E-bikes are great, combining a lightweight vehicle with near effortless propulsion. But sometimes you just want to sit back and relax. Thats when an electric scooter might be for you.
Now theres an interesting new option coming to the U.S. scooter industry: the Screecher. You'd be forgiven if you've never heard of Yarmouth, Maine, population 8,500. Aside from the annual Yarmouth Clam Festival, not much happens in the quiet city. Except for Screecher, that is.
Screecher is an electric scooter or four-wheeler. It has four wheels and pedals, making it visually similar to a bike you might rent on vacation. But unlike most four-wheelers, this one is electric. and solar powered. Affordable at just $2,500.
Two 350W motors work in series, providing 700W of continuous electric assistance (adjustable to 5 levels), with a peak power of 1,000W during acceleration and climbing.
In fact, the Screecher electric scooter can work in pure electric mode, which means you don’t need a pedal at all. Just twist the throttle and drive it like a regular car. "Normal" is relative. If you just want pedals, this is my choice. A belt drive connects the front wheel to user-supplied pedal power. If you want a constant level of assistance, theres cruise control.
The power supply is provided by a 48V 12.8Ah lithium-ion battery. Screecher electric scooter has a capacity of over 600 Wh, an electric rangeCircumference can reach 20 miles (32 kilometers).
The Screecher’s top electric speed is 15 mph, although riders may add some extra pedal power to go even faster.
Acceleration doesn't force your head back, and the 0-15mph (25km/h) time is 5 seconds. However, this is still better than many cheaper e-bikes.
Leslie Gillert, president and director of engineering at Screecher, said:
“Our goal is to solve a specific problem: the lack of affordable electric carbon-neutral vehicles. Sexual transportation. We did not set out to build an expensive and over-engineered product that would only be used by a few people. Our design is elegant, functional, and simple, providing greater stability, comfort, and easier maintenance."
Screecher offers sport seating for two people, or cargo space for one. It can also be used for towing, so you can drag your kayak up the trail to the river and park next to the bank.
Screecher even folds to about half its size. So you might put your scooter in the back of a regular car, or more likely an SUV. Although it weighs 120 lbs (54 kg), you may want to have a friend help you lift it. Great thing with two seats!
The Screecher has solar charging capabilities, and in addition to Level 1 charging (which is plugging the Screechers removable battery into a wall outlet in your home), the Screecher also includes a roof-mounted solar cell plate. Actually, I wouldn't call it a "roof installation" as much as a "roof replacement". Solar panels are on the roof.
While you won't plan on riding this friend on the bike path, its still suitable. However, I think its more suitable for cycling or small communities. This is a great way to get to the golf course or clubhouse.
The belt drive is definitely aNice touch, it makes me wonder how they are able to keep the price so low. It certainly doesn't appear to be a fancy Gates belt drive, which probably contributes to the reasonable pricing.
It should be noted that Screecher is not actually in production yet. Since this is technically a pre-order situation, there are caveats to note (buyer beware). Its not quite the same as Kickstarter or Indiegogo in that you're at least dealing directly with the company, but you're still buying something that doesn't exist yet.
My other main question is, how does this fit into traffic laws in many places? You'll want to check your local regulations, as sometimes the bikes restrictions end when you add a fourth wheel. However, it may qualify as a new energy vehicle, or LEV, in some places.
The company provides this information on its website. Hope your local law enforcement is friendly: "The Screecher is essentially a four-wheel e-bike thats suitable for bike lanes. In most countries, e-bikes don't need to be registered or require a drivers license. Regulations vary by country, state, and city The difference. Our designers and testers rode Screechers all over their hometown, including past friendly police officers who just waved or gave a thumbs up."
