NIU, one of many world’s main sensible electrical scooter and micromobility corporations, has simply launched a brand new light-weight commuter possibility, the NIU KQi 200F. Designed for riders who want a steadiness between portability and efficiency, the brand new mannequin introduces folding handlebars – following up on a function launched late final yr to NIU’s well-liked KQi scooter line.
The NIU KQi 200F stands out instantly for its compactness. Because of the foldable handlebars and stem, it might probably simply match into tight areas like workplace corners, public transit, or the trunk of a automobile.
Whereas almost all electrical scooters can fold on the stem, extensive scooter handlebars nonetheless have a tendency to stay out and restrict storage choices. With folding handlebars, the KQi 200F’s widest part is probably going its deck, measuring simply 6.9 inches (17.5 cm) at its widest, making it extremely slim and simpler to stuff into tight areas.
Underneath the hood, the KQi 200F carries a 48V 7.8Ah battery that gives 365Wh of saved capability. That’s sufficient for as much as 33.6 miles (54 km) of vary on a single cost. The scooter is powered by a 350W rear hub motor, which peaks at 700W with 22 Nm of torque, giving it sufficient oomph to deal with hills and obtain a high velocity of 20 mph (32 km/h).
The motor gives a major enhance in comparison with NIU’s KQi2 Professional scooter, together with 7% extra velocity, 33% higher hill climbing, 17% extra energy, and 38% extra torque. The battery additionally gives 35% extra vary.
Weighing in at 44 kilos (20 kg), it’s not the lightest scooter in the marketplace, however it’s an inexpensive weight given the scooter’s comparatively excessive efficiency in comparison with extra primary scooters. NIU additionally charges the KQi 200F for riders as much as 265 kilos (120 kg).
The KQi 200F comes with 10 x 2.3-inch pneumatic tires, which ought to supply a smoother trip than the smaller or strong tires discovered on many ultra-portable scooters. The entrance suspension fork additionally helps contribute to that smoother trip. The scooter contains dual-wheel braking with a entrance disc brake mixed with rear regenerative braking for enhanced stopping energy. NIU claims a stopping distance of simply 14 ft (4.2 meters) at reasonable speeds.
The scooter additionally features a shiny LED headlight, taillight, and built-in facet lighting for nighttime security, together with handlebar-mounted flip alerts to extend the probabilities of vehicles really seeing and appropriately deciphering the flip sign lights.
On the tech facet, the scooter connects to the NIU app by way of Bluetooth, permitting riders to lock the scooter remotely, customise driving modes, observe rides, and monitor battery well being. An LED dashboard show on the handlebars reveals velocity, battery degree, and driving mode at a look. And for personalization on the {hardware} facet, NIU gives a number of grip tape choices permitting riders to play with the scooter’s aesthetics (although the scooter nonetheless solely is available in a single coloration that I prefer to name NIU Grey).
The KQi 200F is priced at $799, however carries a $100 low cost for $699 throughout its launch, positioning it competitively towards different mid-range electrical scooters. Along with aggressive pricing, NIU is banking on its fame as a significant sensible scooter firm (identified for each standing and seated scooters) to distinguish itself within the more and more crowded market.
For these unfamiliar with NIU, the corporate was based in 2014 and shortly made a reputation for itself, producing related electrical mopeds and scooters for city commuters. In actual fact, we not too long ago took a visit to the corporate’s manufacturing unit to get a peek behind the scenes at how they produce tens of millions of those sensible e-scooters.
NIU now operates in over 50 international locations and has bought tens of millions of automobiles worldwide. Within the US, NIU is finest identified for its standing electrical scooters and increasing line of commuter e-mopeds or seated e-scooters, however in Europe and Asia, their seated e-scooters dominate their lineup.
Electrek’s Take
By providing folding handlebars on the KQi 200F, NIU appears to be focusing on metropolis dwellers who might have restricted space for storing or want to combine scooter commuting with public transportation. It’s an attention-grabbing transfer, particularly as demand for last-mile options continues to develop and cities worldwide encourage alternate options to automobile possession.
NIU has lengthy been identified for its tech-focused scooters, and so along with getting what seems to be a nicely-performing trip, I feel an enormous a part of the worth right here is the connectivity that NIU builds into this stuff. I’ve bought a NIU KQi 200F with my identify on it that I’m excited to get testing with shortly, so I’ll remember to come again and allow you to guys know what I feel.
