Niu's latest: ultralight carbon fiber scooters

NIU has placed its new range of KQi Air scooters at another level in terms of portability, maneuverability and lightness thanks to the use of materials such as carbon fiber and magnesium.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
18 September 2023 Monday 23:19
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Niu's latest: ultralight carbon fiber scooters

NIU has placed its new range of KQi Air scooters at another level in terms of portability, maneuverability and lightness thanks to the use of materials such as carbon fiber and magnesium. The world leader in electric two-wheeled vehicles recently presented its innovative electric scooters KQi Air

These revolutionary next-generation VMPs are set to redefine the ultralight scooter category and will set new benchmarks in the sector, reaching levels of excellence, innovation and sustainability hitherto unheard of among e-scooters.

Weighing only 11.7 kg, the KQi Air X has a chassis made of 100% carbon fiber; while the KQi Air weighs 11.9 kg with a carbon fiber (70%) and magnesium (30%) chassis. The "sister" models, with a great power-to-weight ratio and 40% lighter than their competitors, guarantee unparalleled portability, while offering impressive performance.

With a maximum speed of 32 km/h (to be considered VMP in Spain it should be limited to 25 km/h), a range of 50 km and a maximum power of 700 watts, these light electric scooters display driving that is as exciting as it is efficient, whether dodging traffic, walking around the city or climbing hills with a 20% gradient.

Equipped with wide handlebars, large 9.5-inch tubeless tires and a wide, spacious deck, the KQi Air X and KQi Air offer maximum riding comfort. Additionally, the front disc brake provides greater stopping power, while regenerative braking extends range and battery life.

In an industry where heavy, high-performance electric scooters sacrifice portability, and lightweight options compromise power, range and comfort, NIU's goal was to design an exceptionally light scooter with high performance. To do this, the Asian firm surpassed the traditional limits in product engineering in this segment and opted for the comprehensive use of carbon fiber, a material widely used in other disciplines and fields, such as aviation, nautical or motor racing.

Powered by innovative 21700 lithium-ion battery technology, the KQi offers longer battery life and driving range, while 5-hour fast charging capability allows for minimal downtime.

Users will also be able to lock and unlock their scooters using a personalized NFC card or via Bluetooth when the user's phone is within range.

The NIU app has more smart features than ever, allowing the user to stay informed, always connected and in total control of their trip. There are various configurable parameters, such as selecting the starting mode, limiting the battery charging capacity to preserve its useful life, limiting the maximum speed for novice users and to save battery life, opting for weak, moderate or strong levels of regenerative braking. , select soft or standard acceleration modes or adjust the starting speed according to preference.

With high quality and manufacturing precision, NIU electric scooters use advanced all-carbon fiber construction techniques, making them incredibly light, but exceptionally strong. This is how they explain it from the company itself: "By harnessing the power of carbon fiber, we have achieved the perfect balance between reducing weight and improving performance, resulting in much more efficient electric scooters. The joint efforts of our engineering, design and research teams have changed the rules of the game for sustainable urban mobility," says Dr. Yan Li, CEO of the company.

Both the KQi Air X and the KQi Air will be available for pre-sale starting September 19 on the brand's website. Users will have the opportunity to purchase limited edition models of the KQi Air recommended sale) respectively.