Segway and Engwe launch electric mopeds and e-bikes specifically for women
Female-focused electric scooters and e-bikes are coming, thanks to the launch of new women’s models from companies like Segway-owned Ninebot and Engwe, among others. Two of the latest entrants into the female micromobility market include the Ninebot Q80C and the Engwe L20.
The Ninebot Q80C is an urban-oriented electric moped with a fairly long maximum range of 115 km (71 miles) in its lowest power mode.
The e-moped is limited to just 20 km/h (12 mph), in that mode, though the speed increases to 32 km/h (20 mph) and 45 km/h (28 mph) in its middle and highest power modes.
If the pastel colorway options weren’t a big enough tip-off that these models were designed for women, then the small size of the electric two-wheeler may help point to the fact that the scooter’s creator had female riders in mind, according to GizmoChina:
The Ninebot Q80C uses a riding posture configuration that is well suited for women, with a seat cushion height of 715 mm [28 inches]. It takes care of women of different heights, ensuring that their feet are firmly on the floor of the moped.
The Ninebot Q80C comes with a number of smart connectivity options for security, including phone unlocking, NFC card unlocking, and other “anti-theft” functions.
So far the Q80C is launching solely in Ninebot’s domestic market of China, where it is priced at 3,799 yuan (approximately US $550).
For international shoppers, the Engwe L20 is a female-marketed electric bike that also claims to offer a number of design features that were also created with women in mind.
With Engwe noting that its new L20 e-bike is launching in time for Mother’s Day, the company seems to take a page out of Ninebot’s playbook by leaning heavily on the accessible frame design and “fashionable” color options when calling this a woman’s electric bike.
As a company spokesperson explained:
From the Step-thru frame to the younger and more fashionable color choices, the ENGWE L20 caters to the needs of female riders everywhere. With its simpler controls, more comfortable seats, and plenty of loading space front and rear, this is the perfect e-bike to help ladies embrace the great outdoors.
The fat tire electric bike has a fairly low power motor of just 250W and a relatively low torque output of 50 Nm.
A maximum range of 140 km (87 miles) in its lowest power pedal assist mode is enabled by a 624 Wh removable battery mounted behind the seat.
The bike includes 20″ diameter tires and mag wheels to replace the spoked wheels commonly found on most electric bikes.
LED lighting, a full fender set, and front/rear racks are included as standard equipment. The L20 appears to be launching in Europe first, where it comes with a promotional price of €1,099 (approximately US $1,230).
Electrek’s Take
While some of these “e-bikes for women” that we’ve seen over the years largely come down to marketing magic or pink tax, my own better half has made me keenly aware of how important low seat height and step-through designs are for smaller women. My wife is fairly petite and she always struggles to ride bikes that I wouldn’t even consider to be that tall. Her favorite models are always relaxed, low saddle e-bikes that make her feel more stable as a shorter rider.
I can’t really speak to the colors or aesthetics, but if you’re going to make e-bikes for women, then sizing seems like a good place to start. My one wife isn’t exactly a large sample size, but my limited empirical data seems to agree with this direction chosen by Engwe and Ninebot.
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Volkswagen Group Africa has officially begun production of a modern electric farm tractor at its multifunctional facility in Gashora, Rwanda in a bid to advance modern, low-emission agricultural initiatives in Africa.
Part of a larger Rwandan initiative called the GenFarm Project, the new VW tractor is part of a “holistic ecosystem” of electrified farming machinery set to be used throughout rural Africa – where liquid fossil fuels are often just as difficult to come by as electricity. The goal is to provide machinery that’s both sustainable and reliable.
“We are growing our footprint in Africa and regard Rwanda as a key growth market. This project demonstrates our commitment to sustainable practices and highlights our ability to provide mobility solutions to the rural community in addition to the urban community currently serviced by our Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda business,” explains Martina Biene, Volkswagen Group Africa Chairperson and Managing Director. “The GenFarm Project fosters technological innovation and aligns with Volkswagen Group’s strategy to generate meaningful value for both society and the environment through sustainable mobility.”
The GenFarm project will eventually provide mobility services for transportation of goods and people. In June 2023, Volkswagen Group Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Rwanda to provide land for the establishment of the GenFarm Project.
The Volkswagen tractors’ electric motor produces 20 kW (about 27 hp), making it about the same size as the Solectrac product (which hasn’t worked out well in the US, it must be said). That motor gets its electrons from a 32 kWh swappable battery. Batteries are swapped/charged at the Empowerment Hub to minimize downtime. DC fast charging isn’t available, but the relatively small, swappable batteries (hopefully) mean that’s not much of a problem.
The GenFarm project hopes the new VW electric tractor will help clean up Rwanda’s agricultural sector, which currently accounts for some 25% of the national Gross Domestic Product.
Electrek’s Take
We’ve talked a lot about the lack of new farmers in America, but the problem is global – especially as western companies, and western ideas about consumerism, continue to spread. Products like this electric tractor from VW will make farming cleaner, quieter, and (hopefully) more attractive to young workers.
SOURCE | IMAGES: VW Group Africa.
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A new, all electric Peterbilt 579EV is in-service at Honda’s Lincoln, Alabama assembly plant, where it’s busy transporting newly-built Honda cars from the plant to a nearby railhead for shipment to dealers across the country.
Part of a pilot program between Honda, Alabama Power, and Virginia Transportation Corp., the new electric semi truck will help stakeholders gather data about the practicality and performance of the battery-powered Pete and use it to generate case studies for broader electrification initiatives. Other supporters of the pilot project include the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition and, of course, Peterbilt.
“We remain committed to delivering for our customers and the environment,” offered Leo Doire, owner and CEO of Virginia Transportation Corp. “Our new Peterbilt 579EV model will be tested to determine how well it performs against the high productivity demands of our operations. The partners we have at the table will help us maximize this opportunity and prepare to scale up if we get the results we are hoping for.”
The truck itself has been spec’ed to be perfect for the kind of short haul and drayage applications Honda has in mind. This particular Peterbilt 579EV is fitted with PACCAR’s 400 kWh battery and a 670 hp electric motor good for an impressive 2,050 lb-ft of peak torque at 0 rpm.
The truck offers 150 miles of operating range and can be charged in about 3 hours on a 120 kW charger installed specifically for that purpose. A charger, it should be noted, that was partially paid for by Alabama Power.
“Alabama Power’s ‘Make Ready’ program provides businesses with valuable rebates to help reduce the upfront costs of installing EV infrastructure,” says Alabama Power Electric Transportation Manager Hasin Gandhakwala. “We are committed to partnering with customers who are exploring state and federal grant opportunities. Alabama Power is dedicated to advancing EV technologies to better serve the needs of our customers.”
The electric semi is a continuation of a decarbonization project Honda initiated in 2011, when the company recruited Virginia Transport Corp. to help find ways to reduce emissions at its Alabama facilities. VTC’s efforts have led to changes that displaced more than 475,000 gallons of diesel in 2023 alone.
Electrek’s Take
With the big Pete’s 82,000 lb. GVWR and 150 miles of range between charging sessions, it seems like these guys will be making a lot of back-and-forth runs between the Honda plant and the CSX terminal to me. Here’s hoping they see the benefits of electrifying the rest of their vehicle transport fleets somewhat sooner than later.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Alabama Power.
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On today’s episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got big solar breaking ground all over, despite the incoming administration’s supposed lack of love for home-grown clean energy. Our guests today walk us through home solar, energy storage, and more.
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Read more: Saldivar’s Trucking: first owner-operator to deploy Volvo VNR Electric semi.
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