For over two decades, Razor has been a pioneer in the micromobility industry, consistently delivering exceptional scooters that have set the standard for excellence. Following up on my review of the Razor Icon’s playful and retro charm, I’m excited to put my skills to the test with the Razor EcoSmart Cargo, a unique, two-seated electric scooter designed for transporting both rider and passenger in comfort and style.
Following my initial report on EcoSmart’s successful launch last year, I was thoroughly enthusiastic.
A dual-seater electric scooter designed to transport two adults at speeds of up to 20 mph (32 km/h) while also serving as a utility vehicle capable of carrying cargo. All for simply $1,099?! Signal me up! It’s undeniable that the Segway personal transporter shares some characteristics with scooters. rip-off of homage to the RadRunner.)
Having thoroughly examined the scooter, I’ve identified several significant drawbacks to this configuration. While the compact electric vehicle has its appealing attributes, I’m hesitant to recommend it as my top choice.
Watch my video overview below to see what I have to say about the EcoSmart Cargo, then continue reading for the complete specifications and all my thoughts on this exciting new vehicle.
Razor EcoSmart Cargo video overview
Razor EcoSmart Cargo tech specs
- 1,000W chain-driving mid-motor
- 48V
- 20 mph (32 km/h)
- Up to approximately 16.6 miles (27 km)
- 76.5 lb (34.7 kg)
- 300 lb (136 kg)
- Rear disc brake
- 16″x3.0″ tires on spoked rims
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The e-scooter features entrance and rear LED lights, along with a display that offers 5-speed settings. A heart-shaped kickstand provides added stability, while folding footpegs in the rear enable convenient parking. The adjustable top seat ensures a comfortable ride, and the rear bench can be easily replaced with a basket. Additional storage is provided by an under-seat compartment, and the UL-listed battery ensures reliable power.
First, what did I like?
The Razor EcoSmart Cargo presents several notable features.
With its sleek design and powerful motor, this scooter is the perfect mode of transportation for navigating bustling city streets or simply cruising around town. Despite its compact size, you can effortlessly cruise along at a leisurely 20 miles per hour or 32 kilometers per hour in this charming little vehicle. While its extended bench seat and rear footpegs enable two-up riding, perfect for sharing the experience with a friend or fellow enthusiast. The rear section features transparent panels, known as clear skirts, which protect the pillion rider’s ankles and pant legs from contacting the rear wheel.
Below the rear seat lies a compact storage compartment capable of accommodating the charger, a few tools, and personal items such as wallets and keys. When traveling solo, consider removing the rear seat and replacing it with the provided cargo basket for added storage.
The sturdy heart-shaped kickstand of the Razor EcoSmart Cargo scooter ensures stability and security when parked. A unique bamboo inlay adorns the scooter’s deck with unexpected elegance. The fenders are commonplace tools. The bicycle has even been equipped with headlights and tail/brake lights. For under $1,000, this device offers a multitude of features.
And it’s handy too! Designed specifically for shorter riders, the lowered seat height offers enhanced comfort, while the unique feature of placing feet flat on the ground at stops instills unwavering confidence in novice cyclists.
Taller riders can adjust the seat to its highest setting, albeit the forward and rear sections will no longer align seamlessly. Or, as you prepare to exit the plane at the front row, consider standing up and slipping back down the aisle for a few extra inches of legroom.
There are several notable features embedded within this relatively inconspicuous electric scooter design. At just $1,099, this setup offers exceptional value.
Please provide the text you’d like me to improve, and I’ll get back to you with a revised version in a different style.
In reality, there are merely a handful.
Razor’s EcoSmart Cargo features a powerful and efficient central motor that propels its cargo-hauling capabilities forward. Despite boasting a powerful and torque-rich configuration with 1,000W of power, this e-bike looks more like a sleek series gliding down the street. Does that ear-piercing whine really have to be so loud? Please watch the video above to hear me explain what I am trying to convey.
The motor does not offer freewheeling capabilities, allowing users to push the scooter forward easily while walking alongside it, but providing significant resistance when attempting to push it backwards, requiring the motor to be actively engaged against the user’s effort.
While unusual situations don’t typically arise, I’ve found that whenever I needed to maneuver the scooter while parking or occasionally required only a short backward push, I learned that you must commit your back to it since you’re activating the motor and wheel mechanism. With minimal effort, you’ll effortlessly propel the scooter forward using just a single finger whenever the need arises. To go backward effectively, you typically need a firm two-handed grip to pull the device.
Subsequent, let’s speak stopping energy. While the scooter boasts impressive acceleration courtesy of its spirited motor, its braking performance leaves much to be desired, being somewhat lacking in potency. While I’ve tested various e-bikes and scooters featuring rear-wheel brakes only, I typically find them to stop remarkably well. So, it’s not just that there’s one major brake. The substitution is so flawed that the brake seems woefully insufficient from the start. With its substantial weight (75 kilos!) and inadequate braking system, I found it crucial to anticipate and prepare for stops in advance to avoid overshooting stop signs or red lights. Despite my best efforts, I was unable to secure the rear wheel. I’d gradually ease off the brakes with deliberate slowness, allowing the vehicle to slow down smoothly and come to a gentle halt.
While initially, the brake performance showed some improvement after a fortnight, the discs actually took longer to bed in at a higher rate than expected. Although they never reached a level that didn’t intimidate me. Having extensively examined the performance of two-wheelers equipped with disc brakes, I firmly conclude that they fail to effectively mitigate this issue.
The steering response is slightly less pronounced than I would have liked, with a more gradual transition from one end of the lock to the other. The system’s supposed purpose for this feature remains unclear, potentially implying it serves as a security function. However, it’s likely that the intended use is to prevent excessive bar rotation during low-speed cargo transfers, requiring additional back-and-forth actions to achieve optimal positioning. Since rolling backwards is notoriously challenging, this added hurdle significantly amplifies the frustration.
So then, what’s the decision?
I’m currently situated in a captivating location. As one of the most prolific reviewers of e-bikes and e-scooters online, I’m a rare breed of expert rider with a passion for exploring the unique capabilities of these innovative electric vehicles. I travel extensively every day, for the most part, all day long. While the Razor EcoSmart Cargo has some flaws, I’ll just have to overlook them and consider it a solid choice.
However, this isn’t a scooter I’d trust to carry my mother, which puts the potential risks into stark perspective. For me, the weak brakes pose a significant security risk. Quality-of-life aspects such as motor noise and bothersome maneuverability serve as counterpoints to overall performance. While not insurmountable, these factors nonetheless lean towards the negative side of the ledger.
While the scooter’s current state allows me to ride it personally, I would not recommend it to most people, which is unfortunate because its superior design and vast potential are wasted. With these two key upgrades, the bike’s performance would likely be significantly enhanced: a rear hub motor for added power and assistance, combined with higher-quality disc brakes to provide reliable stopping power in various conditions. That’s it. These two components would effectively alleviate many of the drawbacks I observe in this context. Given their focus on eco-friendly products, it’s plausible that EcoSmart might introduce a Cargo Model 2 in the future, aligning with Razor’s existing product portfolio. I’d love to make a go of it thanks to my all-in commitment to seated electric scooters like these. It’s simply that this particular point requires minimal effort on my part to recall previous discussions.
