Electric scooters are more common overseas, but with current petrol prices, it might be time to switch. Pure Electric has entered the country via distributor Core, but you’ll have to visit the company’s own website to nab one. Or drop by an unspecified retailer.
It beats walking or burning dead dinosaurs to go to the corner shop, sure, but you’ll need at least R9,000 to avoid wearing out your soles. If you opt for Pure Electric’s most expensive model, it’s considerably higher.
Pure fun?
That would be either the collapsible Pure Flex or the X McLaren model, both of which retail for R23,000. The range on the first offers a mere 52km on a charge, with a top speed of 25km/h. Choose the McLaren-branded version, and you’ll get the same top speed and a range of 62.4km. But you do get stabilised steering, which is rather cool.
If you’re going for distance, then even the Pure Air5 Pro (R11,000) has better range. That’ll clock in at over 66km on a charge. The Air5 Ultra (R17,000) has a positively studly range of 93.8km on a charge. That could get you to the office and back, if not for one or two minor (okay, not so minor) issues.
Core product manager Christian Zanin said, “Our focus is on making well-designed, reliable technology more accessible to South African consumers. By partnering with multiple retailers, we can meet customers where they are and bring products to market that combine quality, innovation, and everyday usability.”
There is, however, a catch. The company’s website points out that “It is currently only legal to use an e-scooter on private land with the permission of the land owner. It is illegal to ride an e-scooter on a public road, cycle path, bridleway or pavement.” You might get away with it. Plenty of folks flout road rules in South Africa. But it’s a lot harder to take your car away and stick it in someone’s boot or back seat.
