Meet the best-selling electric scooter in the UK. Super Soco’s CPx was launched in late 2020 to a nation of nervous commuters, torn between being encouraged to return to the office but desperate to avoid public transport. In its first full year on sale, the CPx sold in such astonishing volumes it became one of the top 10 biggest-selling motorcycles of 2021.
The CPx recipe is pretty straightforward. A 6bhp motor sits inside the rear wheel, a huge weather-beating windscreen lives up front, and your choice of one or two 2.7kWh removable batteries sit under the seat (which, awkwardly, absorb any storage space). Stay under 30mph and it can last up to 80 miles with two batteries, or around half as far if you spend all your time at its 56mph top speed.
A single-battery CPx usually costs £3299, with the dual-battery version £3799. However, at time of writing (March 2024) Super Soco have dropped the dual-battery version to just £3199. Read our review of the Super Soco CPx here.
Power: 6bhp (maximum) / 5bhp (continuous)
Top speed: 56mph (claimed)
Weight: 125kg (single battery) / 143kg (dual battery)
Battery: 2.7kWh (single battery) / 5.4kWh (dual battery)
Licence: A1
Not heard of Yadea? In 2022 their annual sales topped 14 million bikes, making them the planet’s biggest electric two-wheeler brand. For a bit of context, that year Honda sold 17 million bikes – so, yes, they’re a serious player. The G5S is their biggest-selling model in the UK, and it’s easy to see why when it’s priced at less than £3000. It uses a 5bhp mid-mounted motor with a belt final drive, claims a 50mph top speed, and packs a pair of removable batteries holding nearly 3kWh between them. Yadea UK claim that’s enough for a range of 72 miles – though without having tested it, our chins feel rather itchy. We’d budget on more like 40-50 miles of commuting. Yadea also claim a featherweight 81kg, which we’ll presume is without the batteries fitted. Otherwise it features a steel tube frame, 7-inch LCD dash, simple suspension and linked disc brakes. Yadea have more than 30 dealers up and down the UK, with distribution via Exeter-based importers Lexmoto.
Power: 5bhp (maximum) / 4bhp (continuous)
Top speed: 50mph (claimed)
Weight: 81kg (claimed, without batteries)
Battery: 2.88kWh
Licence: A1
The Horwin EK3’s soft, curvy, slightly retro styling disguises some modern touches, including LED lights, keyless ignition, an LCD dash, cruise control, plus a USB charging port by your right knee. Its air-cooled motor is mid-mounted, driving the rear wheel via a chain. It can put out up to 8bhp, enough to silently sneak up to nearly 60mph. There’s a removable battery under the seat (though quite a big one, weighing around 17kg), holding enough energy to last 40 to 50 miles of steady urban trundling (or 20-25 miles of top-speed riding). When it’s flat, you’ll need around four hours to fully refill the battery using an offboard charger plugged into a standard household socket. Or, if you want, you can specify a twin-battery version of the EK3, doubling range, for an additional £1000. Right now (March 2024) importers Artisan Scooters are sweetening the deal with a free leg cover worth £129.
Power: 8bhp (maximum) / 5bhp (continuous)
Top speed: 59mph (claimed)
Weight: 109kg (single battery) / 126kg (dual battery)
Battery: 2.6kWh (single battery) / 5.2kWh (dual battery)
Licence: A1
The fastest model in the range of Chinese firm Niu (as in “New”) is this spilled tin of alphabet spaghetti: the MQi GT Evo. The 9bhp motor mounted in its rear wheel is quick enough to thrust the scoot on to 60mph (and perhaps even a bit beyond). Energy is stored in a pair of removable 1.87kWh batteries – smaller than many rivals, but also considerably lighter at just 11kg each. That’s worth bearing in mind if you plan on regularly removing the batteries to charge them indoors. A full recharge takes around 5 hours, and with both packs brimmed Niu claim a range of between 46 and 70 miles. The MQi GT Evo is normally priced at £3999, but right now (March 2024) Niu have dropped it to just £2999. Read our review of the Niu MQi GT Evo here.
Power: 9bhp (maximum) / 7bhp (continuous)
Top speed: 60mph (claimed)
Weight: 128kg
Battery: 3.7kWh
Licence: A1
The most expensive scooter on our list so far, and (not coincidentally) the first that isn’t built in China. Instead the S01 is made near Barcelona in Spain, where Silence have been steadily growing their electric scooter business since 2012. Its party piece is a trolley-style removable battery, which slides out sideways while sprouting a pair of wheels and a telescopic handle. This means you can wheel it round like a suitcase, rather than having to lift it out and lug it indoors. Good thing, given it weighs over 40kg. In fairness the battery does store an impressive 5.6kWh, enough to last 70-ish miles of commuting, or around 35 miles of faster riding. The unit also contains the charger, though its modest power means a full recharge takes 8 hours. The S01 is one of the faster A1 electric scooters thanks to a 12bhp hub-mounted motor, which drives with impressive force from a standing start and goes on to a claimed 62mph top speed. Silence also offer an S01+ model with a shade more performance and a higher chassis spec, though it’s £6195.
Power: 12bhp (maximum) / 9bhp (continuous)
Top speed: 62mph (claimed)
Weight: 150kg (est)
Battery: 5.6kWh
Licence: A1
Yes, the same Segway you’re thinking of – but no, this isn’t some daft self-balancing skateboard thing bought by Silicon Valley tech hippies. The E300SE might look fairly anonymous on the outside, but on specification and features this is one of the most complete offerings the electric scooter class has seen. For starters its 13bhp hub motor is remarkably potent, acceleration is startling, and that 65mph top speed claim is entirely accurate. The E300SE comes with safety aids lacking from most other A1-class electric scooters, including both ABS and traction control. Its pair of 2kWh removable batteries live beneath your feet, freeing up space under the seat for 34 litres of storage. WMTC-tested range is 53 miles, increasing to 60-70 if you stick to slow speeds in Eco mode, or falling to 30-40 miles if you ride faster. A full charge of both batteries takes around five hours. The Segway name might raise a chuckle, but given its performance, practicality and price their E300SE deserves to be taken very seriously.
Power: 13bhp (maximum) / 10bhp (continuous)
Top speed: 65mph (claimed)
Weight: 127kg (claimed)
Battery: 4.0.kWh
Licence: A1
The first electric two-wheeler from Honda to go on sale in Europe, the EM1 e: was launched last year as a battery-powered moped (50cc rather than 125cc) equivalent. That means a top speed of just 45kph (28mph), and a maximum power output from its hub-mounted motor of just 2bhp – yes, two. Fine if you’re 16 years old, or have a strictly inner-city commute, but not a lot to be getting on with beyond that. The upside is that because the motor can’t draw much power from the battery, the EM1 e: covers a claimed 25 miles from a fairly tiny 1.5kWh battery pack. So if energy efficiency and rock-bottom fuel costs are your thing, step this way. The downsides are that there’s no ABS, a full recharge takes six hours, and Honda are asking a frankly startling £4999. Ooof.
Power: 2.3bhp (maximum) / 0.8bhp (continuous)
Top speed: 28mph (claimed)
Weight: 95kg
Battery: 1.5kWh
Licence: AM
Launched in 2022, the NEO’s (don’t blame us for the greengrocer’s apostrophe – that’s how Yamaha spell it) is a moped-equivalent electric scooter. It comes with a single 1kWh battery claimed to be good for 23 miles. If you want to go further afield, you can add a second 8kg battery pack (an extra £1143), which extends range to 42 miles. The hub-mounted motor puts out 3bhp and, being an AM-licence machine, top speed is 27mph. If that sounds a bit heady there’s an ‘Eco’ riding mode which cuts top speed to 22mph and reduces power to 2bhp in a bid to maximise range. With one battery fitted there’s also 27 litres of underseat storage, which might be just enough to stash an open-face lid. Prices start at under £3000, considerably undercutting Honda’s EM1 e: Read our review of the Yamaha NEO’s here.
Power: 3.4bhp (maximum) / 3.1bhp (continuous)
Top speed: 27mph (claimed)
Weight: 98kg (single battery) / 106kg (dual battery)
Battery: 1kWh (single battery) / 2kWh (dual battery)
Licence: AM
Ironically, for a bike named simply “1”, Piaggio’s electric scooter comes in two versions. First there’s the standard moped-equivalent Piaggio 1, which has a 2bhp motor, a 1.4kWh battery and an AM-friendly 28mph top speed. There’s also the faster Piaggio 1 Active, which doubles power to 4bhp, ups battery capacity to 2kWh and raises top speed to 37mph. That puts the Active in a peculiar place: too fast to be legally classified as a moped; not really fast enough to keep up with other A1 scoots. With that in mind the regular “1” seems to make more sense to us, especially given its £2700 official price tag is currently cut to just £2250, or half the cost of its Honda rival. For that you get a claimed range of 27 miles, sporty styling, keyless ignition, colour LCD display and a fab-looking single-sided front end. Read our review of the Piaggio 1 Active here.
Power: 1.8bhp (maximum) / 1.6bhp (continuous)
Top speed: 28mph (claimed)
Weight: 85kg
Battery: 1.4kWh
Licence: AM
Clearly an outlier given the rest of the electric commuter options, but worth including on this list to highlight the variety out there. As standard BMW’s CE 04 leccy maxi-scoot is an A2-class machine, making 42bhp. But it’s also available in a restricted version for A1 licences, with its peak power reduced to 31bhp and range reduced to a claimed 62 miles. Top speed remains 75mph, it just gets there a bit slower than the full-power version. Compared to other A1 electric scoots it’s in a completely different universe when it comes to weight, price and performance. But, hey, if you can afford to splash the cash and want to ride the most powerful, longest-range and most luxurious offering in the A1 electric scooter class, then you’ll be wanting to head to a BMW dealership and asking for a test ride on one of these. Read our review of the BMW CE 04 here.
Power: 31bhp (maximum) / 15bhp (continuous)
Top speed: 75mph (claimed)
Weight: 231kg
Battery: 8.9kWh (maximum) / 8.5kWh (nominal)
Licence: A1
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When it comes to urban transportation, electricity rules. From skateboards to scooters to bikes, there’s an electrified offering for you. If you have your heart set on a moped, you’re in luck. While offerings are still relatively sparse in the United States compared to many European countries, the electric moped wave is in full swing across the States.
Whether you're sizing down from a car or upgrading from a scooter, electric mopeds offer the best of both worlds. Their low profile makes maneuvering city streets a breeze while their beefed-up motors and battery packs bring them up to speed on the faster roads. Still, all that versatility comes at a premium. With some models costing as much as a second-hand car, it’s important to know what you need—and what you don’t—before dropping money on a new electric moped.
Here are our picks for the best electric mopeds in 2023.
Honda
When it comes to electric mopeds, you get what you pay for. Budget-friendly models can be had at a fraction of the price of the top mopeds on the market, but, with them, you often get substandard components, like inefficient lead-acid batteries and slow, low-powered motors.
To find the best value options on the market, I started by reading through countless forum posts from the nerdiest and most educated electric moped enthusiasts around. Then, I employed The Drive’s review methodology to compare the specifications of different offerings to see what models offered the best value at their given price point. I primarily limited my search to models available for U.S. customers, but most of the models included here are also available outside the United States.
Pros
Fast acceleration and high top-speed
Removable battery packs for easy charging
Competitive price point
Two-year main body warranty
Cons
Severe lack of storage
Poor customer service
Since its founding in 2014, NIU Technologies has become prolific in the world of electric scooters and mopeds. Driving NIU’s reputation is its flagship MQi GT EVO, which boasts a 62 MPH top speed and a 46-mile range thanks to its 5000W motor and 72V dual lithium battery packs. Some testing has even pushed the moped to 70 MPH, but speed and range will vary depending on your riding style, road and weather conditions, load weight, and whether you live at the bottom of a hill.
The EVO comes with three riding modes—Eco, Dynamic, and Sport—each of which electronically changes the top speed to optimize speed and range depending on your goals. Both batteries are stored underneath the seat and can be fully charged in five hours. Batteries can be charged in place or removed if parking next to an electric outlet is not an option.
NIU integrates technology thoughtfully throughout the EVO. A smart LED dashboard offers three different display options depending on your personal style, displaying speed, battery status, riding mode, and more. A connected NIU app lets you quickly see the battery status, tire pressure, real-time location of the moped, and more. The EVO also includes 360-degree LED lights, including NIU’s third-generation halo light, equipped with daytime running light abilities. Combined with an aluminum body, the EVO achieves IP54-graded weather resistance. And even with all the technology, you still get analog controls where you want them, with physical indicator and cruise control buttons.
Still, for all its value, the EVO is not without its faults. The battery placement under the seat severely limits storage capabilities. This can be addressed through an optional luggage rack attachment, but that will set you back another $210 dollars. While NIU includes a two-year warranty for the main components of the EVO, some riders have reported poor customer service from the company, with slow to non-existent response times. Enthusiasts generally recommend buying from a local dealer who can more easily help if things go wrong.
At just over $6,000, the EVO is far from the most expensive moped on our list, but its speed, range, and extensive feature list make it one of the best values on the market today. If the price tag is a bit steep, NIU also offers lower-trim versions of the MQi starting at just under $3,000 dollars.
If NIU’s flagship model doesn’t tick the right boxes on your moped wishlist, or isn't available to you, one of our recommended alternatives is sure to do the trick.
At just over $12,000, the CE-04 cost twice that of the EVO. But, with its 80-mile range, ultra-fast charging, and standout styling, it’s a one-of-a-kind offering in the electric moped market.
Optioned with a 60V 20Ah lead-acid battery, the FLY-10 sells for just $1,399 dollars. That said, most enthusiasts recommend splurging for the optional 60V 50Ah lithium battery.
The Electtrica is far from the best value option on our list, but if you’re after Vespa’s iconic looks there’s no better moped out there — just be ready to pay a premium for it.
The little brother to the CE-04 might not be the most practical moped on our list, but its sharp performance and impossibly hip styling make it a standout option for a fun weekend ride.
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
Generally speaking, mopeds must be registered and the rider must obtain a motorcycle license. However, laws vary by state. In Connecticut, for instance, mopeds do not have to be registered with the DMV and riders only need a standard driver’s license. For more precise information, check with your local state’s laws.
Lithium batteries are preferred over older lead-acid batteries for their improved longevity and performance, but prospective moped owners should also consider what, if any, battery management system their desired moped is equipped with. These systems play an important role in maximizing the performance of a battery over its lifetime.
Storage, use conditions, and battery capacity will affect the ultimate lifetime of a moped’s battery, but most sources say you can expect 300-500 full charge cycles from a lithium battery before its performance is diminished. A battery’s overall lifetime can be extended through optimal charging habits.
Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
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