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Test-Riding the XOTO Three-Wheel Leaning Electric Scooter

The XOTO Electric Scooter For as all-encompassing as the laws of physics are in our daily lives, especially behind the wheel, humankind really has taken them for granted. We experience lateral and longitudinal G force so frequently that our nervous systems' internal G meter naturally adjusts when we accelerate, brake or corner too quickly. However, put only two wheels beneath us with a bicycle, scooter, or motorcycle, and we become quite cognizant of physics, as having less contact patch with the road could quickly spell disaster. But what about three wheels? Not only that—three wheels that articulate to seemingly break the laws of physics and provide way more stability than we're used to? Southern California company XOTO harnesses this concept in its debut Three-Wheel Leaning Electric Scooter, which sports one wheel on the front axle and two on the rear, and with with the goal of making scooters more accessible and fun. It's designed to give consumers a solid step up in safety and utility from the increasingly popular electric bike, yet offer a significantly cheaper and more environmentally friendly option than a conventional car. These folks may be onto something. The XOTO Electric Scooter The Build Tim Huntzinger, XOTO's founder/CEO, recently invited me out to pore over and test-ride the company's emissions-free steed in a big, hazard free environment. The first thing to know about the XOTO electric scooter is it looks like a normal scooter, save for the dual wheels out back. Otherwise, its overall shape, front end, and seat follow the same design that we've all become quite familiar with from the likes of Yamaha, Honda, Vespa, Piaggio, and more. A lot of parts aren't proprietary to XOTO; shock absorbers, wheels and brakes, as well as various frame components are common in the scooter industry, and common electrical components comprise its powertrain. The swing-arm rear suspension is hooked up to sturdy heim joints to harness its articulating movement with as much assurance and precision as possible, and engineered into the overall suspension is anti-dive technology that helps keep it upright and evenly balanced, front-to-rear, under hard braking. What's fascinating is all of this can easily be scaled up to future, bigger models in XOTO's lineup, expanding its market reach even further. The XOTO Electric Scooter at near-full tilt. Beneath the seat is a compartment with space for two 72V 30Ah lithium ion batteries. Range is rated at 45 miles per battery, so it's possible to net as much as 90 miles in one sitting. Factor in a four-hour charging time via a conventional 110-volt outlet, and users would be hard-pressed to need much more in a week's worth of commuting, grocery and errand runs, and so on. Top speed is limited to 45 miles per hour, but it's not rated for highway driving anyway. In fact, like any common sub-50cc scooter, a motorcycle license isn't required to operate it on public roads. The XOTO Electric Scooter Controls are simple and well laid-out, with a touchscreen for monitoring specific data and even operating a video camera, and a conventional screen for keeping an eye on speed, charge level, trip, and the odometer. The former's Bluetooth seamlessly connects to any common in-helmet headset for playing music via Apple CarPlay, as well as connecting a cell phone. Rear cameras with proximity alerts are also optional. Hand controls follow the same user-friendly theme, with a conventional twist grip to operate the throttle, turn signals, big side mirrors, and sturdy levers controlling the front and rear brakes. Unlike gasoline-powered fare, a switch on the right bar offers three power levels: 1 is the least powerful, 3 is suited for higher-speed streets. Overall dimensions are comfortable, too, as I found it to be a good one-size-fits-all package, with ample leg room, an upright riding position, and a comfortable handlebar width. Finally, the rear wheelbase doesn't extend beyond the handlebars' ends, so it's easily keep track of the whole unit's width while out and about. XOTO CEO/founder Tim Huntzinger riding the XOTO electric scooter. Going for a Spin Hopping on and blazing off down the road was a cinch, too. The parking brake was easy to disengage, then simply turn it on, twist the grip, and go. What's cool is it will stay upright with the parking brake locked, even with a rider on the seat—it's got a kickstand, but it's there as a safeguard rather than a necessity. Power comes from a compact motor attached to the front wheel—that's right, its front-wheel drive as opposed to bicycles and conventional scooters. Once underway, I found the XOTO incredibly easy to acclimate to. It's comparably very light to any internal combustion scooter, and I could tell that engineers took their time with throttle and power output calibration. It doesn't dump electrons if you twist the throttle too aggressively, but rather has a gradual torque curve that wouldn't overwhelm anyone, regardless of their comfort level. It's just right; riders wouldn't annoy anyone behind them, but wouldn't be in over their heads, either. Finally, the brakes were amply strong and ready for any potential split-second on-road decision—bringing the XOTO to a stop from 45 mph was not only brisk, but well-balanced and confident, too. The XOTO Electric Scooter The real 'wow' factor came when I went for a tight slalom, followed by hucking it into an especially tight turning radius. I got a real lesson in XOTO's patented self-stabilizing technology: it effortlessly gripped and supported my 200-pound stature with all the assurance. The experience became especially fascinating when I went to weave around at high-speed, as I could feel the rear wheels articulate and provide added support. This is where it really felt like it was breaking physics. With strong enough turning inputs, the rear wheels took turns splaying out on the Y axis, lined up more in succession with the front wheel than triangulated with it. At least it felt that way—the overall feel was a little bizarre, but in a good way—it makes a lot of sense when you see it in action, and it was very easy to get used to from behind the bars. The XOTO Electric Scooter Easy and Fun Green Transportation While XOTO keeps the intricacies of its technology close to its chest, Huntzinger was quite enthusiastic in explaining how it works and benefits society; taking it for a fun rip certainly proved his points. He himself has an extensive background in industrial engineering and has been a motorcycle enthusiasts for most of his life. 'The target audience is pretty broad,' Huntzinger said. He explained that even people with 10-15 years of motorcycling experience would like it, because something like a high-powered Ducati doesn't make for a good around-town rig. However, because the XOTO is so light, agile, fun-to-ride, easy to stop in an instant and above all easy-to-ride, it's appealing to all walks of life who are curious about environmentally friendly transportation. What Huntzinger and his team at XOTO have created in its three-wheeled scooter is quite cool. Standard retail pricing starts at $7,500, and the company also took part in Los Angeles' Electrify Expo in June—be sure to look for them at a future stop on EE's calendar. XOTO CEO/founder Tim Huntzinger and the three-wheel leaning electric scooter.