eMoped opens electric scooter sharing network

Fancy the idea of buying an electric scooter but not sure if you're eager enough to sit for your motorcycle licence or shell out the money for one? Maybe consider a quick trip to Brisbane.

The Queensland capital city has just seen the launch of a new 'motosharing' company, eMoped, which allows users to rent electric moped scooters by the minute.

The scooters are supplied by Chinese maker Super Soco, and under Queensland state legislation you don't need a motorcycle licence to ride them - anyone with a C or RE driver's licence can rent one of these electric scooters for a small fee.

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The mopeds are said to be capable of up to 80 kilometres of electric range, and to ensure you won't run dry, the smartphone app won't allow you to book one that has less than 15 per cent charge. The company has a team of battery swappers that will replace depleted batteries with fully charged ones, as the battery packs are easily removable from under the seat.

The Super Soco CUX scooter has an electric motor producing 2.8kW and 115Nm, and a top speed of 50km/h. Charing takes about seven hour on a standard plug. It has disc brakes front and rear, and weighs 70kg with the battery.

Rates for hiring an eMoped starts from $1 to unlock, then $0.48 for every minute spent riding and $0.15 per minute when 'paused' (in traffic or parked but still on hire). If you prepay, you can receive lower per minute riding rates: $25 means $0.45/min; $65 means $0.40/min; $195 means $0.36/min.

The company claims that cost covers insurance for riders, and experienced riders are allowed to carry a pillion if they meet the requirements set out in the terms and conditions. Two helmets are stored with each vehicle, too.

Aleix Serratosa, eMoped director, said the company chose the Super Soco CUX electric scooter because it fits the requirements of Australia's first ever moped sharing platform.

"CUX is the perfect inner-city moped. CUX is easy to ride, 100 per cent electric and emits 0 per cent emissions. Super Soco has built the CUX to our required specifications and our eMoped mobile apps have all been developed for Australia's networks. The team at eMoped is excited to bring customers a truly flexible, environmentally friendly and economical way to manoeuvre the city streets of Brisbane," said Mr Serratosa.

Queensland's laws are more open than other states in Australia, where it is required for anyone riding a motorcycle - electric, petrol or otherwise - to hold a specific rider's licence.