Green Scooter is a South African start-up that claims to introduce the first and safest electric motor-tricycle on the African continent. It has two models, the Zbee Cargo and the Zbee RS, aimed at consumers and businesses.
The company is targeting daily commuters who require a last-mile ride and consumers who want to own an affordable electric vehicle for short to medium distance trips.
It is available through a rent or rent-to-own model starting at R5,345 per month for a minimum three-month lease that goes up to 36 months.
Sowetan Motoring was recently given an exclusive test drive of the vehicle at its offices in the West Rand. It operates like to a motorbike with controls on the handlebar and has motorised wipers. Both models have a 5.14kWh battery located beneath the driver’s seat in the centre. It charges from a built-in two pin plug, and has a top speed of 60km/h.
On a single charge, the Zbee Cargo provides up to 120km of range and the Zbee RS, which seats three people, offers up to 100km of range. The Cargo model has 1200l of storage plus a separate 50l lockable compartment for items like a backpack, laptop and fire extinguisher.
After brief tutorial in the parking lot, I zipped around to get a feel for it, and just like any other EV, it moves quickly due to instant torque. It is open on both sides, but you can zip up a clear protective shield for windy or rainy conditions. It was a fun drive and easy to manoeuvre but I felt it was more suited as a delivery vehicle rather than to get around.
Founder and CEO Fezile Dhlamini said soon after Green Scooter was founded in 2017, two macro-trends emerged that changed the game.
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Nafisa Akabor
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Recharged is an independent site that focuses on technology, electric vehicles, and the digital life by Nafisa Akabor. Drawing from her 16-year tech journalism career, expect news, reviews, how-tos, comparisons, and practical uses of tech that are easy to digest. info@recharged.co.za