Popular scooter brand Vespa has added a new product to its lineup, the Vespa Elettrica, which was announced during the EICMA 2016 motorcycle show. As the name suggests, it is an electric variant of Vespa's classic scooters.
An Electric Vespa
The Piaggio Group, which makes the iconic Vespa scooters, did not explain why it is joining the electric bandwagon only at this point in the game. It has, however, maintained that it is now investing in the technology, which should please those who are impressed by Vespa's stylish design credentials but are concerned about its environmental footprint.
A look at the concept image released during the Elettrica launch revealed that the design language remains true to the Vespa tradition. Even the color scheme, which evokes a certain degree of futuristic vibe, is not a significant departure from the Vespa aesthetics. The shiny steel body, with its blue accents, is striking and a bit more aggressive, but similar color schemes can be found in Vespa's 70-year history.
"The Vespa Elettrica will, first and foremost, be a true Vespa, bringing the very latest in electric technology to a vehicle that will retain all the features that have been vital to its success," the Piaggio Group says. "The style, agility, ease of use and riding pleasure will be the same as the Vespa we have always known, with the addition of technological and innovative connectivity solutions."
Vespa Elettrica Specs, Price and Launch Details
At this point, the Piaggio Group has not revealed technical specifications or pricing details. Some speculate, however, that the Vespa Elettrica could be included in the brand's pricier category so it should cost $10,000 or thereabouts.
It is also not clear exactly when the bike will hit showrooms around the world, although Piaggio claims that the Vespa Elettrica will start hitting the streets sometime in the second half of 2017. These details are important to consumers because the electric motorcycle market has seen an increasing number of entrants.
A number of excellent prototypes, for example, have been seen at this year's CES event such as the Mahindra connected electric scooter. Honda is also reportedly working on a production model.
The looming launch of the Vespa Elettrica does not mean that fuel-powered scooters will eventually fade. To underscore this point, the electric bike was unveiled alongside conventional motorcycles like the Vespa RED and the Moto Guzzi V7III. It looks like they will also be around for some time, especially considering that electric charging facilities are still way underdeveloped around the world today. So far the company has not revealed any plans for a hybrid model.
