Guiltily, I ride a petrol scooter, or ‘rode’ I should say. Because nowadays I have nothing to be ashamed of and I cross Amsterdam soundlessly and without exhaust fumes on an electric scooter from NIU. I doubted for a long time whether I was ready to say goodbye to my trusty petrol scooter, but the climate embarrassment at the traffic lights was too much. How does an electric scooter from NIU ride?
Switching to an electric scooter
At cooperation with NIU
If you want to live more sustainably, one day the topic of transport comes up. I find this a tricky topic because my climate gap here is huge. Of course, I know my petrol scooter is not sustainable, but the convenience is so nice. And so I put off thinking about an alternative. Actually, in my case, there were only two options: get rid of the scooter or switch to an electric scooter. It became the latter option, because I cannot say goodbye to the convenience of a scooter in the city (yet).
Classic climate splits
I live in a village next to Amsterdam. On the scooter, I feel safe in the dark among the deserted meadows and within fifteen minutes I am already tapping the ring road of the city. I can park without charge and, besides, the leg cover and windshield keep me warm and dry. You can't say that about a bicycle. And of course I also have a bike, but it can't replace the scooter for me (yet). And so I started investigating how I can replace my beloved petrol scooter, a Sym Mio, more sustainably. My answer is an e-scooter from NIU, which I seem to get along just fine with my short height (165 centimetres).
Criteria for e-scooter
In collaboration with NIU, I get to choose a scooter in the NIU Flagship store in Amsterdam Zuid. There are multiple models and colours, something for every lifestyle. For me, it is important that:
- I have a small and compact scooter, but which you can sit two people on properly, as the scooter also likes to be used for dinners in town;
- the battery has a good range; i.e. it should be possible to reach the other side of Amsterdam and return home on one full battery;
- the scooter is easy to use;
- I can reach the ground with my feet. In the world of petrol scooters, there is only one scooter that I fit well on with my height (165 centimetres) and that is the Sym Mio. With NIU, I don't have to worry about that last point: being a Chinese brand, even the biggest models still have a fine seat height for smaller people.
The choice fell on this electric scooter NIU NQi Sport
My choice was a matte black NIU NQ1 Sport, finished with sporty red details. This scooter has an 1800-watt hub motor (hub motor) from the Bosch brand and a Panasonic Lithium-ION battery. The scooter comes with an app that provides you with information such as location, battery status and range. This model has NIU's best battery of the moment (2022) with an estimated range of between 55 and 77 kilometres. I can tap the edges of Amsterdam with that I think. Thomas La Vecchia of the NIU flagship store: ‘The battery is at the lowest point, which gives the NIU NQi Sport optimal weight distribution and very good driving characteristics. And very handy: the space under the saddle has enough room for a helmet.’
My scooter has a yellow licence plate and therefore goes 45 kilometres per hour. This scooter is not cheap: the list price is over €3,600 including accessories such as a leg cover, windscreen and phone holder.
What's different about an electric scooter?
I have to admit: the first time I rode off on the scooter I found it quite exciting for a while. But I picked it up pretty quickly for me. What's different about riding an electric scooter? Here's what you need to know about it!
Riding an e-scooter
- Let me start with the most striking thing: no turmoil from the engine noise, what a peace and quiet on your mind.
- Riding an e-scooter is sustainable: no CO2 emissions while riding and I charge the battery at home with energy generated from my solar panels.
- Weather or no weather: an electric motor will always start regardless of freezing temperatures. To start the scooter, first plug the battery into the scooter and then start the scooter with a key as you are used to.
- Most of all, I have to get used to braking and acceleration: I find an e-scooter more sensitive. You come to a stop sooner when you brake. And when you accelerate, you also accelerate faster. Keep a good grip on the driver when you're on the back!
- No petrol gauge, but a battery with luminous dots and an app that shows you how far you can still drive.
- The scooter has three modes. The first mode is the slowest and the third mode is the fastest. I ride in the second or third setting by default. You can control this with a button near your handlebar.
- It is advisable to lubricate the plug of your battery with petroleum jelly every two months to prevent erosion.
- Fewer service intervals and therefore lower maintenance costs.
The battery
The battery weighs 11 kilos and is the most precious thing about the scooter. It is important to handle it with care.
- It is best to never let the battery run down completely, but the scooter and/or the app will let you know in good time.
- It is wise to disconnect the battery from the scooter when not using the scooter for a while.
- Since batteries don't like the cold, I keep my battery in a safe place indoors in winter.
- Leave the battery charged regularly, but again, don't leave it plugged in for too long.
- Make sure the charger is free during charging, the charger may get hot.
- A battery is charged in eight hours on average, but it can also be seen by LED lights on top of the battery.
- In addition, it is also possible for a lithium battery to be partially recharged in the interim, then its use makes it flexible.
All in all, I think the switch from petrol driving to electric driving is immensely better than expected. I mainly see the advantages of driving silently without CO2 emissions. Of course it takes some getting used to, because it drives a little differently and the battery requires some extra care, but you get used to it quickly. I won't miss the stops at the pump.
Electric driving is the future
I can therefore recommend this greener choice to everyone. To stop global warming, it is important to reduce our CO2 emissions by 95% before 2050. Electric driving is the future! And to be completely independent of fossil fuels in the future, we need to switch en masse to electric transport now, provided your financial situation allows it of course. This fun collaboration with NIU has allowed me to accelerate this step.
Also want to try an electric scooter from NIU?
So should you want to try an e-scooter from NIU in an approachable way, you can do so nicely during a city trip. Because in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague, you have a popular scooter sharing project Felyx. These are also all NIU scooters. Of course, you are also welcome to take a test ride with Thomas in Amsterdam. He will be happy to tell you more about electric driving and the various models. Book a test drive?
NIU NQ1 Sport.
Meet sustainable tips from thegreenlist.nl
- Sustainable travel outside the Netherlands: train hotspots and tips.
- Tips to reduce your gas consumption: good for the earth and your wallet.
- Do you still drive a sedan car or a petrol scooter? You can offset the CO2 emissions from your driving. We are happy to help you on your way.
Photo credits: thegreenlist.nl.
