Hyundai’s scooter can be charged while stored in the vehicle.
Automakers offer all kinds of accessories tied to their vehicles, ranging from simple branded tool kits to full sets of luggage. However, Hyundai may have come up with the best one of all: An electric scooter.
While most folks think of scooters as fun, this one is similar to the Bird and Lime models that have become so prevalent in many urban areas.
Hyundai’s scooter has a 12-mile range and a top speed of just over 12 mph. It’s charged automatically by the vehicle it’s housed in. The rear-wheel drive model is powered by a lithium battery and even has a full suite of lights for riding at night.
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Meant to be an addition for “future vehicles,” the automaker sees this as part of its mobility efforts, specifically first- or last-mile mobility. Other automakers such as Ford, BMW and others also have scooters, but this is the first designed to fit in a vehicle. It folds down into sections and is lightweight – less than 17 pounds – so it is easy to carry.
Engineers are working on regenerative braking system for the scooter to extend its range by 7%. The idea is make sure you get to your final destination on a Hyundai.
“This is the vehicle-mounted personal scooter which could be featured in future Hyundai Motor Group vehicles,” said DongJin Hyun, head of Hyundai Motor Group Robotics Team.
The scooter can be ridden at night with a full suite of lights.
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“We want to make our customers’ lives as easy and enjoyable as possible. Our personal electric scooter makes first- and last-mile commuting a joy, while helping to reduce congestion and emissions in city centers.”
A scooter for a car seems little strange, but it’s not something the marketing folks suggested hoping to make a splash. The scooter was originally introduced in 2017 at the Consumer Electronics Show, but the company’s been tweaking it since then.
In addition to the aforementioned lights, it was initially a front-wheel drive scooter, but now it’s rear drive and the front wheel has suspension for a smoother ride. Enhancing its usability further, it features a digital display that shows battery status and speed, according to the automaker.
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