It is said that design is intelligence made visible, and we are seeing this come to fruition in the growing number of electric vehicles hitting the market. It could be said that the “micromobility” segment, which consists of electric scooters, electric bicycles and other personal mobility devices, is one of the most lucrative when it comes to cutting-edge technology and design. Take, for example, the new P1 electric scooter from Brooklyn-based Infinite Machine.
The P1, not to be confused with the British manufacturer Mclaren’s supercar, is designed to be your urban mobility companion. Its styling conveys a futuristic feel thanks to its radical aluminum and steel structure. It also has a front grille that contributes to its unique aesthetic, although I think it serves more stylistic than functional purposes. The P1’s square, simplistic styling demonstrates its simple, user-oriented nature, something we’ll come to shortly.
As far as performance is concerned, the P1 is equipped with a 12-kilowatt electric motor with a power output of 16 hp. This puts it on the same performance level as 150cc scooters, curiously exceeding the power regulations stipulated for A1-compliant two-wheelers in Europe. Meanwhile, the scooter’s 72-volt removable battery system promises a range of up to 96.5 km on a single charge – more than enough for two days of city commuting. What’s more, the fact that it uses a removable battery means that it can be charged both inside and outside the scooter, which increases its efficiency.
16 hp may not sound like a lot, but it’s enough to guarantee a quick ride around town. To make things more user-friendly, the P1 has four riding modes: Eco, Performance, Turbo Boost and Reverse Mode (yes, they include Reverse as a riding mode). This makes it easy to set the power mode and get going, especially in unpredictable city traffic conditions. The P1 gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a useful app for remote tracking and theft detection.
Needless to say, the star of the show when it comes to the P1’s design is the modular storage system at the back of the scooter. Instead of using a top box like normal scooters, the P1 integrates a box at the rear – that’s where you sit when you ride around town. It has a modular system that allows you to attach external components for even more utility. These include mounts, luggage and even speakers.
Infinite Machine’s co-founders, Eddie and Joseph Cohen, believe that the P1 could revolutionize the way people get around in the urban environment. Dissatisfied with the utility offered by normal motorcycles and scooters, they decided to create their own solution. “We’ve been riding motorcycles and scooters for years, but we were fundamentally dissatisfied with what was on the market. That led us to build the P1,” Eddie Cohen told The Pack.