckland-based ElectroScoot NZ Limited is bringing in the scooters which can travel around 60–80 kilometres before needing to be recharged.

The cost of running an electric scooter is miniscule when compared with the cost of running a petrol car. For example, its costs about $150 to run a scooter for 60 kilometres every day of the year – or 40 cents a day - well below the average monthly bill for a common 1300cc petrol car. And your typical inner city 15 kilometres trip would cost just 10 cents* – even less if the distance is shorter.

Another benefit is that drivers require only a standard New Zealand motor vehicle license to ride an electric scooter which starts with the simply turn of a key, and a twist of the throttle. There are no gear changes making the scooter extremely easy to ride. Their light weight makes the scooters equally agile to manoeuvre and park. The scooters also all feature ABS brakes, a burglar alarm, a finder key, and a lockable rear storage box.

With a top speed of around 50 kilometres per hour, the scooters aren’t permitted on motorways but Clendon anticipates they will appeal to those wanting an environmentally-friendly transport option and greater financial freedom.

“They’re perfect for moving efficiently and easily around the inner city or suburbs,” he says. “And ideal for driving to work, taking short trips, running errands, or using for promotions. They can even pull a golf cart! We launched on 1 February and I have already sold several. Interest is mounting now our website is live and we have a retail space.”

The scooters currently come in two models, 1000 and 1500 watts, (1000W and 1500W) and retail for $2200 and $2400 including GST. They also come in a choice of two colours, sunflower yellow for the 1000W scooter and fiery orange for the 1500W scooter. Each carries passengers weighing up to 100 or 120 kilograms respectively.

Clendon says he became interested in electric scooters after a visit to China two years ago where he saw how popular they were across Asia.

“I realised then that the scooters offered a viable and affordable alternative for Kiwis struggling to get from A to B efficiently, cheaply, and easily. “

The scooters are virtually maintenance free. The only maintenance requirements are tyres, brakes and the odd light bulb. The scooters’ long life, sealed batteries have a life expectancy of somewhere between two to four years. Clendon says, “You simply charge overnight and the next day you are again ready to drive away. It’s as simple as that.”

The scooters are manufactured in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province by Taizhou Kensenwe Vehicle Manufacturing Company which exports its products, including motorbikes and dirt bikes, to 50 countries and regions throughout Asia and Europe.

The arrival of the electric scooters in New Zealand has been welcomed by business leader, Michael Barnett of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, who believes New Zealand is going to see more economic and environmentally friendly initiatives such as this over the coming years.

“We live in a changing environment where efficiency and sustainability are increasingly important and ideas such as electric scooters should be supported.”

However to be successful, Barnett says Councils around the country need to have a positive attitude towards alternative transport options such as electric scooters and accommodate them with additional parking. At the moment, scooters are afforded free parking in inner cities whereas cars utilising inner city car parks on a daily basis can pay around $3000 a year for the luxury of parking close to work.

The number of scooters registered in New Zealand has more than doubled over the past five years. According to Land Transport New Zealand, there were 7685 petrol scooters and mopeds with a cc rating of less than 50cc licensed as at 1st January 2003. As of this January, there were 17,738 representing an increase of 230 per cent.

ElectroScoot scooters can be viewed at www.electroscoot.co.nz or retail premises, 10 Eric Baker Place, Papatoetoe, Manukau. For more information freephone 0508-SCOOTS (0508 72-66-87).

*Based on travelling 50 kph for 15 kilometres with an 85kg load.

ENDS

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