Does an abundance of carbon at NIU harm?

NIU launches the KQi Air X and KQi Air, their new ultra-lightweight carbon fiber scooters. But is it really useful?

NIU does not deny its high-end positioning and continues along its path of excellence, innovation, and sustainability with these carbon fiber scooters. The manufacturer’s ambition is bold: “to set new standards in the industry, redefining the market for ultra-light electric scooters.”

Weighing only 11.7 kg, the structure of the KQi Air X is entirely made of carbon fiber, while that of the KQi Air, weighing 11.9 kg, is composed of 70% carbon fiber and 30% magnesium.

NIU announces models that are 40% lighter than existing ones on the market… So, the market might be composed of scooters around 20kg? A quick review of some past and present best-sellers:

• Xiaomi MI 3: 13.2 kg at 400 euros
• Segway Ninebot E2: 14.2 kg at 280 euros
• Oxelo R900E: 14.1 kg at 450 euros

The KQi Air X and KQi Air scooters will be available for pre-order on September 19th at www.shop.NIU.com. Customers will have the opportunity to purchase limited edition models at an exclusive pre-order price of $1399 and $949 respectively. While the euro/dollar parity is often favorable, the indicated prices may increase when converted to euros. Let’s be a bit cynical, compared to their competitors, this puts the price per kilogram of NIU scooter at a minimum of 200 euros. Yes, that’s somewhat unfair because it doesn’t take into account the technical specifications of these devices.

So, from a technical standpoint, what do we have? With a maximum speed of 32 km/h, legally limited to 25 km/h in France, a range of 45 km, a maximum power of 700 watts, and a climbing ability reaching 20%, these scooters are at the top of the technical range. However, these numbers need to be validated through real-world testing. Equipped with wide handlebars, tubeless tires of 9.5 inches, a large and spacious deck, a front disc brake, and regenerative braking to extend the range, they have everything. In fact, they might even have too much: once folded, the scooter takes up a lot of space!

In conclusion, NIU presents us with two very attractive objects featuring cutting-edge technology that guarantees lightness and durability, making them appealing for a higher class of urban users. We love the use of carbon and magnesium—it’s modern, beautiful, and lightweight, making for a strong marketing point. But for an object weighing less than 15 kg, the actual gain, in our opinion, is quite marginal and doesn’t justify the extra cost.