8 September 2021 - The Piaggio Group once again demonstrates that it is on the cutting edge of developing smart solutions for urban mobility, launching the new Piaggio 1, a vehicle that revolutionises the e-scooter concept. Piaggio 1 combines the winning features of the most modern e-scooter - agility and light weight for urban commuting combined with minimalism and practicality - with the quality and reliability of Piaggio scooters.
First and foremost, this means safety, thanks to a solid frame and suspension designed for riding pleasure, but also an attractive design with attention to even the smallest details, comfort, and high-level rideability, as well as a full technological package that includes digital colour instrumentation, full LED lighting, and a keyless system.
Piaggio 1 is also the only e-scooter in its category with a spacious under-seat storage compartment, large enough to hold a full jet helmet.
Piaggio 1 is powered by an electric motor built into the rear wheel: the moped version, with speed limited to 45 km/h, puts out 1.2 kW of power, whereas the electro-bike version mounts a 2 kW unit.
In all versions, the battery is located beneath the seat, easily removable in just a few seconds and portable so it can be conveniently charged at home or in the office.
There are, therefore, three Piaggio 1 versions available, with two different types of batteries:
PIAGGIO 1.
Speed of 45 km/h, range of up to 55 km in ECO*,
up to 48 km in SPORT (WMTC cycle)
PIAGGIO 1+.
Speed of 45 km/h, range of up to 100 km in ECO*,
up to 68 km in SPORT (WMTC cycle)
PIAGGIO 1 ACTIVE.
Speed of 60 km/h, range of up to 85 km in ECO*,
up to 66 km in SPORT (WMTC cycle)
*The declared data has been obtained through test riding at constant speed (“wide open throttle”) and may be affected by different vehicle load, ambient temperature, wind speed, road condition and vehicle use conditions. Battery capacity may deteriorate by as much as 20% due to various factors including the number of charging cycles and how the battery is used.
DESIGN: RATIONAL, BUT NOT BORING. The original design of Piaggio 1 embraces the minimalism dictated by urban electric mobility, but without sacrificing the unmistakable style, quality of materials, and the assembly that characterise Piaggio scooters. The front shield is simultaneously compact and protective, and it includes the classic "neck-tie" on the top part that elegantly distinguishes Piaggio vehicles. The LED lights stand out at the sides with a design that recalls the clean and arched lines of the vehicle's side view, providing an overall lightweight and dynamic image. The rear, sleek and slender, terminates in the thin rear light cluster, also LED.
The overall quality can be seen not only in the characteristics of the materials and the precision assembly, but also in the attention to detail, such as the particular three-dimensional hexagonal pattern inspired by the Piaggio logo that animates the surfaces of the front shield and side panels, and the double seat covering, characterised on the sides by a new portion with glossy finish.
Great attention was placed on ergonomics: despite its compact size, the seat-footrest-handlebar triangle follows the exact same proportions as the traditional scooters in the Piaggio range. These measurements translate into a comfortable riding position, thanks in part to the flat and spacious footrest, whereas the passenger uses practical and sturdy fold-away footpegs.
The handlebar enhances the rationality of the design: free of any bulky plastic, at the centre it mounts a large 5.5”digital colour LCD display, always perfectly visible thanks to the twilight sensor that adapts the background and font colour based on the detected light (day/night mode).
The information is displayed on a graphic screen that is simple and easy to read, but with a high aesthetic impact: in the central part, the speed indicator is surrounded by the energy level (used or recovered while riding), the battery charge level, and the remaining range in km, as well as all the trip information that can be selected using the MODE button located both on the instrument panel and on the left-hand control block: instantaneous and average energy consumption, trip time, total and partial odometer (Trip A and B). The lower part of the display, on the other hand, shows the riding mode, which can be selected using the specific MAP button on the right-hand control block.
ON THE ROAD: MOVING AROUND HAS NEVER BEEN SO EASY. Piaggio 1 is, first and foremost, a user-friendly vehicle that aims to improve and simplify daily urban commuting, an attitude that can be perceived, not only in the ride, but in any operation, beginning from switching it on. Thanks to the keyless system, Piaggio 1 does not need a traditional key and it can be started using the remote control and operating a practical handle, which replaces the classic ignition switch: to start the vehicle, simply press the unlock button on the remote control (an audible signal will confirm the operation and the luminous ring on the hand grip will light up) and move the hand grip to the ON position.
To start, simple press the MAP button on the right side of the handlebar (holding in the brake lever) and select one of the two available riding modes: ECO and Sport (in addition to Reverse mode, which can only be selected with the vehicle stopped in order to facilitate manoeuvring Piaggio 1 in tight spaces). ECO mode, intended to save energy, extends battery life; speed is limited to 30 km/h and acceleration is more gradual. Sport, on the other hand, is the basic riding mode which exploits the full power of the motor.
MAXIMUM PRACTICALITY: THE BATTERY IS REMOVABLE AND DOES NOT TAKE ANY SPACE AWAY FROM THE UNDER-SET STORAGE COMPARTMENT.
Piaggio 1 was also designed with the goal of making battery charging operations as easy as possible: this means that range will never be a problem in the home-work commute or in any type of urban travel environment. In all the versions, the battery can be removed in just a few seconds, disconnecting the cable that connects it to the vehicle; featuring a handle, it can easily be transported for convenient charging at home, in the office or anywhere you may be.
The 1 version is equipped with a 1.4 kWh battery that weighs 10 Kg, whereas the 1+ and 1 Active versions use a higher capacity 2.3 kWh battery that weighs 15 Kg.
Charging could not be any simpler: the lithium-ion battery, just like the one in modern smartphones, is maintenance free and needs no special precautions. To recharge it, simply connect it to the charger that comes with the vehicle.
The standard time required for a full charge is 6 hours (with voltage of 220 V). The battery provides excellent efficiency for up to 800 full charging cycles. Even after the eight hundred charging cycles, the battery still maintains 70% of its capacity and is perfectly usable.
The battery is located in the under-seat compartment, but without compromising its functionality: therefore, Piaggio 1 is the only e-scooter in its category to offer a significant cargo capacity, with an under-seat storage compartment capable of holding a full jet helmet.
The seat opens with the ignition switch or, if the battery has been removed, with a special lock on the left side panel, the key to which is hidden in the remote control.
Other features that contribute to making Piaggio 1 a champion of functionality and usability in the city are the seat - comfortable and ergonomic and just 770 mm off the ground, in order to ensure that riders of any height will have no difficulty when they stop at a red light - and the practical bag hook and USB port with its waterproof rubber cover, located on the leg shield back plate.
TECNOLOGY. 1's electric motor, developed by Piaggio, is a hub type, in other words, built into the rear wheel hub: this is a choice that contributes to making the vehicle layout extremely simple and compact. The 1 and 1 + versions are equipped with an electric motor that puts out 1.2 kW of continuous power, whereas the power in the 1 Active version is 2 kW. These are values that allow performance to be achieved comparable to that of traditional 50 cc scooters, combined with the quick power output from a standstill typical of electric motors, consistently guaranteeing agile and pleasant city riding.
Thanks to its light weight, its modern lithium-ion battery and an efficient kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) that charges it during deceleration, all the Piaggio 1 versions guarantee outstanding range, reaching as high as 100 km in the 1 + version.
Piaggio 1 is an extremely lightweight vehicle (75 Kg without the battery, 79 Kg in the 1 Active version), without sacrificing a refined chassis architecture, adopting the same technical solutions as traditional Piaggio scooters: The frame, designed for performance and to withstand the stress of city use, is a high-resistance single steel tube with elements in pressed steel. The suspension system relies on a single-arm fork with coil spring and hydraulic shock absorber at the front, whereas the rear employs dual hydraulic shock absorbers, all to the advantage of riding comfort and safety.
Braking is powerful and modulated, ensured both at the front and the rear by a large 175 mm, hydraulically operated disc brake. The 1 Active version features combined CBS braking.
VERSIONS AND COLOURS. Piaggio 1 comes in dual range of colours: Forever Grey, Forever White and Forever Black are the three most sombre colour schemes which highlight the minimalist and clean design, whereas Sunshine Mix, Arctic Mix and Forest Mix are three two-tone liveries that enhance its youthful and fresh spirit. In the Mix colour schemes, the saddle has seating characterised by a grey covering that creates more of a contrast with the glossy black side inserts.
The colour schemes are available for all the versions. The 1 Active version stands out aesthetically from the other two with red decorations on the rear swingarm.
INFO: electric.piaggio.com/en