P1

Jan 23, 2023

I cover consumer tech in Asia Got it! Got it! ben sin I’ve tested a few electric scooters over the past few years and they all had a lot in common: they weigh about 25-30 pounds, which is light enough for me to pick up with one arm, and can go about a maximum of 15 miles per hour (about 24 kilometers per hour). These scooters mostly originate out of China and are meant to cover the so-called “last mile commute” for urbanites living in cities. The idea is that commuters can take the scooters onto subways or buses, and then ride the final mile or so to their offices or homes. Well, those scooters tend to be a bit underpowered—both in maximum speed and maximum mileage—in sprawling Los Angeles, where the city stretches out many more miles, and subway stations are fewer and further between. And so when I got the chance to upgrade my scooter setup to a heavy duty scooter made by a U.K. company named Solar, I did it. The model I’m testing, the just-launched P1 Pro, is several levels above the previous scooters I’ve tested. For example, the P1 Pro, with dual 2,000-watt motors, can go at a maximum speed of 50 mph (that’s 80 kph for non-Americans). I’ll be honest: that is way too fast for me, and during my weeks of riding the scooter, I never surpassed 30 mph. But this extra power comes in handy even if you don’t actually push the maximum speed, because it allows the scooter to go up steep hills, for example. In the video below, you can see I took the P1 Pro up the hilly Alpine street in Los Angeles, and the scooter was able to go up at 25 mph without losing a beat. The second benefit of all that power is this thing has some serious acceleration power—the motor generates high torque—so much that if you don’t hold on tight, the initial acceleration can feel scary. For those who are used to riding motorbikes, this shouldn’t feel out of place. But if you’re jumping over from the smaller scooters, it can take some adjustment. Thanks to the large 11-inch fat tires and robust suspension system, the ride remains smooth, even through the notoriously broken Los Angeles pavement. the 11-inch tire. ben sin With all that power comes increased bulk, however. The Solar P1 Pro weighs a whopping 70 lbs, which makes it no longer so easily to carry. But the scooter feels noticeably sturdier than smaller ones, thanks to the alloy rims and aluminum body. I can still lift it up and move it a few steps, but I would not be able to take this up stairs. The Solar P1 Pro folds up, but it's ehavy. ben sin The scooter’s handlebar has the throttle on the right side, along with an LCD display showing the speed and other relevant information. There are two handles for brakes, to control the responsive hydraulic brakes. The throttle, LCD display, and brake. ben sin