Light motorcycle power put on a kick scooter? We try ZonDoo’s unreal ZO03

Published

2 years ago

March 17, 2023

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You want Sur Ron battery and power specs but on a $1,549 kick scooter with an optional seat that makes it look like a mobility scooter on steroids? We might just have the UL-certified vehicle for you…

The pitch went something like this:
ZonDoo: “Would you review our electric kick scooter?”
Me: “Don’t think so, there are hundreds out there. What makes yours unique?”
ZonDoo: “Ours is AWD, over 7.5 horsepower and goes highway speeds.”
Me: “[address/phone]”

Honestly, I’d never heard of ZonDoo before the inquiry, but it is a relatively established brand of Chinese scooters. Most of its products look like higher-end scooters you might have seen other brands selling as well.

But not the ZO03.

This foldable scooter with 11-inch pneumatic off-road tires is the scooter you’d design if you were immortal and safety wasn’t a concern.

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Let’s start with the drivetrain:

You’ve got not one, but two (!!) 2.8kW motors, one on each wheel for a total of 5.6kW or 7.5 horsepower from 60V 45A controllers. That means we’re talking about 10x a typical scooter/legal e-bike power limit in Canada and a little more or less in Europe and the US. It almost doesn’t even compute.

This thing is off-road capable with those big knobby tires, significant front and rear suspension, and AWD. It also sits about a foot off the ground.

That battery runs at 60V and contains 38Ah of 21700 cells for a total of 2.28kWh. The side of the battery says a little more and the specs page on ZonDoos site says slightly less, so let’s just go with that. That’s 6Ah bigger than a 60V Sur Ron battery, and it just might beat one off the line. Charge time is about six hours from dead with two separate chargers via charging ports on the right side of the pack/deck. ZonDoo says you will get over 60 miles of range, and that’s not hard to believe if you are riding at a normal speed.

However, this thing is not normal. It goes nearly 55 mph and, frankly, depending on aerodynamics can go beyond 62 mph (99 km/h). How do I know? It wasn’t from riding it that fast. Lifting both wheels off the ground and hitting full throttle got the bike up to 99 km/h in an instant.

One thing I do know is that if you hit the throttle at 10 mph, you can chirp both wheels. ZonDoo says you can go up 50% grades, and I’d confirm that if the only hill graded like that near me wasn’t full of ice and loose dirt. The tires lost grip before the torque of the wheels gave out.

Speaking of riding this thing, I’m not immortal and I have a wife and kids to provide for so I only took this thing up to about 35 mph before chickening out. Even with a full face helmet, riding on a mobility scooter seat was harrowing. One thing that gave me a lot of confidence is the Zoom hydraulic brakes, which were fantastic at stopping this monster in its tracks.

ZonDoo says this thing is rated for 440 lb., which is about double my size so I guess I could invite another me to ride on the back. Too bad I don’t have a conjoined twin. The question begs to be asked: What do you do with all of this power and capacity? My son said I should rig it to pull a boat.

ZonDoo ZO03 Extras – Lights! Everywhere!

Not only does this thing have two bright front LED headlights that light up the ground in front of you, but it also has RGB light bars on the side and bright red lights in the rear. The front lights are bright enough to play a game of night wiffle ball in front of it and also have a flashing mode for day riding that will alert others that you are coming. That’s hardly necessary however because both sides of the platform have blinking red green and blue lights.

I pulled into my neighbor’s driveway just after dusk and he thought the cops had shown up, coming outside with his hands up. Maybe a disco ball would lighten the mood?

Bonus: This thing has front and rear turn signals actuated by a button on the left thumb area. The only problem is they get drowned out by the other lighting on this thing. You can, of course, adjust what lighting you want based on your needs and applicable neighborhood decency regulations.

It also has a great folding mechanism, loud AF horn, keyed starter, voltage readout, strong kickstand, and rear mudflap – not that you should be riding this in any kind of bad weather.

It folds down pretty tight, and it easily fit in my Tesla Model 3 trunk all folded with 52″ x 26″ x 24″ dimensions.

A seat turns this into a different experience

I should mention that I rode with the optional seat, which is probably the lowest-quality part of this whole apparatus. But it also feels a little more stable when riding (vs. standing) and gives the feeling of connecting to the scooter in a more meaningful way than standing. I was hoping for a Vespa scooter type experience, but it was not to be.

I should be clear, the base of the seat pole was strong and secure. The seat post itself was less so – and with its extremely loose suspension and aluminum pipe, it felt unstable. My immediate gut reaction was to look around for a better bike seat. Probably one with a longer, stronger pipe without suspension because the ZO03 has cushy pneumatic tires coupled with great suspension already.

That said, I felt comfortable enough to hit the roads sitting on the seat, hitting about 35 miles per hour before chickening out.

The ZonGoo ZO03 Drive

To be clear, I have no idea if this thing is legal for street use anywhere (it isn’t). I can’t imagine it is in many jurisdictions in its full power mode anyway. Of course there are buttons to neuter the power and make it behave like a normal scooter. The sticker on the side of the ZonDoo says its top speed is 25 km/h so you can show the authorities that (then chirp out at triple that speed).

But that’s not fun and we live back in the woods, so I took this for about 20 miles of on- and off-road experimenting. It handled its business – mostly. It has three power levels (along with an eco/rear wheel drive buttons) ,and I can say that the second setting scared the crap out of me. It was easy to spin the tires, even when already rolling along at a good clip. You will throw yourself off the back without careful throttle manipulation. I tried level 3 but it just felt like I was trying to hard not to throw myself off of the scooter to be fun. I got used to 2.

The throttle itself is a finger throttle, and I think perhaps this could have used a twist throttle more like a motorcycle. It was tough but not impossible to operate both the brakes and the throttle with one hand, especially in cold weather.

We have a significant 800-ft. high hill not too far from us, and the ZonGoo rocketed up that thing faster than some Vespa-type scooters I’ve driven. I really can’t get over the power on this thing.

The downside was that seat post with also the folding, adjustable handlebars both felt a little wobbly, and with the short amount of time I’ve had with this, I just didn’t feel confident about turns. I almost always slowed down to about 20 mph before attempting anything more than a subtle turn.

Off road, you’ll want to ditch the seat post and keep your speed reasonable. It fares as well as you could hope motorized 11-inch wheels could do, and I could easily see a 10-mile commute on a dirt road with this thing. Bend those knees!

Electrek’s Take:

Or… okay, what’s the point of this thing? It is more than double the power that anyone should have on an electric kick scooter. But if you want relatively unlimited power and off-road capability and the ability to beat cars off the line, look no further. With its huge 2.25kWh battery, you can go weeks without charging this thing (ZonDoo recommends charging it weekly). And the sticker on the side says 25 km/h, with metric system alone enough to throw off most cops.

ZonDoo’s ZO03 is a ton of fun. You will have the most powerful scooter on the block (and likely in the state), and if you are careful, you can probably avoid serious injury. $1,549 at Amazon.

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Environment

Kia’s EV9 can power your home and save you on energy costs: Watch how easy it is [Video]

Published

5 hours ago

March 6, 2025

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Kia's EV9 can power your home and save you on energy costs: Watch how easy it is [Video]

The Kia EV9 is already an impressive electric SUV with its bold design, spacious cabin, and smart technology. Now it’s unlocking another new feature. With the new Wallbox Quasar 2 home charger, Kia EV9 owners can power their homes for up to three days and even save on energy costs. Watch how easy it is to use in the demo below.

Kia EV9 can now power your home with V2H

Wallbox opened orders for its new bi-directional charger, the Quasar 2, for Kia EV9 owners this week. The Quasar 2 is the first home charger that works with the electric SUV to unlock its Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) capabilities.

EV9 owners can use their vehicle as a power source during power outages. You’ll need the Quasar 2 charger and Wallbox Power Recovery Unit, which can provide backup power for up to three days.

The Quasar 2 starts at $6,440, including the Power Recovery Unit, not including taxes and installation fees. EV9 owners can sign up for the waitlist here with a $100 deposit.

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Pre-orders will initially be limited to residents of California, Texas, Florida, New York, Washington, New Jersey, and Illinois, but the company plans a nationwide rollout. Once the units are available, pre-order customers will have first access, with shipping to follow soon after.

According to Wallbox, the Quasar 2 and Power Recovery Unit can save you up to $1,500 per year on energy costs.

As an all-in-one solution, the unit enables you to charge your EV with solar energy (solar panels are sold separately) and store it in your vehicle’s battery. During peak hours, you can use the energy to power your home to save on energy costs. With pre-set scheduling, you can also automatically charge your EV9 when the rates are the lowest.

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Kia EV9 uses the Wallbox Quasar 2 to charge home devices (Source: Wallbox)

All of this can be easily utilized on the Wallbox App, allowing you to switch between grid/solar to vehicle and vehicle-to-home.

To demonstrate how easy it is to use, Wallbox put together a video showing the Kia EV9 using the Quasar to power several home devices.

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Environment

Honda’s new S7 electric SUV is surprisingly stylish and affordable, but you can’t have it

Published

6 hours ago

March 6, 2025

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Honda's new S7 electric SUV is surprisingly stylish and affordable, but you can't have it

Honda officially launched its new electric SUV, the S7, in China. As its first high-end electric SUV, Honda says the S7 will set new benchmarks with over 400 miles (650 km) of driving range, first-class comfort, and a stylish new design. The S7 will compete with the Tesla Model Y and other premium electric SUVs in China, starting at about $36,000.

Meet the Honda S7 electric SUV

Honda’s joint venture in China, Dongfeng-Honda claimed “the surge is about to break out” after teasing the S7’s new styling last month. On Thursday, the company officially launched its new electric SUV.

The S7 will be key to Honda’s comeback in the world’s largest EV market. Honda’s new electric SUV is now available starting at 259,900 yuan (about $36,000).

In terms of size, at 4,750 mm long, 1,930 mm wide, and 1,625 mm tall, the S7 is about the same size as the Tesla Model Y (4,797 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, 1,624 mm tall).

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Honda designed the SUV from the ground up for buyers in China, claiming it offers better driving, more fun, and more style. The electric SUV wears Honda’s new “H Mark,” exclusive for its next-gen EV lineup. Other design elements include a light-up H logo up front, a foot-sensing electric tailgate, and retractable door handles.

Inside, the S7 is Honda’s first with a dimming panoramic sunroof. With a 2,930 mm wheelbase, it has a spacious interior with up to 860 mm of second-row legroom.

Several premium features include a 3-spoke multi-function leather steering wheel, streaming media rearview mirror, a fragrance system, and BOSE sound system.

Loaded with the latest software and connectivity tech, the S7 has “Honda’s most powerful smart cockpit” with split 12.8″ and 10.25″ smart infotainment screen and 9.9″ instrument display.

Honda Connect 4.0 provides an AI Voice Assistant, multi-screen linking, and continuous improvement with AI. Meanwhile, Honda Sensing 360+ includes ADAS features like active cruise control, pre-collision warning, lane keeping assist, parking assist, and a 360-degree panoramic imaging system.

It’s available in both single-motor (RWD) and dual-motor (AWD) options. The RWD variant includes a 268 hp (200 kW) electric motor and an 89.8 kWh NMC battery pack, good for a 650 km (404 miles) CLTC range.

With an added front motor, the AWD S7 packs up to 469 hp (350 kW) and is rated with 620 km (385 miles) CLTC driving range.

In comparison, the new Tesla Model Y RWD first edition starts at 263,500 yuan ($36,200), with a CLTC range of up to 593 km (368 miles). The Long-Range AWD model, with a CLTC range of up to 719 km (447 miles), starts at 303,500 yuan ($42,000).

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Environment

Segway’s new flagship Ninebot MAX G3 opens for preorder at $500 off, Jackery Spring Sale takes 50% off units, Samsung, more

Published

8 hours ago

March 6, 2025

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Segway's new flagship Ninebot MAX G3 opens for preorder at 0 off, Jackery Spring Sale takes 50% off units, Samsung, more

Leading today’s Green Deals is the $500 off pre-sale promotion on Segway’s new Ninebot MAX G3 eKickScooter that comes with a bunch of upgraded features like Apple Find My, autonomous locking/unlocking, and more – all at $900 through March 24. We also have Jackery’s Spring Sale in full swing with 50% off discounts on its power stations and solar generators (and bonus savings), one of which is the Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station bundled with two 200W solar panels at a new $1,994 low. Lastly, we have Samsung’s Bespoke AI Laundry Combo All-in-One Washer and Ventless Heat Pump Dryer coming with a bunch of additional savings at $2,199. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Anker SOLIX weekend flash sale offers, the Lectric XPedition 1.0 and XPeak 1.0 price cuts, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Segway’s new flagship Ninebot MAX G3 eKickScooter opens for preorder at $900

Segway has launched its pre-sale promotion on its new Ninebot MAX G3 eKickScooter at $899.99 shipped through March 24. Carrying a normal price tag of $1,400, this is the very first chance to grab some cash savings on this all-new model before it officially releases on March 25. You’ll be getting a 36% markdown while this promotion continues, saving you $500 off the going rate and setting the bar for future discounts down the road. Head below to learn more about this new e-scooter and its features.

Segway’s Ninebot Max G3 e-scooter arrives as the latest version of its flagship eKickScooter lineup, sporting an 800W motor that peaks at 2,000W to provide increased top speeds of 28 MPH while also tackling up to 30% inclines. With its Boost Mode activated, you’ll even have acceleration up to 15.5 MPH in just 2.4 seconds. The 597Wh battery delivers a travel range up to 50 miles on a single 3.5-hour charge, courtesy of its built-in fast charger, with the timeframe dropped to 2.5 hours after connecting a DC charger cable simultaneously.

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There’s a bunch of upgraded features on Segway’s Ninebot MAX G3, like the Stability Enhancement System for improved handling, disturbance resistance and slip resistance – even at high speeds. There’s also the inclusion of Apple Find My through its companion app to detect and find your scooter whenever needed, as well as extra security in the form of autonomous locking and unlocking via Bluetooth, with the distance it does so being adjustable to your preferences. You’ll also find it coming with dual suspension, 11-inch self-sealing tires, an automatic 6W headlight, an underglow lighting system, and a 2.4-inch smart TFT display that offers the usual at-a-glance riding data alongside navigation, caller ID and smart charge management.

You can also browse through Segway’s current sale offers while the savings are still around, which has the Apple Find My-capable Ninebot E2 Pro eKickScooter down at $500, among others.

Jackery Spring Sale drops Explorer 3000 Pro solar generator with two 200W panels to new $1,994 low

We’re almost out of winter, which means Jackery has launched a Spring Sale through March 12 with up to 50% taken off a selection of power stations, solar generator bundles, and accessories – plus, there’s even an extra 5% in savings too. One notable inclusion that is hitting the best rate we’ve seen to date, is the Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station that comes bundled with two 200W solar panels for $1,994.05 shipped, after using the promo code EXTRA5 at checkout. This package would normally cost $3,999, with discounts usually keeping things between $2,199 and $2,799, though we’re seeing it start at $2,099 here, which gets all the better with the extra savings. Having gone as low as $1,999 during Black Friday, today’s deal pushes that rate aside while saving you $2,005 – landing things at a new all-time low and beating out Amazon’s current pricing by a huge margin.

A great option for folks who want one of the more versatile (and larger) power stations for camping, home backup, and RV support, Jackery’s Explorer 3000 Pro provides a solid 3,024Wh capacity for starters. It can dish out plenty of juice for your devices and appliances, with its output reaching 3,000W normally while surging upwards to 6,000W. Among its 10 port options, you’ll find an RV-dedicated TT30 port, making this one of the brand’s best models for motor home living. Recharging its own battery takes just 2.4 hours when plugged into a standard outlet, or you can hook up its full 1,200W of solar input to hit 100% in three to four hours (time increased for the included 400W input here). There’s also the third option of connecting it to your car, which will get it back to full in about 35 hours.

***Note: The extra 5% off coupon has not been factored into the prices below – be sure to use the code EXTRA5 at checkout for the maximum savings!

Deals for your home backup needs:

Explorer 2000 Plus (4,085.6Wh) with two 200W panels and extra battery: $2,799 (Reg. $4,999)
Explorer 5000 Plus (5,040Wh): $2,999 (Reg. $3,499) | matches at Amazon
- can be expanded to 60kWh with additional equipment
Explorer 2000 Plus (6,128.4Wh) with two 200W panels and two extra batteries: $3,299 (Reg. $6,599)
Explorer 5000 Plus (5,040Wh) with two 500W panels: $4,099 (Reg. $4,999)
Explorer 5000 Plus (5,040Wh) with two 500W panels and smart transfer switch: $4,999 (Reg. $5,999)

Deals for your garden & DIY work:

Deals for your short travel needs:

Accessory deals:

You can browse the entire lineup of Jackery’s Spring Sale on the landing page here through March 12.

Samsung Bespoke AI Laundry Combo washer and dryer

Samsung’s Bespoke all-in-one AI Laundry Combo with bonus $100 credit is down at $2,199 ($3,622 value)

As part of the Discover Samsung sale that is running through March 9, you can score the brand’s Bespoke AI Laundry Combo All-in-One 5.3 cubic-foot Washer and Ventless Heat Pump Dryer at $2,199 shipped, with bonus savings (more below). This 2-in-1 unit normally fetches $3,324 at full price, which we’ve seen go as low as $1,899 direct from Samsung during Black Friday and $1,700 from Best Buy (though this rate hasn’t reappeared since). You’re looking at the fourth-lowest price overall and the third-lowest we’ve tracked direct from the brand, also coming along with a $100 credit for future purchases during this sale. You can also save a bit more by going with the open-box option in excellent condition on the same page for $1,759. While Best Buy is currently offering it at a $1 higher price, those of you with a Total Membership will also be benefitting from an additional $100 discount when purchasing from the outlet.

Before I go into the washer/dryer itself, I wanted to just point out some of the other bonus savings options. First off, there is the usual free installation (normally $25) alongside the three-year Samsung Care+ plan for just $1 (normally $199). Second, you can get up to $500 off in instant credits by trading in a phone or tablet. Lastly, you can exclusive savings if you are a teacher, first responder, government official, or part of the military (check drop-down menu on the page.

Samsung’s Bespoke AI Laundry Combo comes ENERGY STAR-certified with AI supporting you through settings management and also increasing its energy efficiency by identifying and adjusting settings based on the different fabrics you place inside and how soiled they are. The AI also pairs with the dual-inverter heat pump, calculating and estimating your electricity costs to “reduce energy usage by up to 19%.” There’s also the ventless design, which allows you to place it virtually anywhere, no longer needing to be next to a dedicate exhaust vent.

The detergent tank here sports a much larger capacity, holding up to 47 loads worth of detergent so you don’t have to regularly worry about filling and refilling in between laundry loads – plus, it also has a Flex One compartment that takes that convenience to the next level as it can be split between 25 loads of detergent and 34 loads of softener. It’s also been given self-cleaning and self-drying tech to keep laundry coming out fresh, smart controls via the SmartThings app (as well as hands-free voice controls), the EPA’s seal of approval, and much more.

You can check out all that the Discover Samsung sale is offering – including daily deals – on the main landing page here.

Best New Year EV deals!

Lectric ONE Long-Range e-bike with $467 bundle: $2,399 (Reg. $2,507)
Lectric XPedition 2.0 35Ah Cargo e-bike w/ $654 bundle: $1,999 (Reg. $2,741)
Lectric XPedition 2.0 26Ah Cargo e-bike w/ $762 bundle: $1,799 (Reg. $2,561)
Lectric XPeak 2.0 Long-Range Off-Road e-bike w/ $562 bundle: $1,699 (Reg. $2,261)
Rad Power RadRunner 3 Plus Utility e-bike (new low): $1,699 (Reg. $2,199)
Aventon Level 2 Step-Over Commuter e-bike: $1,599 (Reg. $1,899)
Aventon Level 2 Step-Through Commuter e-bike: $1,599 (Reg. $1,899)
Aventon Pace 500.3 Step-Over e-bike with free extra battery: $1,599 (Reg. $1,799)
Aventon Pace 500.3 Step-Through e-bike with free extra battery: $1,599 (Reg. $1,799)
Heybike ALPHA All-Terrain e-bike (new model): $1,599 (Reg. $1,699)
Tenways CGO600 Pro belt-drive e-bike with $118 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
Rad Power RadCity 5 Plus Commuter e-bike with free extra battery: $1,499 (Reg. $1,699)
Rad Power RadTrike Electric Tricycle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,699)
Rad Power RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,799)
Velotric 2024 Nomad 1 Plus All-Terrain e-bike with $134 bundle: $1,399 (Reg. $1,799)
Lectric XPeak 2.0 Standard Off-Road e-bike with $316 bundle: $1,399 (Reg. $1,715)
Lectric XPeak 1.0 Step-Thru e-bike with $727 bundle (extra battery): $1,399 (Reg. $2,126)
Lectric XPedition 2.0 13Ah Cargo e-bike with $326 bundle: $1,399 (Reg. $1,813)
Lectric XPedition 1.0 Dual Battery Cargo e-bike with $455 bundle (new low): $1,399 (Reg. $2,154)
Tenways CGO600 Pro chain-drive e-bike with $118 bundle (new low): $1,299 (Reg. $1,899)
Rad Power RadRunner Plus Utility e-bike (new low): $1,299 (Reg. $1,799)
Rad Power RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike: $1,299 (Reg. $1,599)
Velotric T1 ST Plus Lightweight e-bike with $120 bundle: $1,299 (Reg. $1,549)
Velotric Discover 1 Plus Step-Thru Commuter e-bike with $120 bundle: $1,199 (Reg. $1,599)
Lectric XP 3.0 Long-Range e-bikes with $514 bundle: $1,139 (Reg. $1,653)
Heybike Hauler Cargo e-bike with large rear basket (new low): $1,199 (Reg. $1,499)
Lectric XPeak 1.0 Off-Road e-bike with $227 bundle (new low): $1,099 (Reg. $1,626)
Lectric XPedition 1.0 Single-Battery Cargo e-bike with $336 bundle (new low): $1,099 (Reg. $1,735)
Rad Power RadRunner 2 Utility e-bike (new low): $999 (Reg. $1,499)
Aventon Soltera.2 Urban Commuter e-bike: $999 (Reg. $1,199)
Lectric XP 3.0 Standard e-bikes with $454 bundle: $999 (Reg. $1,453)
Segway Ninebot MAX G3 eKickScooter (preorder): $900 (Reg. $1,400)

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.