E-max electric scooters: the German alternative to Chinese products
Electric scooters are attracting more and more interest from individuals, administrations and other businesses. But until now, only the Chinese have met this growing demand…. But in 2008, e-max scooters landed !
She had been working there for several months and it is finally formalized: the French company Sweet ‘Elec, importer of Chinese electric scooters in France (read), will be from 2008 the exclusive distributor of German e-max electric scooters. !
We already know the advantages of the electric machine: almost zero noise pollution, no polluting emissions – direct in any case – and simplified maintenance compared to thermal scooters having pistons, valves if necessary, pots, belts, etc..
Unveiled at the Milan Motor Show 2006, the e-max electric scooters differ from the heat engine scooters and Chinese electric scooters by two main points.
First of all, unlike Chinese electric scooters which are "thermal" scooters more or less crudely decked out with batteries, "the e-max was designed around the battery", explains to Site Patricia Braillon, manager of the company Sweet ‘Elec, on her booth of the JPMS 2008 (read our).
A radically opposed vision and a different conception for products "that the Chinese did not know how to do", assures the French manager. Of course, the e-max are assembled in China, in Wuxi, near Shanghai. But"the plant is placed under German supervision, so as not to be let go along the way by an unscrupulous subcontractor !", explains Patricia Braillon.
In addition, these scooters were designed by a German firm and designed by the Italian Paolo Valcic: "the dealers and mechanics who came to visit us on our stand were all amazed by the quality of finish of this scooter", underlines the manager.
And it is clear that in terms of finish, the e-max represent a clear improvement over the competition. At all good for them, but also for the market in general, and therefore for the end consumer !
The electrical connections are neat, energy management is done via a processor (BMS "Battery Management System" for the Lithium versions), the dashboard receives a digital gauge and two distance totalisers, while a button " Boost "with the right thumb makes it possible to increase by 80% the power of the machine (400W max), useful in duo, in the hills or for an overtaking.
Cycle part level, the chassis has been specially created to receive the batteries – "which lowers the center of gravity", observes Patricia Braillon – the wheels acquire the respectable size of 13 inches, the two brakes are disc brakes (with nice hoses imitating the" aviation type ") and the fairing parts blend neatly.
Second important point which differentiates this production from the 100% Chinese one: the company e-max is proud to be "one of the few on the market to offer Lithium-Ion batteries". Batteries which have the particular advantage of having a better capacity: approximately 150 Wh per kg against 30 Wh per kg for lead-acid batteries.
The first models distributed in France will not however benefit from these famous Lithium Ion batteries: the 90S and 110S – with an "S" for "silicone" – will have good old lead-acid batteries ensuring them a respective autonomy of 45 to 60 and 70 to 90 km depending on use. Finally, the cycle part is guaranteed for two years and the battery one year or 10,000 km..
The 90S (3,250 euros) and 110S (3,490 euros), exhibited at JPMS in a slightly different version of the final product, will be available in May 2008 in seven solid colors: red, yellow, green, blue, black, silver and white. Easy to handle despite their weight (151 and 191 kg), these two scooters just require increased attention during the first acceleration or relaunching, the torque being much higher than that of a "classic" 50cc.
We will have to wait a few more months to see the 100L, 120L and 140L versions land from Germany – with an "L" for "lithium", you understand! -, whose name corresponds roughly to their range in kilometers and which could be of interest to the City of Paris in its project to fight against greenhouse gases. Their battery warranty will be extended to "three years or 50,000 km", explains Sweet ‘Elec.
All its scooters without exception are considered in the eyes of the law as "49.9 cc motorcycles", and are therefore restricted to 45 km / h. But those in a hurry will be delighted to know that a 125cc model (the 190L) is already in preparation in Munich … According to its technical sheet, it would achieve a maximum speed of "80-100 km / h"for a still unknown autonomy.
And who is the customer base for this type of scooter? "A lot of people", answer tit for tat the representatives of Sweet ‘Elec! Administrations and town halls for their various services, delivery men and couriers, rental companies who receive more and more requests because"it’s more pleasant to travel by the sea or discover towns or villages", or even driving schools.
"Do you think: for road training, at school or for the BSR, a simple programming is enough to clamp the scooter at the speed you want and work indoors in complete safety", explains one of the managers of Sweet’Elec."And the instructors are heard without any worries !"
"It’s nice because before, with Chinese products, we had to canvass customers while today, they are the ones who come to us to distribute the e-max !", finally notes Patricia Braillon.
In Italy, 200 scooters of this type were sold in less than a month. And at JPMS, the Sweet ‘Elec team claims to have met a number "impressive"of dealers interested in these 2008 novelties … To be continued in the balance sheets Site from this summer !
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