Niu scooters leveraging crowdfunding

This story first appeared in the October issue of EVtalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

Crowdfunding is getting Niu electric scooters on the road.

Nearly every model has been oversubscribed through the Indiegogo marketplace channel, Niu Scooters, NZ director Andreas Vaioleti says.

The site has been used to launch two new smart scooters – the Niu N-GT – with two versions, full power motorcycle class and the N-Pro that is limited to 45km/h but with no other differences – and the M+ built for two riders, both with more than 100km range.

The crowdfunding helps ensure the scooters are available here with marketing including instant notifications to potential customers.

Using Indiegogo allows a deposit to be paid on a scooter of choice with full and final payment made at the store when collecting the scooter or on delivery.

Vaioleti has personally checked the scooters out first overseas, evaluating the prototype at the Changzhou factory in China last year and then at their official launch in Paris in June this year.

The Niu scooters are designed by Europe-based Kiwi car and motorcycle designer Joseph Nelson, the scooters further developed for New Zealand riding conditions.

The electric scooters have removable batteries for ease of charging and security.

The N-GT has two batteries (60v35aH) and the M+ has one (40v42aH), with a typical single charge taking about 3.5 hours, or they can be left to charge overnight.

Niu scooters are ideal for urban commuters wanting to avoid traffic congestion and find easier, cheaper parking, Vaioleti says.

He reckons increasing fuel prices and the imposition of fuel taxes has encouraged many Kiwis to think about using electric scooters.

All the machines are smart and connected, so the latest version of the Niu app allows checking of battery status and the scooter’s systems, provides anti-theft alerts, GPS, and much more – along with over-the-air updates for firmware.

A Vodafone SIM card is used to handle this connectivity with smartphones.

The M1 Pro is priced at $4199 RRP with the N1S, the first models reviewed in EVtalk May 2018 magazine, $4499 RRP.

The Niu range is available through seven dealers around the country including Auckland, Thames, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

Vaioleti says there’s strong interest in the electric scooters and he sees sales continuing to grow.

“They save on fuel, maintenance, time and more, and people love the high tech as well.”