Taiwanese smart-scooter pioneer Gogoro is taking a step into extra accessible territory with its latest mannequin, the Ezzy. The corporate hopes to leverage its large lead in battery-swapping know-how whereas additionally bringing its sensible scooters to a broader viewers by reducing its worth level.
Designed as a no-frills, budget-friendly trip that doesn’t skimp on fashionable conveniences, Ezzy is priced round NT$59,980 (round US $2,000). When you add within the authorities subsidies from its native Taiwan, that worth drops beneath NT$30,000 (round US $1,000). For Gogoro, that is the smartscooter distilled to its important core: sensible, related, and prepared for every day life.
The Ezzy appears like it’s attempting to construct on Gogoro’s success with its 2024 Jego launch, the corporate’s earlier forray into decrease value electrical scooters. The Jego was a large success and wound up leading to round 40% of the corporate’s gross sales. Now the Ezzy appears to maintain the great vibes rolling in a smooth, compact, and intuitive package deal.
The scooter includes a rounded, minimalist physique with a sturdy entrance panel and simple controls. Practicality is the guideline: a 68 cm (27 inch) lengthy seat, spacious footwell, and a 28 liter (7.4 gallon) under-seat storage compartment, which the corporate says is giant sufficient for 2 helmets – in the event that they’re a 3/4 and a half helmet. Put all of it collectively, and the options sound like they need to make the Ezzy excellent for city errands or weekend jaunts. Add in a built-in cupholder and flip-out footrests, and also you’ve bought a scooter designed to seamlessly slot into on a regular basis routines with one or two riders aboard.
The design is cute, nevertheless it’s below the panels the place Gogoro often tries to set itself aside. Ezzy is powered by a brand new hub motor able to speeds as much as 68 km/h (42 mph), excessive sufficient for metropolis site visitors whereas preserving upkeep low. The final time I used to be scootering round in Taipei, these speeds felt like a lot on the congested streets.
And whereas Gogoro’s scooters have lengthy been spectacular, a very powerful a part of the corporate’s choices isn’t even its rides, it’s how they’re powered. Ezzy integrates immediately into Gogoro’s famed battery-swapping community, which incorporates 1000’s of swap stations round Taiwan.
Riders can skip charging downtime by swapping depleted packs at GoStation kiosks, which frequently see lots of of 1000’s of battery swaps every single day.
Electrek’s Take
When it comes to efficiency, Ezzy strikes a stability. It’s not constructed for velocity demons, nevertheless it possible received’t lavatory down in site visitors both. It’s not overflowing with devices, but consists of considerate options that matter – cup holder, flip-out footrests, and room for 2 helmets. At round US $2,000 retail earlier than subsidies, it’s clearly geared toward broadening entry to sensible two-wheeling in dense cities. And because the combustion engine scooters nonetheless dominate cities in most nations, making electrical alternate options extra reasonably priced is a key a part of displacing these heavy polluters.
This feels much less like a standard launch and extra like a strategic pivot for Gogoro. Whereas the corporate’s premium Smartscooters – just like the sports activities car-inspired Pulse or high-performance SuperSport – are spectacular, they’re additionally spendy and area of interest. Ezzy, in contrast, appears like what Gogoro would possibly need each metropolis overpopulated by vehicles to embrace: a trendy, comfy, and economical electrical scooter that’s accessible to the plenty.
It’s nonetheless early days and Gogoro hasn’t confirmed availability past Taiwan, however enthusiasm for reasonably priced, swappable-battery electrical scooters is rising. If Ezzy finds even reasonable success in its preliminary market, it might pave the best way for Gogoro to develop its sensible ecosystem deeper into city facilities worldwide.
Briefly, Ezzy might not be a headline-grabbing efficiency machine, however that’s precisely the purpose. Typically progress occurs not with fireworks, however with sensible, considerate strikes that make electrical mobility extra attainable for everybody. And that’s an evolution price using together with.
