Scotsman, the super-resistant carbon printed electric scooter

Scotsman

We wrote about Arevo Scotsman a few weeks ago to coincide with the launch of the crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. Now, a few days later, we had the opportunity to briefly interview Sonny Vu, CEO, of Arevo.

For the uninitiated, Arevo is a Californian company from Silicon Valley that has become famous for having its projects carried out in 3D printing and for the production of Scotsman and Superstrada, respectively the electric scooter subject of this interview and an innovative electric bicycle launched last summer.

The past of Arevo's CEO boasts decidedly important uses , was CTO of Fossil Group, founded Elemental Machines, AgaMatrix and Alabaster. There is also a collaboration with Microsoft Research with the achievement of a PhD at MIT.

The Scotsman electric scooter benefits from a unibody frame entirely molded in heat resistant carbon with dimensions and proportions carefully studied with each individual buyer. You got it right, Scotsman is made to measure and can be designed with a larger floor, higher handlebars and a more comfortable driving position.

Available in three engines (500, 1000 and 2000 watts of power) ) with or without double engine, it can also have four-wheel drive. In terms of safety, there is a double regenerative braking system and, in addition, a solid rear disc brake that ensures stopping in very short spaces. The installed batteries should be sufficient to travel a maximum of 110 km in low-power mode; in any case, the batteries are removable and therefore it is possible to extend their operation.

Among the most interesting features we undoubtedly find the dash-cam integrated in the handlebar, which allows you to resume your movements and can also be useful in the event of an accident. A small, perfectly integrated digital instrumentation is installed on the handlebar, which reports data on the speed and remaining range. Always-on GPS, Bluetooth and data connection complete the Scotsman's package of features.

Despite the high powers, the version marketed in Italy is designed to offer a maximum speed in line with our Highway Code; without limitations, the most powerful model is capable of exceeding 70 km / h. In this regard, we asked ourselves how the scooter would have behaved in a possible accident; below you can find the answer of the CEO of the company and, of course, a couple of other curiosities that we wanted to analyze in more detail:

Have you carried out any crash tests? How does the composite material behave in the event of a collision? Is it safe?

Our composite material is made of thermoplastic, non-CFRP thermoset carbon fiber which is more brittle. So our scooter is very shock resistant. Arevo is probably one of the very few if not the only electric scooter made of CFRP; generally only some parts are in this material.

Many countries are thinking of changing the current regulation, especially in the metropolitan area, to limit the wild use of electric scooters. How is Arevo positioned?

We have always encouraged users to use our solutions consciously. We currently have increased demand for Scotsman 2000, but those wishing to have a model that conforms to any regulation should purchase the 500 variant.

Electric scooters are often bulky and cannot be taken indoors in many public places like restaurants or shops, can the Arevo Scotsman be tied like a bicycle?

Yes, of course you can use a flexible lock (a chain) and lock the Electric scooter to something like a bicycle. However, there is also an electronic lock that is activated via the dedicated application. In any case, the device is interconnected and the user can always check the position via GPS / data network.

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Climate change: Strike action to disrupt UN Cop26 summit in Glasgow would be utterly unacceptable – Scotsman comment

Climate change is the most serious threat to the survival of humanity.

© The GMB's Gary Smith needs to realise just how important the United Nations climate summit in Glasgo...

And yet it is an issue that some continue to treat as if it is a minor issue or will somehow go away or is someone else’s problem.

Step forward Gary Smith, newly elected general secretary of the GMB, who has said he would support strike action during the United Nations’ Cop26 climate change summit, attacking the “hypocrisy” of the event being held in Glasgow, saying: “We’ve got filthy streets and kids going to school hungry, and here we are welcoming the world to talk about this big new future. I am deeply uncomfortable with that.”

Now, he may have arguments to make about public spending cuts and “crumbling” infrastructure. However, such issues pale into insignificance when compared with the pressing need to prevent the utter catastrophe of runaway climate change. The Paris Agreement was hailed as a landmark moment, but the problem is the world is failing to live up to the promises made at that summit.

Cop26 is an opportunity to put that right, to set the world on a course that avoids dangerous climate change, that we simply cannot miss. Only a fool fails to see that and only a reckless fool would do anything to try to disrupt it.

READ MORE: COP26: New report warns of impact of climate change on Glasgow

Astonishingly, Smith’s remarks are almost eclipsed in their idiocy by the soon-to-be-axed Scottish Qualification Authority, which wants school children taking the National 5 Geography course to learn about the “benefits” of climate change.

Exam candidates are asked to give “detailed explanations of the potential effects, both positive and negative” and, inexplicably, “equal consideration should be given to the environmental and economic benefits” such as “increased tourism in more northerly latitudes” and “improved crop yields”.

If we do nothing, within the next few decades billions of people could be forced to leave the hottest parts of the world by prolonged periods of 60-degree Celsius heat, a point at which the human body can no longer survive outside for more than about six hours. So any benefits from “increased tourism” would be inconsequential.

Thankfully, there are many who realise we must act. As Queen Elizabeth said while meeting climate change experts in Edinburgh, “it does mean we are going to have to change the way we do things really, in the end”.

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