Electric scooter maker Okinawa has introduced its new flagship Cruiser EV at the Auto Expo.
The Okinawa Cruiser is the first electric maxi-scooter in the country. As far as India is concerned, maxi-scooter segment (big-bodied scooters that are designed for comfortable long-distance touring) is a road less traveled and the previous attempts didn’t exactly make an impact. However, with India at the verge of an EV revolution, things could be different now.
The Okinawa Cruiser subscribes to the textbook maxi-scooter styling with a front heavy stance. The massive front apron houses one of the largest headlamp clusters we have seen on a scooter. The generously proportioned visor would keep the rider away from wind blast even at high speeds. The steering column emanates from the apron but is angled towards the rider to make for a relaxed riding posture. The Cruiser compensates for the lack of conventional flat foot board with large-enough rider foot rests on either side.
The sprawling single-piece seat should make for comfortable long rides for both the rider and pillion. Also, the underseat storage capacity is certainly more than what an average scooter offers. The 14-inch wheels should make for decent riding dynamics. In a nutshell, the Okinawa Cruiser emerges as a quintessential maxi-scooter.
Mechanically, the Cruiser is equipped with a hub-mounted BLDC motor whose rated power is still under wraps. The motor is supported by a 72V, 4 kWh lithium ion battery which can be detached from the scooter for charging. The battery can be charged fully in 2-3 hours using a fast charger. Okinawa Cruiser has a claimed top-speed of 100 kmph and a range of 120 km on a full charge. The electric maxi-scooter weights 150 kg.
Salient features include LED headlamp and taillight, digi-analog instrument console, keyless entry (whatever ‘entry’ means on a scooter!), central-locking with anti-theft alarm, USB charging port, reverse assistance, mobile app connectivity with Find my scooter function, cruise speed lock and aluminium alloy wheels.
Okinawa Scooters is yet to reveal the pricing of its new flagship. The cruiser is expected to be introduced in the coming months and is likely to benefit from the FAME-II subsidy.
