NIU MQi GT packs a surprise when it comes to charging
ONE of the biggest hurdles to owning an electric vehicle in a city is finding somewhere to charge the battery. That is not a problem for the NIU MQi GT moped.
It has as all MI the looks and easy riding style of another modern moped but its biggest trick is you can lift out the two battery packs and take them with you to charge up. No need to search for a charging point that’s available or to install a wallbox at home.
Whether you’re in the office, meeting friends, or relaxing at home, you can charge up the GT’s batteries so you know there’s plenty of power when you next head off on this scooter.
Each of the two batteries weighs 11kg, so about the same as a big bag of shopping. They just plug into a normal three-pin socket and can be left to charge overnight or a fast charger can see them ready for action in four-and-a-half hours.
With the batteries easily slotted back in place, the GT has a range of up to 46 miles. It might not sound like much but that’s more than enough for most moped journeys around town. If you need more, there’s an extended range version that can travel up to 55 miles between charges and it also has a higher top speed of 45mph.
The GT we rode has a top whack of 28mph, which is plenty for zipping through city traffic. Like all electric vehicles, there’s instant power the moment you turn the twist grip throttle, so the GT feels very brisk off the line.
It gets up to speed at about the same rate as a 50cc petrol scooter but without any of the noise or vibrations as the Bosch electric motor delivers seamless power.
There are three riding modes to choose from and you can do this as you ride along. The Dynamic mode is the standard choice or you can select Sport for a bit more instant response. Pick E-save and it reduces the top speed to 18mph while extending the battery range.
We found Dynamic to be ideal for getting about Edinburgh on the GT borrowed from Ross Anderson at NIU Edinburgh. The moped has a keyless ignition, so you just hop on, press the Ready button and get going.
The 14in wheels of the GT are bigger than many mopeds, so it soaks up the bumps easily while retaining the agility and tight turning circle that scooter riders love.
It also has strong disc brakes that make it simple and safe to stop in any situation.
A plushly padded seat offers fine comfort for the trip to work and there’s more than enough room to carry a pillion passenger. The only downside to the GT is the batteries sit where a petrol rival would have a luggage storage box, so you’ll need to remember a back pack when you head to the shops.