Stay calm and be cool
In a time when a loud sports exhaust under your scooter still made an impression, the first electric scooters cautiously entered the market. The similarities among these few models were a conservative design and a high purchase price. Neither of these are characteristics that appeal to the largest scooter audience, the youth.
During that period, we teamed up with the startup eeeeFUN to develop an affordable and accessible scooter targeting this relatively young demographic. But how do you make noiseless electric driving interesting for them? And what do you add as a distinctive alternative to the engine sound? How do you ensure that it is also appealing to a much broader audience, such as a business alternative for commuting instead of a car?
Goals were quickly set: the shape had to be playful yet balanced and neutral to cater to the broad audience. We came up with interchangeable front and side panels that you can customize to your taste. This way, everything is possible, from vibrant eye-catching designs to a more neutral and professional color scheme. And not to forget, we want to integrate onboard speakers with Bluetooth connection, a novelty in scooters back then.
With the online configurator, your scooter is fully customizable. It starts with choosing the electric motor version: the e25, e40, or the extra fast and sporty e80 variant with disc brakes and upgraded suspension for more serious riding. Next in line are the main color, wheel design, and saddle material and color. And of course, the eye-catchers: the interchangeable panels.
For these panels, in addition to choosing from standard solid colors, there is also an option for a print from the extensive design library. If you want a 100% custom scooter, there is the possibility to upload your design or photo for a set of truly unique panels on your e-scooter.
Ease of use has also been taken a step further, with features such as a large glove compartment under the handlebar besides the substantial storage space under the buddy seat. Optionally, a second battery pack can be placed under this seat for longer distances when used as an alternative to a car.
To efficiently carry out a project like this, it was decided to keep the responsibility for design and engineering in-house and outsource the support engineering and tooling to a team in Asia. With continuous design feedback and quality checks, this approach allows for a rapid turnaround from the entire development process from idea to production: essential in a rapidly evolving market.
Due to its accessibility, the eeeeFUN became one of the electric pioneers that made a significant contribution to transforming the scooter market, quickly shedding the whisperquiet ‘uncool’ image. In addition, it offers an affordable and sustainable alternative to cars and traffic jams: the complete package in your personal style.
