If you’re looking into buying your first electric scooter or just moving away from internal combustion-powered scooters, the NIU MQi+ is the one you’ll want to check out. It’s sleek, stylish, and significantly more popular than other players in the market. With social distancing in place and air pollution hitting record highs, it’s time people should look for an eco-friendly alternative, for all good reasons.

Sleek and stylish…

The overall design language of the scooter is quite similar to other NIUs. And we aren’t complaining. The NIU MQi+ is smaller and lighter than its big brother, the NQi-Series. The basic design of the MQi+ is the tried-and-tested flat-floor scooter design, similar to the other NIU scooters. That makes it easy to hop on and go.

The front fascia gets NIU’s signature Halo LED headlamp, LED blinkers that are attached to the handlebar, and an all-in-one LCD dashboard. Everything from the button consoles to the grips looks and feels high quality. The MQi+ has a built-in Bluetooth connection that allows you to connect to it through an iOS or Android app. With it, you can get everything from battery monitoring to ride history and several tell-tale diagnostics.

The side profile exudes a modern look with a curved design. The embedded side light adds to the additional safety of the scooter and it also gets cleverly concealed footrests that can be easily deployed for pillion comfort. Similarly, the seat is cushy and comfortable. The rear section really stands out with its distinctive and iconic LED integrated taillamp. For storage, you only have a hook and storage box to carry your belongings as the battery pack eats up the under-seat space.

For someone who is colour conscious, NIU is offering the MQI+ in five colours – white, red, blue, grey and black/red.

How it rides?

The NIU MQi+ electric scooter is easy to ride and won’t require a license because it’s classified as a ‘moped’. However, we recommend you to wear a helmet, and possibly pads and guards.

There are two riding modes –Eco (Mode 1) and Performance/Sport (Mode 2) – and an overall top speed of 45 km/h. If you want to start off slowly with smoother, slow acceleration, you can go with Eco. Once you get a feel of it, the second mode is where the actual fun is. Mode 1 maximizes the scooter’s range, and Mode 2 gives it more torque from start. This is made possible by its 1500 Watt motor with continuous power and a 31 Ah battery.

There’s something addictive about riding an electric scooter. Once you get a little momentum, the ride starts to become a breeze. Acceleration is fun and very quick but tame enough not to be scary. Mode 2 provides the zip in case you want to get out ahead of traffic or merge over quickly if necessary. Also, consider Mode 2 for better hill-climbing capability. There’s also cruise control that enables you to ride smoothly at a maintained speed, making it super simple to manoeuvre.

And then, of course, there’s the elephant in the room. The range…On a single charge, you can get up to 75-90 km of travel. However, if you ride aggressively, switching between dual modes, you’ll have to economise. Nevertheless, with the available range, the MQi+ can take you the distance when it comes to daily commuting. It will take you where you need to go. And it has a 300mm wading height so you don’t have to worry if you get caught in the rain.

While the performance from the MQi+ is acceptable, one mustn’t expect it to be thrilling, especially in comparison to mechanical scooters. The only issue is, like many electric scooters, the power delivery is cut off the instant you press the brakes. Also, the deck is not long enough for tall individuals to plant their feet comfortably.

Looking for a little more performance? Check out NIU’s N-series electric scooters.

The ergonomics…

The riding position is upright as on most scooters. However, the MQi+ feels light due to its diminutive structure. The MQi+ sits on an all-steel chassis that has been optimized for urban riding. The cradle is made up of only three plastic components that mesh with the curved frame. Simultaneously the titanium aluminum alloy swing-arm ensures a stable and confident ride.

The MQi+ promises much as a cool urban commute for beginners. It offers light handling and a precise steering feel. Acceptable corner manners are also offered. Likewise, ride quality is good. Although the 10-inches front and rear tires add to stability and riding comfort, they aren’t very inspiring when it comes to emergency braking. Also, the petite frame makes the cornering iffy. Braking duties are precisely handled by dual-piston hydraulic disc brakes on both ends. It also has front and rear spring suspension, which allows the scooter to ride smoothly even on bumpy surfaces.

The best feature…

For us, the best feature of this electric scooter is the removable battery. Benefits? You can just take the battery rather than the entire scooter to charge it. You can see your charge level even when your battery is disconnected from the scooter and app with the embedded power display.

The NIU Battery Pack utilises 117 cells of lithium-ion technology and it is powered by the NIU BMS (Battery Management System) that connects each cell in parallel to create a robust core battery pack. The NIU BMS ensures real-time monitoring of voltage, current, the temperature of the battery, and many more. The battery is protected from impact by an aluminum alloy casing.

The MQi+ takes about 6 hours to fully charge from empty on a normal household socket, by the way.

An impressive little thing?

The lightweight MQi+ is that entry-level electric scooter for new riders to build confidence. The MQi+ isn’t the ‘ultimate’ electric scooter on the market – it’s not the quickest, and it likely doesn’t have the longest range – but in case you’re searching for a reasonable and dependable electric scooter with better acceptable performance, then the NIU MQi+ can be an ideal choice for you.

Priced at Rs 2.39 Lakh, it can be your very first electric scooter for commuting or catching up with your friends. And, it’s probably the most environment-friendly upgrade you can bring to your garage right now. NIU electric scooters have seen a huge boom in popularity over the past couple of years in the Nepalese market, and with so many benefits, it’s easy to see why, for all good reasons.

Warranty/Support

NIU has sold 7 million scooters worldwide and the company has been in the Nepalese market for about 4 years now with over 800 units scooting around the Nepali streets. NIU Nepal has achieved many milestones in the past year – the first E-scooter to get a licensed number plate, and the first to get financed by 8 A-class commercial banks. NIU has definitely become a game-changer in the Nepalese electric two-wheeler market.

The NIU MQi+ has a warranty covering components like the battery and motor for 24-months. Similarly, the battery has a lifecycle of 5 years/unlimited charging. Although NIU is primarily based in Kathmandu, the company has its authorised dealers in Pokhara, Chitwan, and Birgunj.