This is the death sentence for petrol scooters - DRVETION AT20
I tested an electric scooter.
contents show
Also watch my video test:
Introductory
I'm going to start this article right off the bat with an apology, because the introduction will be a bit longer than one would expect from a test. In fact, I can call this paragraph another article within the article.
Electric bike vs. Electric scooter
The main question that arises in everyone's mind is how an electric scooter can differ from an electric bicycle. Well, those expecting some world-changing innovation will have to be disappointed. The difference is quite minimal.
The boundary between an electric scooter and an electric bicycle is very thin.
The fact that nowadays there is no big difference between electric bicycles and scooters can be traced back to a simple reason, the evolution of bikes. To the east of us, manufacturers are not bound by a thousand rules. They can play with performance, top speed, and this freedom allows them to launch creations that are different from the average bike.
To say the least, here are the miracles called FAT bikes, which stand out from the usual European field with their thick wheels. These are very good things, they are good to drive with, but they also have disadvantages. Namely, that they can only be used to a limited extent without electrical assistance.
The limited usability in this case means that we have to exert significantly more force to move forward due to the thick tires.
In addition to the thick tires, different frame shapes appeared, which were mostly about practicality and less about beauty. A separate industry has now been built on these "special" bikes, bicycle manufacturers carefully select the parts they like from the shelves of component manufacturing companies, and thus new manufacturers can appear on the market with a new product practically every day.
This is why a lot of Chinese bikes look very similar.
So development doesn't stop, and nowadays 500-750- or 1000-watt bicycles, which are built on a similar frame and use thick tires, are not rare anymore. Riding these bikes almost feels like riding a motorcycle, which is why I love them so much. The top speed is good, the torque is good, the acceleration is good, and with the thick tires, cornering is also enjoyable. In other words, these bikes also work as a real adrenaline bomb, if someone needs it.
Since the motorcycle feel is a given, it doesn't take much to become a truly full-fledged auxiliary engine. A comfortable seat, stronger mudguards, luggage rack, regular lights, maybe an index, and the electric scooter is ready, with which not the cool guys (or me) will race down the mountain, but Uncle Pista goes out to the lake to fish and Aunt Mari runs away going to the store to buy eggs, or going to work without breaking a sweat or getting tired.
So the bottom line is that electric scooters are no longer just knocking on our door, they are already in the pantry along with the Russians, as Imre Sinkovits would say.
At this point, I will move on to the second part of the introduction, which is about getting a little confused.
I am confused as to why there are so many people whipping up the rules, based on which some of the electric bikes are called electric bikes and others are called mopeds.
The situation is that an electric bicycle can have a maximum power of 300 watts and the assistance can work up to a maximum of 25 kilometers per hour. Plus, it can't even have a throttle, which means you have to turn the pedal if you want to move (unless there's a slope in front of you). But I ask, isn't a bicycle a bicycle because it has to be pedaled? Well, right!
The other important thing is that the top speed in an environment where traditional bicycles also travel may not be good if it exceeds 25 kilometers per hour. Because a collision between a bicyclist using an electric drive speeding at 45-50 kilometers per hour with a conventional motorist at approximately 20 kilometers per hour can easily be fatal.
Further questions are raised by the fact that if we can accept that a vehicle that consumes petrol and emits smelly gases is accepted as a moped without any problems, that we take out insurance on it without any problems, without any questions, that we put on a crash helmet without any problems, if we sit on it, then a similar why do we feel this is an exaggeration for a capable electric vehicle?
It can't even be argued that because this one has a pedal, that one doesn't, because then what should we call the poor old Babettas? Well, right!
In other words, even one word has a hundred endings, I can't find a rational explanation why a powerful motor-driven vehicle, capable of traveling at up to 50 kilometers per hour, should be allowed on the cycle path without any kind of license or insurance among the traditional bicycles. And anyway, even with these, it is not certain that they belong there.
The vehicle discussed in today's article will be like this. It's strong, everything is well equipped, and that's why I don't call it a bicycle anymore, nor do I call it an electric bicycle. It is indeed a scooter, an electric scooter, and should be treated as such. There is no need to whine about why there are strict rules, it is necessary to understand that this is the right way, that is the way it is.
A moped should indeed be seen as a full-fledged means of transportation, one that can take uncle Pista fishing, aunt Mari to the store, or you to your workplace in downtown Pest without pedaling.
One more important thing at the end of this chapter. In order to be able to take out insurance for the DRVETION AT20, you will need a "chassis number", that is, in our case, a chassis number. There are bikes that require insurance, but in the absence of the frame number, you cannot get it. The AT20 is not like that, it has a unique identifier, which means that the insurance goes smoothly.
Unpacking and assembly
The introduction is clearly over, let's get into the usual parts! In the case of the DRVETION AT20, we find something interesting right in the package, namely that the battery comes in a separate box.
I can't say whether this was just my privilege (because it arrived almost before the start of distribution) or it will be the same for all customers later on. If so, then the reason might be that the weight of the two boxes is already more than the maximum weight specified by most courier companies, so it is cheaper to take the package in two.
According to the factory data, the net weight is only 25,5 kilograms, and the total weight is 30 kilograms, which, knowing the bike, I mean the scooter, is surprising. On the face of it, I would guess more. This surprised me, because it was easy to take out of the box, understandably, surprisingly easy!
The installation itself was actually simple, except for one thing. We have to put the seat and the battery in place, we also have to screw in the steering horn, and we also screw the instrument cluster in place. In addition, the first indexes are the ones that are dismounted, it will be our task to fit them in their place.
While installing the handlebars, I noticed that the grips have a factory-made thread for mounting mirrors. A small attention, for which I give a big red dot to the manufacturer!
During installation, I encountered only one problem, and that was screwing up the instrument. I have already scolded everyone for their ancestry, but especially the person who invented this. Already knowing what a fucking structure the DRVETION AT20 is anyway, I don't really understand why they couldn't include a 5 mm longer screw that could have been used to screw it together.
I tried to tighten the clamp by hand, but it didn't work. Then I tried with combination pliers, that wasn't enough either. The pipe clamp came, that didn't help either. In the end, in my anger, I cut the rubber ring that goes under the clamp in half crosswise, so the screw was long enough to pass through the clamp and the fastener could be pulled together with it, the instrument also stands stable.
At the end of the installation, the usual things remained, checking the screws, checking the brakes and transmission and inflating the wheels. Even in the case of the DRVETION AT20, there was only enough air in the tires, which is sufficient for transportation.
Paper form
Unsurprisingly, the paper form reveals that what was described in the introduction holds true, that is, an electric bicycle is not much different from an electric scooter. That is, from a moped, in case anyone is familiar with it.
The frame is made of aluminum, it is foldable medium, so it can even fit in the trunk of a medium car. This practically means that the DRVETION AT20 is 173 x 56 x 120-135 centimeters when opened, and 90 x 46 x 75 centimeters when closed. I think this is an acceptable size.
I have already written the weight, you can count on 30 kilos of everything. The wheels are 20 inches, the tires are the FAT type, i.e. 4 inches wide. The size of the ribs and cams is somewhere halfway between the urban and off-road types. Front and rear disc brakes, mechanical.
What is above average and already shows the nature of the scooter is the maximum load capacity of the structure, since the DRVETION AT20 is certified up to 100 kilos instead of the usual maximum of 120-200 kilos.
So, if Uncle Pista has a big beer belly and takes it fishing, it's no problem for his vehicle.
With these data, there is room for a completely frank front shock absorber, which can be adjusted and locked. In other words, it will be comfortable to roll with it both on asphalt and on the dam on the dirt road when we visit Comrade Pelikán.
We also have a gearbox, the usual seven-speed Shimano Tourney.
The electric system of the scooter is also not average. Since this is no longer an electric bike, it is not a problem that the motor is not 300, but 750 watts (the maximum power is 850-900 watts), the torque is 75-80 Nm. The electrical system is 48 volts instead of the usual 36 volts, and the battery has a capacity of 15 Ah. Pay attention, because there is a unit with a capacity of 10 Ah, which has a much smaller range than this one, although it is also cheaper. At the end of the article, I will provide a price, link and coupon code for both versions.
What I must point out is that the battery is made of Samsung (21700 50E) cells. With this, I immediately took the wind out of the sails of those who insist that only electric vehicles starting at a million forints are usable, because they have a reliable battery. Well, it is in this one too.
The battery has a factory-specified maximum range of 40-55 kilometers in pure electric mode, and 60-90 kilometers with pedal assistance. The maximum ascent we can climb is 30 degrees, which is quite an impressive figure. The maximum speed is 45 kilometers per hour.
Among the items to be highlighted is the vehicle's instrument panel, which covers an extremely cheeky, colorful display unit, naturally displaying all important data.
So now a few more things that make up the bicycle-scooter borderline.
- The first is that there is a rear light, which is unusual for Chinese electric bikes, to put it mildly.
- The second is that there is an index (direction indicator) at the front and back, which can be switched on from the steering wheel.
- The third is that a rather large and rather bright projector reflector is installed instead of the usual bicycle front lights.
- The fourth is that we get REALLY good mudguards, which will protect us even in bad weather and rain, that is, we don't arrive at the workplace with a thick black stripe from our ass to the back of our head showing where the wheel hit the mud and water.
- The fifth is that there is a trunk with a spring fastener that looks like a very heavy load. There is no information on how much it can hold, but it is not the usual max. We get a wire frame that can withstand 20 kilos.
There are also completely familiar things, such as 5-speed motor assistance and three modes of transportation (electric, assisted and purely pedal). Among the manufacturer's data, they indicate the existence of the CE certificate, which I can't really place, because as an electric bicycle it certainly does not meet any certification, since, as I wrote above, this thing is much stronger and much faster than an electric bicycle. Of course, mopeds may also need the CE certificate, I don't know that.
It is a fact that there are minimum requirements for mopeds, such as a reflector on the spokes (cat's eye), a red rear light and a front light of adequate strength (I can't say how bright it is off the top of my head). All other information is wrong, i.e. mopeds are not required to have a brake light or an index. If we look at it this way, the DRVETION AT20 even exceeds the prescribed minimum requirements.
Experiences
Where do I start. This question is always difficult because I have to write about so many things, or because I can't write about anything. This second stage is above for the DRVETION AT20.
In other words, I simply cannot report any bad experiences with the DRVETION AT20.
However, there are a lot of good things. Let's start with portability! When folded, there is finally a lower support on which it rests when folded, not the chain wheel touching the ground. There is a convenient carrying tab at the base of the seat tube, which is really right around the center of gravity, so you can carry the 30 kilo structure as comfortably as possible. Of course, only if you have to, because 30 kilos is not enough.
Due to the perfect placement of the carrying handle, it can be easily lifted into the trunk of a car.
It's so much easier that the battery can be removed with one movement, it also has a handle, so you can carry it in one hand and the bike (or scooter) in the other, so the little one weighs only 25 kilos.
The seat is quite wonderful. I rolled quite a few kilometers with the DRVETION AT20, but not once did I feel that my seat wanted to come down for a rest. Anyway, the seating position is the same as that experienced with the usual large FAT bikes. That is, it would be the same if it wasn't a scooter.
The thing is, it's a scooter, and it looks more like a scooter, so no one will look at us with surprise when we sit on it if we don't turn the pedals. The good news is that if you don't want to, you don't even have to pretend to ride a bike, so just lower the seat to a comfortable height, put your feet on the pedals and hit the gas!
Don't tire yourself with rolling, it's unnecessary!
I also turned a little only when it was so steep that the machine started to slow down, otherwise I let the electric motor take me out of the world. The top speed was not below me anyway, the motor could not accelerate my 100 kilos to 45, it ended up between 37-39, which I think is more than enough.
In any case, I found that the third gear was much better for me instead of the fifth one, because even there the engine drives up to a speed of 36 kilometers, that is, I am hardly slower than the maximum, but less electrons are consumed from the battery, that is, in exchange for the speed of a few kilometers the distance that can be covered on a single charge is longer.
I didn't have any problems with the brakes, they gripped well and didn't even squeal. At the same time, as with the previous 750 watt bike, this would be the one I would replace here as well. It's not that the mechanical one is bad, quite simply, you can get a complete hydraulic system from China so cheaply, and the hydraulic brake is so much better that the replacement is well worth it.
As I wrote above, there is also a shifter on the DRVETION AT20. The thing is, I switched it to maximum speed on the first start, and then I never touched it again, because using the electric drive, it has no role. I didn't even have to switch on the few uphills, because the 750 watt motor pushes like a snow shovel.
Speaking of the engine and the pull, I have to mention a very, very important thing, which is the throttle response.
With many electric bicycles, there is no possibility to accelerate immediately, only when we have reached a speed of 5-6 kilometers. It's also bad that with many electric bikes, nothing happens in the tenths of a second after pressing the throttle. This is bad because if you have to start at an intersection or enter a roundabout, while there is no half-hour break between cars, then you need a quick gas reaction.
Well, the DRVETION AT20 has it. I wouldn't say that the peak torque is immediately available at the start, but it builds up relatively quickly, and up to a speed of 30 kilometers the acceleration is approx. it is like in the case of an average petrol car, which we do not push out, we just accelerate comfortably (watch the video at the beginning of the article!).
So the DRVETION AT20 holds its own in traffic, especially in an environment where we have to use it in, say, a congested, rush-hour environment. Obviously, on a road where cars drive past us at a speed of 70-80-90 kilometers, the journey is no longer so comfortable.
Everyone is curious about the range. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to get a good time, it was cold throughout the test. On the day of making the video, I actually froze to the seat in a snowstorm. I'm writing this because there's a good chance you can get more out of the battery on hot summer days than I did.
During the test lap, I didn't turn a single pedal, only the electric drive worked. On the instrument panel, 10 of the 4 units of the voltage indicator remained, but when going uphill it was more, there were only two. It is good to know that these instruments do not show the capacity, but the voltage of the battery, so we see a lower value under load than when we stop with our vehicle.
Well, the bottom line is that in this cold weather, I drove 26 kilometers using only electric drive. During this time, six of the 10 units on the odometer ran out, so I think there was still 5-8 kilometers of cocoa left in it. It is important that I am approaching 100 kilos, so in the end the measured value is not bad.
If you're lighter than me and you don't use it in a snowstorm, then 40 kilometers seems roughly achievable in pure electric mode.
Summary
Short. The DRVETION AT20 is a really cool little electric scooter, I just love it, too bad it doesn't fit in my garage anymore!
Longer. The DRVETION AT20 is a great electric scooter that is comfortable, dynamic, and I think it looks good too. Franko reflector in front, wide tires, good shock absorption and a very comfortable seat. The seating position is also great, the instrument cluster is easy to read, and it is quite unusual that the color panel is not only useful, but also looks good.
The indexes are yellow, not red, which is also good. The back index could be a little brighter, but it doesn't show up very well in the light. The first index is better, but it does not flash, but indicates with a running light. So it's not XNUMX% either. Fortunately, as I wrote, the index is not required for mopeds, so let's just say that at least it's there, at least it works, but for my part, I recommend that you also use your arm to indicate the direction, it shouldn't be a problem (or buy a stronger one for pennies from a Chinese store).
The DRVETION AT20 is therefore not a bicycle, but a scooter, that is, a moped. It doesn't even want to look different, and in my opinion, whoever wants to sell it as a bicycle is making a mistake, because it isn't. It's an electric moped and it knows everything a moped should know. It takes you comfortably from A to B, you don't have to turn the pedal, you're not noisy and you don't make a stinky fart, so you can drive into places where you can't with a gasoline fart. In traffic, on the road, it also holds its place perfectly well among cars.
All in all, the DRVETION AT20 will be a good choice for those who want a durable scooter with a very good battery, a strong, torquey engine, a decent range, which does not need to be filled at the gas station, and does not need to change oil and spark plugs. You plug it into the socket at home, then go, head to the store, the fishing lake or the workplace. Comfortably, without straining and in the summer without sweating.
As I wrote somewhere above, the DRVETION AT20 is available in two versions, with a different battery. The capacity of the cheaper ones is 10 - the bigger ones are 15 Ah. The smaller one is roughly HUF 50 cheaper. This will be suitable for shorter distances, or if you have the opportunity, for example, during the day, to charge the battery at work.
To purchase the 10 Ah version a BG3a2fcd use a coupon code (it gives you a HUF 20 discount), while for the 15 Ah version a BGDTAT2015 use coupon code. With this code, you get a discount of ~63 thousand forints, so the price of the moped will be 391 thousand forints. Another good news is that anyone who buys the bike in April will receive a bike package worth $200 as a gift, which includes everything from a pump to gloves to a safety lock.
You can buy the two versions at the links below, of course from the EU warehouse, fast delivery and without additional costs, with free delivery:
DRVETION AT20 48 V 10 Ah
DRVETION AT20 48 V 15 Ah
