Finally, we will soon be able to nip around the city, wind in our hair, sun on our back, while releasing the least amount of environmental pollution possible.

That solution is called the Vespa Elettrica – Italian for “electric Vespa” – which was released at the 75th International Cycle and Motorcycle Show (EICMA) by The Piaggio Group:

“Vespa Elettrica is not just an electric scooter, it is Vespa Elettrica,” according to a Piaggio press statement that accompanied the launch. The company added that it’s “a contemporary work of art with a technological heart.”

Although the concept was originally announced at last year’s EICMA, this time around we got a glimpse of the sexy new beast:

Keeping its iconic look, here’s what changed:

[An] added clean energy touch courtesy of a power unit that delivers a continuous 2 kW energy, with a peak power of 4 kW, for a performance that Piaggio said is “superior to a traditional 50cc scooter.”

It can go as far as 100 km (62 miles) in a single charge, which is doubled in the Elettrica X by coupling the electric motor to a power generator. It takes four hours to completely charge.

Of course, the electric scooter brings with it a silence that will help make cities less chaotic and more liveable, “while also countering pollution from an acoustic point of view”.

The Elettrica also comes with the “state-of-the-art Vespa Multimedia Platform, a multimedia system that allows the rider to connect a smartphone to the vehicle”:

This is managed through a novel man-machine interface, with full digital color instrumentation on a thin-film-transistor (TFT) liquid-crystal display.

Of course, the iconic scooter has never added near as much greenhouse gas as a regular car, but this is just one step closer to eliminating as much pollution as possible – and the Vespa Elettrica isn’t the only one of its kind.

If you’re keen to get your environmentally-friendly lifestyle on right now, head to the Vespa store close to the Cape Quarter – 22 Somerset Road – and browse their collection.

Once you have found your perfect fit, email editor@2oceansvibemedia.com about your potential purchase and we will hook you up with a discount.

For realsies.

Or just wait a bit. A global roll out of the Vespa Elettrica is set for 2018.

Then you can join in on their weekly Vespa rides and be a part of the club.

[source:futurism]