Torrot ’ s Muvi electric scooter makes clean , green , extremely economical commuting available to all .
Words : Peter Elliott / Photos : Geoff Osborne
The electric scooter is one of those things that seems like a really , really , good idea ; simple , easy to use , cheap to run , and efficient . Like the flying car . It ’ s a great concept , solves a lot of traffic worries , and is easily achievable , engineering-wise . And three things have to occur before being adopted in huge numbers . One , the technology has to reach the point where it is no longer a one-off , in other words , mass production is not far away and the standards are agreed to . Tick . Two , it has to be
affordable for the average person . Hmmm . And three , it has to offer some sort of fun or enjoyment in the mix . Because that ’ s where the desire comes from to make the other two points work . Big Tick . Now maybe the flying car is stretching the point because it ’ d sure as hell be fun , but traffic control in the air will be a freakin ’ nightmare ‘ til we get some definite rules in place . That would mean we couldn ’ t just go where we want , without air traffic control , air cops (!), and no hover , no fly zones , so why bother ? If you know what I mean ... NO FUN . So flying cars are out for the foreseeable . But electric scooters are here and they are heaps of fun . And the Torrot Muvi is a blast . You can rock along at the speed limit for about 65 kilometers , or you can zip around town in Eco mode for about 75 kilometers , on a full charge . You don ’ t ever put gas in these things . The Muvi looks like a proper scooter , because it is . There ’ s under seat storage for helmets and shopping etc , and inside that unit there are two large batteries which take about 2.5 hours to charge and give you plenty of distance for the day . I zapped into town for a meeting ( 9.2 ) kilometers , and then tootled home along the waterfront round the marinas and up the hills of Herne Bay towards home ( 12.8 ) kilometres for a total distance of 22km . I rode in Full mode because I ’ m a heavy bugger and the hills were steep in places . On arrival the speedo still said I had a range of 54 km – I suspect they err on the side of caution . The Muvi is very stylish in black and white , with tall , black mag wheels . Twist the throttle and forward motion is provided by a rubber notched belt drive whirring almost silently beneath you . The brakes are excellent , discs front and rear . Acceleration is
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