Electric scooters have become a pretty common sight on city streets, as they transport people from place to place … but what if they could do more? The cargo-hauling Scootility “utility scooter” was designed with that very question in mind.
A versatile cargo solution
Currently, in functional prototype form, the Scootility is being developed by a Vancouver-based electric mobility startup of the same name. The vehicle’s most prominent feature is its 140-liter lockable weatherproof cargo box, which can be quickly taken off and swapped for another as needed.
Credit: Scootility
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The Scootility’s key features
Some of the Scootility’s other features include front and rear suspension (with a 16-inch tire in front and a 13-inch tire in the back), a full LED lighting system, and a battery range of up to 62 miles if users opt for a second deck-mounted swappable lithium battery. The top speed will be electronically limited by jurisdiction.
Credit: Scootility
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Multiple functions in one scooter
The scooter’s capability could come in handy when one load needs to be dropped off, and another needs to be picked up, with as little turnaround time as possible. It would also allow one base scooter to serve multiple purposes when equipped with different boxes.
For example, it could be used to deliver food or non-perishable packages, or even to hold first aid equipment when used by first responders in places that are difficult to access by ambulance. At a length of 70.9 in, the Scootility is about as long as a typical bicycle.
Credit: Scootility
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Compact and convenient
There’s also a fold-out leg rest that doubles as a sort of glove compartment when deployed, along with a steering column that folds down when not in use for compact storage. The Scootility is certainly much more compact and agile than delivery cars or vans; plus, it’s cheaper to run, it can be parked on sidewalks, plus operators don’t need to have a driver’s license. It’s also reportedly smaller, easier to ride, less expensive than front-loading cargo bikes, and has a greater cargo capacity than conventional bikes.
Credit: Scootility
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The utility scooter’s path to market
The company tells us that they are “raising seed funding to finance the development of the production model, which we’ll be undertaking with our design partners Springtime Design and our engineering partners Engineering Design Lab.” They also plan to enter production 12 months after funding is acquired. Pre-sales of the utility scooter they tell us will begin before then.
Credit: Scootility
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Pricing
Exact pricing has yet to be determined, but the company does say, “The price will be in the range of approximately half that of front-loading cargo bikes commonly used by businesses for deliveries and other applications. There will also be lower-cost options for users who have less demanding requirements, such as regarding battery capacity.”
Credit: Scootility
The utility scooter’s possible applications
The utility scooter is a perfect fit for rapid urban deliveries of meals, groceries, and other items. It’s also ideal for staff on campuses, technicians for service providers, emergency responders in congested urban environments, and a wide range of other use cases in corporate and institutional fleets.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Does the idea of one more vehicle out there on the road stress you out, or do you think we need to resort to smaller vehicles like this to solve the congestion problems in our major cities? Let us know in the comments below.