- Compact and cool new electric bike
- Fast-charged in 60 minutes for 60km range
- Motochimp will be priced from $2000
SINGAPORE, Malaysia – Here comes a compact new electric motorbike which, its designer says, will change urban mobility for ever. Let’s start with its dollar price – the equivalent (Nov 9 2016) of R26 800.
“The Motochimp is a two-wheeled, zero-emissions, machine that,” its maker says, “promises city folk a new perspective on transportation.”
The latest in monkey-bikes was launched at the November 2016 Shenzhen International Industrial Design Fair and created by Singaporean electrics experts Vanda Electrics.
ALUMINIUM CONSTRUCTION
The company says the scoot was designed to be eco-friendly – “the answer to traditional urban transport – cost-effective city mobility capable of being fast-charged from any regular AC power plug within an hour for a range of 60km”.
The main structure is extruded aluminum alloy and the scoot comes in red, blue or yellow. It’s just over a metre long, its wheelbase 750mm; it’s driven by a 48V 350W rear-hub electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery and can cruise at 30km/h.
The charging cable lives under the seat and to activate the motor the rider simply holds a digital ‘key’ over the bike’s transponder. Each has a unique digital ID code.
Vanda Electrics CEO Larissa Tan told The Corner in a media release: “Motochimp really celebrates urban mobility and the idea came from a sketch by a 10-year old girl.
“It’s new face of city transport – bold, edgy, fun.”
JAPAN FIRST, THEN ALL ASIA
The Motochimp will go on sale first in Japan, then reach the rest of Asia, the UK and Europe. And remember when they were called monkey-bikes?
Price: From US$2000 – or R26 800.
More information from the manufacturer’s website
Carman's Corner 