Xiaomi Ninebot C30 & ES1L scooters are for the ‘new normal’ world

The demand for Electric two-wheelers, be it e-bikes, e-scooters or even e-mopeds has shown a massive increase since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic. People prefer to stay away from crowded transport services, and city cars are out of reach for most. Xiaomi-backed Ninebot has launched two new electric two-wheelers that aim to bank on this opportunity in the Chinese and world market.

Ninebot C30

The Ninebot C30 joins the C-range of e-mopeds launched last year and stays loyal to the affordable and budget-friendly pricing strategy of the rest of the models. Ninebot is looking to expand into overseas markets with this ultra-affordable offering. 

The Ninebot C30 electric moped is priced at CNY 3,599 (INR 38,594) but was briefly launched in China with an introductory price of CNY 2,999 (INR 32,160). This makes it one of the most affordable e-mopeds in the segment. 

The C-series e-mopeds are designed to comply with China’s national standard for e-mopeds which explains why the range has a limited top speed of 25 km/h (15.5 mph). But this speed is more than necessary to wade through prime time traffic. With a range of 35 km (22 miles), it can serve as an ideal home-office-home commuter. Anything further, users can remove its 5.8 kg removable battery and charge it indoors. The Ninebot C30’s 400W motor pushes 40 Nm of torque. While it might not be very powerful on paper, the 55 kg gross weight of the scooter is light enough for the motor to perform well. All this speed eventually needs to be controlled and performing that task is a combination of hydraulic disc brake in the front wheel and a drum brake in the rear.

Ninebot ES1L

Ninebot ES1L front quarters

The Ninebot ES1L is an electric kickscooter that can be folded with a touch of a button. The feature allows users to carry it along after they reach their desired location. It weighs 11 kg, hence can be carried effortlessly. To achieve such low weight, Ninebot has constructed the ES1L’s chassis with aviation-grade aluminium alloy material. 8″ non-pneumatic tyres and front shock absorbers ensure the ride is compliant while an inbuilt LED headlight provides excellent visibility during darkness.

A powerful 500 W brushless motor performs the propulsion, drawing power from a 184 Wh battery. Ninebot claims the ES1L has a usage time of 3,000 hours and can achieve a top speed of 20 km/h. 

The ES1L has a range of 20 km and can climb elevations up to 10 degrees. Ninebot has also tested it for IPX6 waterproof certification. An inbuilt BMS security ensures users do not worry about losing their ES1L. The Ninebot ES1L is a solution for auxiliary purposes such as travelling from the parking lot to the workplace or a nearby store.

All this practicality comes at CNY 1,599, which converts to INR 17,147.

Images from detail.tmall.com & item.jd.com