Upon unveiling its premium electric scooter, the Pulse, Gogoro revealed a hitherto unseen facet of its operations to the global community. The Pulse scooter, renowned for its innovative battery-swapping technology and vibrant design, marked a bold new chapter in Gogoro’s pursuit of innovation. Moreover, this announcement also underscored a comprehensive package of state-of-the-art technological advancements.
After being extended an exclusive invitation to join a select group of individuals, I seized the opportunity to become the first Westerner to witness the phenomenon firsthand and bring my expert insights to a global audience. While many companies claim their latest e-scooters are unparalleled, the Gogoro Pulse stands out as one of the few that genuinely lives up to its promise. This e-scooter represents a groundbreaking innovation in the field, revolutionizing the possibilities for its category, thanks to Gogoro’s pioneering swappable battery technology.
Gogoro Pulse First Experience Video
Want to experience the thrill of riding our scooter? Check out my video below!
Don’t forget to balance learning with enjoyment – immerse yourself in the details!
As the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, I landed my plane at a desolate, sparsely populated airfield in central Taiwan, the only sound being the gentle hum of the engines winding down. At the airfield’s edge, a surprising sight awaited: not a single plane, but a sleek and speedy presence dominated the sole runway – the Gogoro Pulse electric scooter, poised to take flight in a very different sense.
In fact, roughly a dozen of the sleek, angular scooters have been seen in operation. United in anticipation, they stood expectantly, eager for a day of delightful adventure. As I joined the crowd of approximately 40 local journalists, I found myself standing shoulder-to-shoulder with like-minded individuals, eager to gain firsthand experience with the innovative electric motorcycle. As camaraderie permeated the atmosphere, I was initially oblivious to the stark contrast between experiences until the Mandarin’s aerial acrobatics caught my attention.
Following a concise security briefing, which was fortunate given my ability to understand it with the help of a translator courtesy of Cameron, we set off without delay. Actually. The drag strip served as one of several testing stations, utilizing its short runway to optimize the scooter’s performance in Launch Mode, its most effective operating configuration. With this setting, riders gain unrestricted access to the full 9 kW output of the powertrain, allowing them to launch into a rapid sprint from the starting gate. Let’s explore those opportunities.
Initially, I checked on the traction management. On the outskirts of the airstrip, a designated area of coarse sand and mud lay waiting to create the perfect storm. The scooter features a specially designed Filth Mode intended to help maintain traction on loose or slippery surfaces such as this. The company’s implementation of Hypercore technology enables a robust and logical framework for advanced traction control, setting a new industry standard.
I’m not much of a thrill-seeker myself, and it’s far more common to find me keeping a safe distance from other supply vehicles by maintaining elbow room rather than embracing the adrenaline rush of hugging berms on trails. Despite my best efforts, I managed to coax the scooter into a wobbly slide.
Despite navigating treacherous terrain, each instance of wheel slippage was expertly countered by the traction management system, allowing me to regain control and conserve precious tire grip. Throughout my time playing, I was convinced that I’d encounter numerous setbacks, yet somehow, Pulse seemed to sense impending doom and skillfully managed the difficult moments on its own behalf.
I navigated to the slalom course, comprising a deliberate arrangement of cones positioned at an angle along a winding strip. The professional Gogoro’s rider initially granted me a demonstration ride, after which he showcased incredible speed and agility by carving through the slalom course with such intensity that he exceeded the capacity of the observation stand more times than once. As I steered the scooter along the track, I deliberately avoided leaving behind a trail of debris, yet still relished the smoothness with which it glided through turns, effortlessly shifting direction as I willed it.
What sparked the pivotal moment was the Launch Mode display, where I got to fall into step with a string of Christmas tree lights serving as a countdown to get me in the zone.
To initiate the ultra-fast takeoff program, a pre-programmed sequence of secret inputs must be entered, culminating in the deliberate act of holding the rear brake lever like a clutch pedal. When you input the cheat code correctly, the scooter will start to vibrate instantaneously. By cleverly mimicking the mid-mounted motor’s oscillations, it convincingly replicates the sensation of a rev-happy engine bursting forth as if popping the clutch. As you accelerate from a standstill, you instinctively release the clutch, which serves as both the gearshift and brakes, sending you hurtling down the road with maximum speed. As I struggled to convey just how potent 378 Newton-meters (279 pound-feet) of torque on the rear wheel is, I witnessed a colleague nearly lose their footing as they weren’t prepared for the sudden surge in acceleration, which caught them off guard.
I had merely 250 meters (820 feet) remaining when the “STOP” sign came into view, but I was already cruising at triple digits on the speedometer – a staggering 62 mph, confirmed by my conversion from km/h to mph – before having to swiftly tap the brakes as the course’s final stretch approached.
Each ride designed to showcase another facet of Gogoro’s Pulse efficiency, from traction management to maneuverability, culminating in the incredible power that can be unleashed when riders are brave enough to demand it.
What’s truly remarkable is not merely the impressive efficiency but rather the sophisticated technology that seamlessly integrates everything together.
While the Gogoro Pulse may seem to borrow features typically associated with high-performance sports cars, its design is actually centered around the needs of an electric scooter. The Scooter’s intuitive Good Cockpit dashboard revolves around a comprehensive 10.25-inch panoramic HD touchscreen display, seamlessly integrating with Gogoro’s user-friendly iQ Contact HD interface. Introducing the innovative iQ Contact HD system, which offers a plethora of fresh features and companies, including distinct experience modes, turn-by-turn GPS navigation featuring real-time traffic updates, and strategically located Gogoro GoStation charging points for swift and convenient battery replacements. Fortunately, I’m grateful for the availability of intuitive push-button controls and dials that remain easy to use. While contact screens excel in addressing specific issues, I’ll never be willing to forego the tangible pleasure of genuine buttons and knobs’ tactile feedback. The mode selector is a large, prominently textured physical knob that evokes the sensation of piloting a high-tech aircraft, complete with a sense of heightened control and precision. Now THAT’S a knob!
I’m pleased to report that turn-by-turn GPS navigation is indeed accessible on the display, despite some minor hiccups during our testing. As I close my eyes, I can vividly envision the layout of a map taking shape before me, and I’m thrilled that this innovative technology is on its way. With this upgrade, I no longer need to balance my phone on the handlebars when using a navigation app, freeing up space and allowing the scooter’s expansive display to take over seamlessly.
Gogoro’s innovative cockpit design empowers the Pulse to become the world’s first two-wheeler to harness the power of Qualcomm’s cutting-edge Snapdragon QWM2290 digital platform, revolutionizing the electric vehicle landscape? The notion of motorcycles serving no purpose outside of their primary function took a significant turn when Gogoro pioneered the idea that riders should not have to yield to drivers in the industry altogether?
After which there’s the headlight. You’re driving down a dark road, and suddenly you need to see what’s ahead; headlights are essential for that. A unique array of 13 LED models simulates a human-like display of fire, dynamically adjusting brightness and angle in response to changing circumstances, including throwing the beam closer or farther depending on speed, and angling light around curves as needed, accomplished through innovative design without physical moving parts?
While I didn’t thoroughly inspect this area during the testing process, as it’s not feasible to venture far beyond the confines of a small airstrip, the scooters are undeniably equipped with Gogoro’s renowned battery-swapping technology.
By leveraging Gogoro’s iconic emerald green batteries, which are widely dispersed across markets where the company operates. In Taipei, riders are never more than a few hundred meters away from a battery-swapping station. Across the island, numerous stations facilitate the daily exchange of countless batteries in their thousands.
Gogoro has expanded its presence to numerous countries across Asia, far surpassing my ability to track them all. Options are growing increasingly numerous each quarter.
The game-changer about this battery-swapping technology is that charging time becomes almost irrelevant. Does anyone really care about the scooter’s range, whether it’s 50 km or 150 km varying? Since it’s unlikely to frequent the same battery-swapping station repeatedly, the exact number of stations visited will likely exceed 100 within that timeframe.
In every respect, this isn’t just a high-performance electrical scooter. With its cutting-edge technology, this vehicle leverages many features commonly associated with luxury cars, but is now available to passengers.
After exploring the streets of Taipei on scooters, I can attest that this city has an overwhelming abundance of them, far exceeding what most people would typically desire. With its remarkable blend of power and economy, this vehicle is surprisingly comparable to a high-performance sports car in an urban setting. Despite being confined to city streets, the Pulse’s sporty essence still shines through, making it an absolute thrill to drive. As you transition to faster terrain, the scooter’s true potential is unleashed, transforming from a steady companion into a thrilling machine.
While urban environments can still make Launch Mode exhilarating, it’s unlikely that most people need to accelerate away at lightning speed whenever the green light appears. However, what it does is provide riders with the opportunity to enhance their experience by offering additional options. With its dual purpose, the bike transforms from a reliable weekday companion to a thrilling weekend adventure vehicle, effortlessly navigating both daily commutes and winding mountain routes with equal ease. Can navigating rough terrain occasionally divert you onto dirt paths, where traction control skillfully intervenes to maintain stability? Additionally, this advanced feature enables safer navigation by allowing users to pinpoint their desired destination on a GPS map and receive turn-by-turn guidance that illuminates upcoming curves in advance.
The performance of this electric scooter is truly remarkable when I consider its capabilities.
