Egret are promoting their new One scooter by teaming up with a Formula 1 component manufacturer. The Hamburg-based company also promise to deliver Egret’s best ever e-scooter. We tested it to see if its performance was limited to the flat roads of Hamburg city centre, or if it could also impress in the hilly area around Stuttgart.
Walberg Urban Electrics GmbH are the company behind Egret. Founded in 2011, the Hamburg-based company specialise in manufacturing e-scooters and have three different models in their portfolio. The Egret Pro is an urban model, the Egret X/X+ is for off-road adventures and the Egret One is an all-in-one scooter designed to cover both.
We chose the Egret One because the manufacturer claim it sets new standards in terms of drive, brakes, tires and functional integration. Equipped with a 35 Nm motor, a 672 Wh battery and tires from Formula 1 supplier Pirelli, the Egret One is designed to deliver. With a weight of 25.40 kg and a maximum payload of 125 kg, this e-scooter priced at € 1,799 holds a lot of potential. But can it live up to the hype? We have the answers.
The Egret One scooter in detail
Egret manufacture their e-scooter’s handlebar from magnesium, and present the Egret One in a sleek black finish. Measuring 120 cm in length and 62 cm in width (including the handlebar), this electric scooter can be adjusted in height from 108 cm to 130 cm. Thanks to its infinitely height-adjustable telescopic handlebar, the scooter can accommodate riders from 120 cm to 205 cm in height. In addition, the Egret One scooter has a folding mechanism that allows the handlebar to fold away effortlessly for easy transport on a train or storage in a stairwell.
The Hamburg-based company’s model is fitted with a 35 Nm torque electric motor with a rated output of 500 watts, allowing the rider to choose between three riding modes: Eco, Tour and Sport. It is powered by a 672 Wh battery located under the 17×48 cm footboard. According to the manufacturer, the scooter has a range of up to 65 kilometres. The Egret One is charged via a charging port located on the side in front of the footboard, which is protected from dirt and grime by a somewhat fiddly rubber cover. A sturdy kickstand allows the Egret One to be safely parked for charging. Secured with a key, the battery can also be removed from the scooter for external charging. To do this, simply release the safety lock under the charging port and lift up the footboard.
As a bonus, the manufacturer have included a 3 Amp USB 2.0 charging socket at the top of the handlebar. The motor system is managed by a control panel on the left-hand side of the handlebar, where the plus and minus buttons are used to adjust the speed levels. Integrated indicators on ends of the handlebar are activated by the two arrow buttons and protected by rubber covers. The built-in horn can also be activated from the control panel and emits a clear sound from the speaker located in front of the handlebar. A central 3.5″ TFT colour display on the stem provides a comprehensive overview of battery status, riding modes, range, current speed and other relevant information.
The Egret One scooter is accelerated by a thumb throttle on the right side of the handlebar. The hydraulic Schaeffer B-Safe rim brakes bring the scooter to a halt and, according to Egret, promise a full 5,000 kilometres of braking performance without maintenance. Housed in the two-piece rim, the brakes are effectively shielded from the elements. The brake cables run behind the display, through the stem and inside the frame to where they are needed. The 11″ pneumatic tires, developed in collaboration with F1 specialist Pirelli, have been specially designed for the Egret and are housed in wide mudguards. The collaboration with the racing expert has obviously paid off here. As in F1, the Egret Signature rear light triggers the brake light function when decelerating and also serves as a frame for the integrated number plate. The manufacturer have also added a 40 lux front light, complemented by reflectors on the sides of the rigid fork, to improve visibility in road traffic and increase the rider’s sense of safety.
The integrated anti-theft device also provides security. The scooter’s lock system shares a key with the battery compartment. In addition, the handlebar is prepared for the cable lock Egret mate by tex-lock, which is available in the accessories shop for € 139. Egret also offer an app that displays other information such as charging time, current range, riding mode selection and lock activation. As a nice touch, the Hamburg-based company have installed a small holder on the handlebar of the scooter for carrying a bag.
If you want your scooter to be ready for commuting, including road registration and insurance, Egret offer a package that includes a number plate with an insurance sticker and a year’s third-party insurance for € 35.90 – at least in Germany. If you’re not sure whether the € 1,799 One scooter is right for you, and you live in Germany, you can also lease it as part of a subscription package.
Find an overview of all manufacturers’ models here:
Tuning tip: Get the cable lock Egret mate by tex-lock for € 139 from the accessories shop for added theft protection
From 0 to 20 in? – The Egret One scooter on test
Standing on the scooter’s wide footboard provides secure footing and ample legroom. The height-adjustable handlebar offers flexibility, allowing riders to adopt either an upright and comfortable posture or a more sporty stance, depending on their preference. To hit the road with the Egret One, simply press the switch at the top of the handlebar, select the desired riding mode, fold up the kickstand and you’re ready to go.
To activate the motor support, you need to push yourself off the ground once or twice, as you would on a normal scooter, while simultaneously pressing down on the thumb throttle. Once you get used to it, the Egret One accelerates with considerable power, especially in Sport mode, so brace yourself!
The Egret One may not have the speed of an F1 racer, but it can certainly keep up with a small car for the first few metres. With its 500 W motor and 1,000 W peak power, the Egret One delivers a lively acceleration that gets the rider rapidly to the 20 km/h limit. This gives you the feeling that the scooter is capable of more, and you will want to push it beyond the speed limit.
The Pirelli tires are the only suspension element on the Egret One scooter and offer a high level of riding comfort. Even at high speeds, you never get the feeling of slipping and the tires provide plenty of grip when cornering. Before the tires lose grip, the large kickstand grinds against the ground.
If the road suddenly becomes steep, the electric scooter takes you up the incline quickly. Even heavier riders do not have to dismount or climb at a snail’s pace. If you want to slow down, you can either take your thumb off the throttle or push the handlebar forward and the scooter will automatically stop accelerating. If you pull the handlebar back towards your body, the assistance starts again. The handlebar obviously has a certain amount of front and back play to allow this feature to work.
The integrated Schaeffer B-Safe rim brakes perform reliably and scored well on our test ride with sufficient braking power and good modulation. The wide mudguards at the front and rear offer good protection in wet conditions, and the holder on the handlebar can easily carry a full shopping bag.
On the road, the indicators built into the handlebar ends are a nice touch and better than having to use hand signals. However, the indicator controls aren’t intuitive to find, which takes your attention away from the road. This is particularly challenging at junctions, where the priority is to assess who has the right of way. Also, deactivating the indicator requires additional attention, and the weak light signals raise doubts about their effectiveness.
When it comes to storage, the folding mechanism is impressive, allowing the scooter to be parked in almost any corner or stowed away under the bed. Overall, the Egret One scooter is in a league of its own when compared to the competition. While other manufacturers compete on price and compromise on quality and handling, the Egret One maintains superior standards.
Who is the Egret One scooter for?
The Egret One scooter is aimed at short-distance commuters who are looking for a small, low-maintenance urban transport to get from A to B in a short time, and are willing to pay a higher price. The main objective is to cover the last mile between the station and work or home. With its robust motor, the Egret One not only appeals to urban dwellers navigating flat city centres, but also serves as a reliable option for those living in more hilly cities.
Conclusion on the Egret One e-scooter
The Egret One scooter impresses on the tarmac with its powerful acceleration and excellent riding comfort. Smart features such as the folding mechanism, integrated indicators and height-adjustable handlebar, as well as additional services such as MOT approval (in Germany) and an insurance cover, complete the package. Despite being more expensive than conventional e-scooters, its quality sets it apart.
Tops
- good acceleration
- useful features, such as lighting system, folding mechanism
- easy to use
Flops
- expensive
For more information visit my-egret.com
Words: Benedikt Schmidt Photos: Mike Hunger
