SEAT unveils new e-Scooter concept for 2020 release

SEAT has announced its first electric e-Scooter at the Smart City Expo World Congress.

Available to buy in 2020, it will be aimed at private users, shared services and fleets and has a range of 71 miles.

SEAT has signed a collaboration agreement with Barcelona-based scooter manufacturer Silence, which will see the e-Scooter built at its facilities in Molins de Rei, located halfway between Barcelona and Martorell.

The e-Scooter concept is equipped with a 7kW motor with a peak rate of 11kW (14.8hp), equivalent to 125cc, which delivers instant engine torque of 240Nm. The scooter reaches a top speed of 100km/h (62mph), enough to accelerate to 50 km/h (31mph) in just 3.8 seconds.

The battery can be removed and easily charged at home or public charging stations at an estimated cost to all customers of only €0.70 for every 100 kilometres (62 miles) in continental Europe. In addition, the e-Scooter concept has enough storage space for two helmets beneath the seat, it is connected, and users can track its battery charge level or location via a mobile app.

The company also presented a concept of its new generation e-Kickscooter at the Smart City Expo World Congress. This new version features a range of up to 40 miles, two independent brake systems and a much higher capacity battery that reaches 551Wh. Sales of the current version - the SEAT EXS presented in 2018 - totalled over 10,000 units.

The new business unit will integrate all the product, service and platform-based mobility solutions and is set to market launch the e-Scooter next year. The new e-Kickscooter concept will also be included in this unit and complements the portfolio that began with the SEAT EXS in 2018. The range of products is designed for final customers (ownership) as well as fleets and sharing services (per use basis).