Science Alarm
Blacksmith Electric unveils new 75 MPH Vespa-style electric scooter, takes pre-orders
Blacksmith Electric has added a new electric scooter model known as the B4 to its existing lineup of electric motorcycles and scooters.
The Chennai, India-based electric motorbike startup appears to have drawn heavily upon the design of their previous iteration, the B3. That scooter was in turn largely based on their stunning B2 electric cruiser motorcycle unveiled in the summer of 2019.
Those previous models were originally slated for release in 2020.
But as we know, 2020 had different plans for many electric vehicle startups. The COVID-19 pandemic derailed the short and mid-term strategic planning for Blacksmith, delaying the company's product releases.
But now Blacksmith says its ready to finally roll out vehicles in 2021 – and they're putting your money where their mouth is by taking pre-orders on the new B4 and its delivery version, the B4+. Refundable deposits are now being accepted.
The Blacksmith B4 incorporates a neo-retro design and is powered by a 5 kW electric motor capable of bursts of 14.5 kW.
The electric scooter can reach a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph), though can also be limited to as low as 60 km/h (37 mph).
In an odd move, Blacksmith hasn't released details on the actual capacity of the battery, only claiming that it should be sufficient for 120 km (75 miles) of range and can be recharged in four hours.
The B4 is designed to carry up to two riders and has a max load capacity of 200 kg (440 lb).
For those looking to replace a second rider with cargo, Blacksmith's new B4+ electric scooter variant adds a large cargo box to the rear of the scooter. The company is positioning the B4+ as a courier or delivery electric scooter.
The full price of the B4 hasn't been released, but the company's B2 electric motorcycles was projected to enter the market in the US $4,000-$5,000 range, so the B4 should likely fall below that level.
Two-wheeled vehicles lead the way in India, and the government is actively pushing to replace the millions of gas-powered motorbikes on the roads with cleaner electric models.
Blacksmith isn't the only Indian startup looking to break into the booming Indian electric motorbike market. In addition to several larger startups already delivering vehicles in the country, many other electric motorcycle companies are still in the race to production after revealing interesting prototypes.
Will the B4 ever make it past the rendering stage and onto the road? It's hard to say for sure at this point, but I sure am rooting for it! What do you think of Blacksmith's latest design? Let us know in the comment section below!
Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos and subscribe to the podcast.
This article was originally published by Electrek.co. Read the original article here.
Cryptocurrency market value surpasses $1 trillion for first time as bitcoin hits $37,700 record high
Ice bathes Pluto in a blue haze
ScienceCasts: Did Earth Have Two Moons?
New Report Sheds Light on America's Monopolized Energy Sector … And How We Can Fix It
Fighting deforestation should be a top priority for 2021, and here's how it can be
UK science advisers: publish evidence behind COVID vaccine changes
45th Space Wing forecasts more than 50 launches in 2021
How to use Signal, the private chatting app Elon Musk told people to try
What's in store for the future of commuting?
How COVID unlocked the power of RNA vaccines
Rice Plant Immunity: Study Shows Pathogens No Longer Threat to Farmers
Audi sells almost 50,000 e-tron electric SUVs in 2020
Nuclear & Coal Will Account for Majority of U.S. Generating Capacity Retirements in 2021
General Motors unveils EV van as part of new commercial business unit
NASA to upgrade space station solar arrays
3 Galaxies That Shouldn't Exist
Intelsat orders two satellites from Airbus
NOAA proposes future geostationary constellation with East, West and Center satellites
Fighting Ice With…Ice?
What Everyone Gets Wrong About Newton's Apple
How to Fortify Your (and Your Kids') Screen Time with a Dose of Physics
Allotropy: Why Winter Spells Trouble for the Tin Man
Art and the Elegant Universe
Copyright © 2021 by Science Alarm. All rights reserved. All articles, images, product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement unless specified. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.