Cityskater and Streetmate: alternative solutions for everyday mobility
Volkswagen’s goal is to become the world’s leading electric mobility supplier. But e-mobility does not necessarily mean cars, especially if we think about moving around urban areas; for this reason, the Brand is also working on unconventional products such as the Cityskater and Streetmate scooters, unveiled at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show.
Cityskater is afolding electric scooter, which is highly portable and practical thanks to its weight of just 11.9 kg. Streetmate, on the other hand, is a compact electric scooter which still weighs just 65 kg and is suitable for the daily home-work journey, among other things. They have both been designed to save time by connecting seamlessly heterogeneous transport networks, thus giving life to compact micromobility.
In the near future, city residents and tourists will be able to leave their cars at home, in the hotel or car park, and use these small zero-emission vehicles as an intelligent alternative to cars, particularly over short and medium distances like travelling between the bus stop or train station to their final destination, or between districts of a city. With these two products, Volkswagen is expanding its range of vehicles dedicated to electric mobility, made up of the flagship I.D. VIZZION, the minivan I.D. BUZZ, the SUV I.D. CROZZ and the compact I.D..
Yes, as it weighs just 11.9 kg and can be folded to fit into a vehicle’s luggage compartment and then opened in a few seconds. It can also be easily stored under a desk, as it is only 33 cm tall when folded.
The Cityskater has a range of 15 km. The 200 Wh lithium-ion battery powering its 450-watt electric motor can be charged to 50% (corresponding to 7.5 km range) in less than an hour from a standard 230 V domestic power outlet.
Yes: it has two wheels at the front and one at the rear, but unlike a skateboard or a scooter, it has a footboard with a wheel for each leg and a fixed handlebar which provides the necessary support. You can steer simply by moving your weight from one leg to the other and, thanks to its ability to tilt up to 22°, the Cityskater also takes on bends with ease. Starting, accelerating and braking, however, are managed using the same knob on the handlebar.
Yes, because it supports weights of up to 120 kg, it has a speed similar to a bycicle (up to 20 km/h) and has a hill-climbing capacity of 10%. The Cityskater is currently undergoing type approval, with the goal of obtaining authorisation for use on cycle paths. It is equipped with a front and rear light, as well as a horn.
Yes. In Europe, drivers must wear a helmet and hold a driving license, meaning it must also be registered and insured. Depending on the type approval, it is also possible to fold the seat away so it can be driven while standing. It has a 2-kW electric motor installed in the rear wheel hub, and can reach a maximum speed of 45 km/h.
The 1.3 kWh lithium-ion battery is integrated into the floor structure, lowering the centre of gravity, thus improving handling. It can be recharged in 2 hours 15 minutes if the Streetmate is connected to a dedicated charging station, but it can also be removed and recharged at home or in the office.
The Streetmate has a range of 35 km and is very easy to drive. You can accelerate using your thumb on the handlebar and brake with the levers, like a traditional scooter. The brake system features perforated disk brakes and anti-lock braking system (ABS), while the motor in the rear wheel-hub works as an alternator, recovering energy via regenerative braking when slowing down.
Yes: a smartphone can be used as a “digital key”, and the 5.3” display in the centre of the handlebar (weather and waterproof) can be connected to it to receive navigation data. There is also a dedicated app which can tell the driver the location of their Streetmate and sets off its alarm if someone tries to steal it.
Source: Volkswagen AG