Lambretta, the iconic purveyor of retro-inspired scooter design, has unveiled a stylish electric model at the EICMA 2023 Milan Motorcycle Show, hinting at a bold new direction for this beloved brand. Introducing the Lambretta Elettra, a revolutionary mannequin that seamlessly blends timeless charm with cutting-edge electric vehicle technology.
The Lambretta’s iconic status has for decades evoked a distinct type of enthusiasm and nostalgic sentiment among scooter enthusiasts. Emerging in Italy during the latter half of the 1940s, Lambretta evolved into an iconic symbol of continental flair and post-war freedom.
In Italy’s post-war era, Lambretta scooters served as both a practical means of transportation and a powerful symbol of youthful rebellion, embodying the style and flair of their generation. Throughout its extensive development over time, the Lambretta model has consistently retained its fundamental design essence. The very essence of the iconic design philosophy is now perfectly encapsulated in the newly introduced Lambretta Elettra.
At the recent presentation, I was privileged to get an intimate view of the innovative mannequin, which truly amazed me with its ability to seamlessly merge the company’s heritage with cutting-edge design elements. The entire rear bodywork tilts to an angle that permits access to the mechanics underneath?
Lambretta stood out with its impressive specifications, defying conventions by delivering a top speed of up to 110 km/h (68 mph), making it a highway-capable scooter that can effortlessly navigate both urban and extra-urban environments.
The Lambretta Elettra achieves impressive velocity thanks to its powerful 11 kW (15 hp) electric motor, which enables swift acceleration and a higher top speed compared to many other models available.
The scooter’s energy source is a substantial 4.6 kWh lithium-ion battery, albeit its manufacturer has opted for a single, non-detachable unit, echoing the design choice of its competitor, Vespa.
The majority of electrical scooters feature modular designs with removable batteries, allowing users to recharge them independently from the vehicle itself. When Vespa introduced the Vespa Elettrica scooter, it opted for a single, non-interchangeable battery setup initially. A built-in coiled charging cord enabled homeowners to effortlessly charge their scooter as long as it was within reach of a power outlet. While that design excels at storage and street-level charging stations, its limitations become apparent when it comes to homeowners without dedicated charging spots. Given that many urban populations in several European cities comprise predominantly young people?
Lambretta has followed suit with Vespa, equipping the Lambretta Elettra with a singularly-mounted battery, mirroring the design choice of its rival.
The parent company of Vespa, Piaggio, followed conventional industry practices by introducing the Piaggio ONE electric scooter with removable batteries several years after the debut of the original Vespa Elettrica.
While the 4.6 kWh battery in the Lambretta Elettra is significantly larger than typical detachable battery electric scooters, the difference is not drastically significant. My initial NIU electrical scooter featured a 4.2 kWh battery split into two removable modules, allowing me to charge the batteries indoors while keeping the scooter at street level.
Lambretta intends to take its new electric scooter into production, with its first model featuring fixed batteries – at least for the time being. As the electric vehicle landscape continues to evolve, it’s hardly surprising that future designs might follow suit and adopt removable batteries, building upon Piaggio’s pioneering move.
When exactly can we expect to ride effortlessly on an electric-powered Lambretta, and what will be the cost of this innovative technology? The answers remain shrouded in mystery.
