It seems that pretty much everything with wheels is going electric recently and the plug-in revolution continues  through the bike market with this: the Vespa Elettrica.

Vespa Elettrica

To be honest we’ve had electric scooters before, but the Vespa Elettrica marks the first time that the iconic Italian brand has ventured into the world of battery-powered two-wheelers.

On first glance there’s no denying that it is definitely a Vespa. However, you may have noticed external wise the smattering of blue lines on the wheels, seat and frame.

While everyone talks about ‘going green’, blue has come to signify environmentally conscious models more often. You’ll spot blue detailing on VW’s e-Golf, the BMW i3, Nissan Leaf; they just love that electric blue hue.

Vespa Elettrica front

Vespa Elettrica

Anyway, Vespa says that while the Elettrica will mark new territory for the brand, the actual vehicle remains a ‘true Vespa’. It insists that the style, agility, ease of use and riding pleasure will be just the same as with any other Vespa.

However, it will take fresh steps by incorporating the very latest in electric technology with the addition of ‘technological and innovative connectivity solutions’.

Vespa adds that the electric scooter will be ‘a perfect mix of excitement, technology and environmental friendliness’.

We wish we could tell you some juicier details like top-speed or miles per charge. But no, Vespa has opted against revealing any useful information like that.

There are fully electric mopeds already on the market that can reach 50mph with a 50-mile range on flat ground, costing under £2,000.

Vespa Elettrica on show

However, it is predicted that Vespa’s could retail for around $10,000 (£8,000). So it’ll have to be pretty special to justify a four-fold price increase.

The Vespa Elettrica will go on sale in the second half of 2017. That we do know for sure.

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