At the EICMA 2021 in Milan, Niu unveiled a variety of new models, including an electric scooter named MQi GT Evo that can reach speeds of over 100 km/h and an urban electric motorcycle called RQi. For the first time, the Chinese company is exhibiting micro-mobility items at EICMA, such as electric scooters and e-bikes.
Niu displays six new models
In total, Niu is showcasing six new models in Milan: the RQi electric motorcycle, two electric scooters (MQi GT Evo and NQi GTS), the KQi2 electric kickscooter, and the BQi e-bike. Two of the three scooters (MQi GT Evo and NQi GTS), as well as the electric scooter, will be available in Europe starting on March 1st. From mid-2022, electric motorcycles and e-bikes will be available.
Let’s look at the newcomers in more detail: Niu’s M series has a new member in the form of the MQi GT Evo. It boasts a completely new visual design, a top speed of 100 km/h, and a sprint time of 3.3 seconds from 0 to 50 km/h. A 5 kW hub motor and two detachable 26 Ah batteries (72 volts) are used to accomplish this high level of performance. The range of Niu is up to 100 kilometers. The batteries may be charged in less than four hours, according to the manufacturer.
The MQi GT Evo also has an all-new TFT color display, keyless ignition, and an electric anti-theft steering wheel lock, as well as app-enabled sharing profiles that allow riders to share the scooter with family without requiring a key. According to Niu, the price is €4,999, which includes “three years of connectivity and app services.”
The MQi GT EVO has been redesigned inside and out compared to the previous MQi models, as chief innovation officer Token Hu explained:
“When we sat down to build the EVO, we had one goal in mind – this bike has got to be fun from the moment you pull the throttle.”
Niu has achieved a lot of new milestones with the MQi GT Evo. It’s the Chinese company’s fastest electric scooter until now, with the most powerful hub motor and, for the first time, a higher battery voltage (72 volts rather than 48 volts) than prior models.
Niu also has a new electric motorbike for the city of Milan with the RQi, which it previewed at CES 2020. The drive is made up of a 5 kW chain motor and two detachable 36 Ah batteries (72 volts) that store almost 5.2 kWh of energy and can be charged in under four hours from a standard residential wall outlet using Niu’s fast charger. Niu only offers a top speed of 110 km/h as a performance metric.
Riders should be able to obtain a boost at any time thanks to a newly built “Launch Mode.” Again, the Chinese have stated that it takes about four hours to charge a battery. The newly built front and rear cameras are another feature of the RQi. 6.999 euros is the price.
The NQi GTS is next, and it’s getting a facelift for the 2022 model year. The scooter is equipped with a newly developed “V-engine” that is capable of reaching speeds of over 80 km/h. The range is estimated to be 70 kilometers. Niu claims a 70-kilometer range and a price of 3,999 euros.
Niu is also attempting to break into the electric kickscooter sector. The manufacturer unveiled a first model, the KQi3, at the start of the year, which would be available in retail outlets in Europe and the United States in the spring. The KQi2, which is now on show at the EICMA, is the newest addition to the electric scooter family, with a top speed of 25 km/h and a price tag of 499 euros.
With the BQi e-bike, Niu is also breaking into a new market. The model has a single-gear transmission and a 250 W Bafang motor. The electric pedal assist is said to have a range of up to 100 kilometers. In the step-through frame, a pair of Niu detachable batteries form a V-shape. The bike’s practicality is enhanced by a rear rack and accompanying fenders. The top speed is 25 km/h, and the price is “around 1,500 euros,” according to the company.
Finally, at the Milan event, Niu also highlight a study of a hybrid motorcycle named YQi, which blends a liquid-cooled 150-cc petrol engine with a centrally located 2400-W electric motor. Between the gas motor and the electric engine, a total of 14.5 kW of power would be available, allowing for speeds of up to 110 km/h (68 mph). According to an accompanying statement, this pair can accomplish “peak speeds and acceleration times often usually found on motorbikes above 250cc.” The manufacturing version of the YQi is set to debut in the first half of 2023.
The new scooters will come with a prepaid Vodafone SIM card, just like the rest of the Niu fleet. This will allow them to connect to the Niu app at any time of day or night. Riders can get real-time information including GPS, anti-theft, and remote tracking, as well as access to a help center, with this app. At the same time, the scooters are updated with the most recent software via over-the-air upgrades on a regular basis.
Sources: electrek.co
