A year ago, we first mentioned the Taito, the first product of a young Ghent start-up. The three-wheeler e-scooter is now ready for sale and will cost €2 590, available through the Bike Republic sales network. That’s more than the initially suggested retail price of €1 750 back in 2022, but the company argues that the newcomer has quite a lot to offer.

The design features three larger (than normal) 10-inch wheels and (pneumatic) tires, a patented suspension system, and a hovering bamboo platform on a sturdy marine-grade stainless steel frame.

It has front, tail, and direction-indicating lights and a horn for safety, and it’s connected by 4G, offering an electric lock and a GPS tracking system in case it gets stolen. It even tries to scare off thieves with an integrated alarm when somebody tries to move the locked device. A dedicated Taito smartphone app has been conceived for that purpose.

Safety first

Lately, alarm bells have been going off regarding the safety of e-scooters and the many accidents that occur. Add this to the annoyance they can cause to other road users, and there are many cities already considering banning free-floating or shared e-scooters entirely.

Figures from the Belgian road safety institute Vias confirm that most accidents with e-scooters today occur due to unstable circumstances on bumpy road surfaces, wet surfaces, or pathways with potholes. In 2022, 1 715 accidents with injuries were reported, 63% more than in 2021. For sure, the real number is a lot higher because many accidents aren’t reported.

The Taito e-scooter promises to be much more stable to start with and allows the driver to lean slightly in bends like on a classic trike scooter, where you’re sitting instead of standing. The frame is made of space-grade stainless steel with a bamboo wooden deck to stand on, which absorbs vibration better. The scooter is engineered to transport up to 130 kg comfortably.

Taito integrated indicators in the handlebars and a special Rider Light in the rear mudguard for visibility. “This light will illuminate your back in bright red to make sure that everyone can see you from behind,” it says on its website. It is designed to be easily assembled and disassembled, and the young company provides spare parts and servicing that can be ordered in the dedicated app mentioned.

Different speed modes

That app allows you to connect to the scooter and unlock additional functionalities, such as different speed modes. The maximum speed is 25 kph, but it will be electronically limited in speed depending on local regulations.

The Taito S1 has a 10Ah lithium-ion battery offering a range of 30 km at full speed and +40 km in Eco-mode. The battery is ‘removable’ but not swappable. It’s rechargeable in about three hours. The power output is 500 W with a maximum of 1 000 W.

Taito for life

Taito Mobility BV started in October 2020 with mechanical engineers Nathan de Baets (COO), François Desmet (CTO), and economic engineer Jules Dobbelaere (CEO). In the Summer of 2021, the young start-up completed a € 700 000 seeding round and crowdlending.

The new company insists on the fact that its e-scooter is “built to last”, in sharp contrast with a lot of other players in the field, hence the hefty price tag. “The Taito is not afraid of all different weather conditions; every part is also reparable or replaceable in this modular design,” says CEO Jules Dobbelaere. “You buy Taito for life, while many other e-scooters are considered disposable products.”

Most of Taito is produced in Belgium or at least in Europe. That makes it one out of two brands of e-scooters made in Europe. It will be sold and distributed as of the 6th of April through the 25 shops of Bike Republic (Colruyt Group) and can also be serviced over there.

Wim Teerlynck, General Manager at Bike Republic: “We want to go for sustainable mobility, and e-steps can also be part of this, together with e-bikes. In some places or circumstances, e-steps can be preferred. In addition, we want to support an interesting Belgian story with an emphasis on safety, reliability, and driving comfort.”