For people on the move who like to take short rides without necessarily having to cover much ground, there is a new player in town. Harmful emission fuels from vehicles are also released into the atmosphere, which is why electric vehicles (EVs) are getting the spotlight these days. In fact, the new edition of the IEA’s annual Global Electric Vehicle Outlook shows that more than 10 million electric cars were sold worldwide in 2022 and that sales are expected to grow by another 35% this year to reach 14 million.
Despite the popularity of EVs, they’re also known to be heavy and would need a parking space. This can be an inconvenience for those who have smaller EVs, like e-scooters. To address this, start-up company ToMove is offering a new e-scooter called TOM that’s both environmentally friendly and foldable.
Just fold it
Although a foldable two-wheeler has been done before with Honda’s Motocompo, ToMove boasts their TOM as the first foldable e-scooter made out of eco-friendly materials. The foldable e-scooter is made from recyclable materials with a bamboo shell as its body. Riders can also customize the shell if they prefer a specific style.
TOM promises sustainable production by cutting plastic material by under 10%. Standing at 3.1 ft in height, the maximum speed for TOM is 27 mph (45 km/h), and the maximum weight for transport is 120 kg. The e-scooter runs on a rechargeable battery that can run for 50 km on a single charge. That’s enough for a quick grocery run. With the ease of transport, carrying the vehicle is as easy as dragging along a suitcase. Take it on the train, put it on the trunk of your car, or ride it on the street and fold it while you shop. With its compact design, it won’t take up much space even if it’s parked.
Future plans
ToMove also plans to offer a compatible app for TOM. With the app, riders can track the location of their e-scooters, be alerted if there’s any theft, and check the battery. App users can also request assistance or repairs via the app.
The TOM is in its final development, reaching €78,388 pledges out of their €8,000 goal on Kickstarter. As of writing, the product is anticipated to be out of the market soon, with the earliest estimated delivery around October to November this year. The foldable e-scooter is available for pre-order with prices starting from €1,589. Buyers may also opt to buy the add-on items like helmets and custom shells.
YouTube: TOM | The Electric Foldable Scooter Designed in Italy
Photo credit: The images used are owned by ToMove and have been provided for press usage. The feature image has been extended for aesthetic reasons.
Sources: International Energy Agency / Ben Purvis (Cycle World) / Kickstarter
