Vespa Electtrica Electric Scooter to Debut in Europe This October

Vespa, the iconic Italian scooter manufacturer, has introduced its first fully electric model, the Vespa Electtrica. Production will commence this September, with the scooter going on sale across Europe in October. Markets such as the United States and Asia will have to wait until early 2019 to get their hands on it. Initially, availability will be limited but will expand in November to coincide with the Milan Motorcycle Show, also known as EICMA 2018.

The Vespa Electtrica carries forward the classic Vespa aesthetic from its 1946 original, now powered by a silent battery system. The electric scooter is rated for a maximum range of 62 miles (100 km) and delivers performance comparable to a conventional 50cc scooter. A full charge takes around 4 hours, and maintaining this schedule will keep the battery at full capacity for up to a decade of use. While the top speed has not been officially confirmed, an Eco mode caps speed at 19 mph to conserve power.

Under the hood, the Vespa Electtrica uses a DC motor that provides 2 kW (2.7 hp) continuously and peaks at 4 kW (5.4 hp). The model also integrates advanced AI developed by Piaggio Group, similar to that found in their robot Gita. This intelligence allows the scooter to detect potential hazards, recognize riders, suggest alternate routes in heavy traffic, and interface with navigation services. It can also sense nearby pedestrians and vehicles using radar and features a digital dashboard that connects to smartphones via Bluetooth.

A hybrid variant called the Electtrica X is also in development, offering a total range of around 124 miles but with a shorter battery-only range of approximately 31 miles, after which a small gasoline generator kicks in.

Although official pricing has yet to be released, Piaggio indicates that the Vespa Electtrica will sit among high-end models, suggesting a projected cost of roughly $7,000.