Kasea ZE1500 & ZE2000
The Electric Scooter Comes of Age
Electrically driven vehicles were nothing more than a dream a
decade ago. While it’s true there was a lot of testing going on,
technology had some catching up to do with our dreams in terms of
making electric vehicles a reality. At the turn of the decade we
finally saw commercially available hybrid cars hit the market
and electric bicycles found their way into reality then as well.
Finally technology has caught up to the scooter world with the Kasea
ZE1500 and ZE2000 electric scooters.
And while the ZE series won’t fully replace gas powered scooters
as we know them today, they fill the same needs that most smaller
scooters do. The ZE will get you too and from work if your home is
less than 40 miles away, they can be used by scooter rental shops,
they’re perfect for pit bikes, residents of retirement communities,
college students, RV enthusiasts and they make excellent short run delivery vehicles.
Eventually they could be put to use by Motorcycle Safety Programs
such as Evergreen Safety Council’s Scooter Beginning Rider Course
pending approval by the DOL.
 The ZE’s nearest competitor would be a comparable 50cc scooter
such as the Honda Metropolitan or Yamaha Vino, so let’s compare the
difference starting with ease of use. The ZE you plug into a charger
and charge it for 3.5 hours and it’s ready to go for 40 miles. The
50cc scooter you fill with gas and it has a range of 80 miles
before needing to be refueled. With gas at $2.50 a gallon, the ZE
cost about 10% as much to recharge. There’s no emissions so you ride
guilt free.
Photo: While the ZE's dash looks a lot like a scooter
dashboard, note the A/C reading on the left which tells you how much
output is being utilized and the power meter on the right similar to
a fuel level reading.
Maintenance? With a gas powered scooter you’ve got regular
tune-ups at $70 or more an hour. Areas that need to be addressed
include engine, carburetor, transmission and final drive. There’s
not much to the ZE other than replacing the tires, caring for the
braking system and an occasional battery replacement.
 And speaking of brakes, the Metropolitan features drum brakes all
around, not much stopping power, but the ZE series has impressive
disc brakes both front and rear. That’s just the beginning of it’s
level of performance. The ZE also has faster acceleration, larger
wheels and a longer wheel base, making it a much safer vehicle to
maneuver in traffic.
Battery technology has been one of the weakest links in the chain
to creating a practical electric vehicle. The ZE uses
state-of-the-art silicon batteries. They charge fast, weigh less and
have larger storage capacity than typical lead/acid or nickel/zinc
configurations.
Bt no battery lasts forever. With typical lead/acid or
nickel/zinc batteries you’re looking at replacing them every 7,500
to 10,000 miles. The ZE series has a lifetime of 20,000 miles. Show
me a small scooter with 20,000 miles on it and I’ll sell you a
bridge. The point here is, with the ZE even in heavy use the
battery will outlast the typical ownership period of the scoot.
 What about that drive system? Unlike previous electric scooters
to reach the market, the ZE series doesn’t use brush motors and belt
drive type technology, instead it goes beyond that to incorporate a
brushless motor directly at the rear wheel. The controller is German
technology allowing a top speed of 36-38 mph. The end result is less
weight, higher speed and less moving parts. Need a little boosts?
The ZE features a power burst button that can be utilized for 90
seconds per charge. This provides additional power to climb hills
faster and accelerate quickly when needed. No stock 50cc scooter can
provide this type of acceleration.
Photo: At left the controller system provides the necessary
information to the power plant which is designed directly into the
rear wheel.
In terms of storage capacity, the ZE offers all the same space as
it’s gas counterparts including a locking glove box and enough room
for a full face helmet under the seat. The rear seat rack will
accommodate an additional luggage box.
When we get down to dollars and cents, the ZE looks a little
pricey. $2,195 gets you the 1500 watt model, while $2,900 gets you
the 2000 watter. Looks like a lot on the front end, but the scoot
pays for itself with reduced fuel and maintenance costs and
depending of where you live and the mood of the US Government from
year to year, you may be able to take a few tax deductions for
owning a fully electric vehicle.
So while electric technology still has a way to go, the ZE proves
it’s here for the masses now.
PT/Winter 2006
For more information visit the
Kasea
website or call them direct at 206-762-7700
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