Vespa Elettrica coming to the United States for 2019

The iconic Vespa looks pretty much the same today as it did in the 1940s. Engines got bigger, but the basic formula continued through the decades. Then, like Harley, Vespa announced an electric model. It’s called the Elettrica, and double standard or otherwise, I think that’s the nicest name I’ve heard for an electric vehicle yet.

Vespa just announced that they’re coming to the United States for 2019. So what do we know about these little macchinas?

Vespa calls the Elettrica a “natural stage in an extraordinarily logical journey,” which is sure to send Spock running to his local Vespa dealership. Unlike Harley, with their claims of a distinctive-sounding electric motorcycle, Vespa’s emphasizing the silence of their electric offering. Driving the Elettrica is the “Power Unit,” which puts out 2kW continuous power, or 4kW peak. Vespa seems to have benchmarked the Elettrica against 50 cc scooters, namely their own Primavera, and the new electric model is supposedly superior in just about every way except top speed (not yet released, but the Primavera 50 does about 40 mph) and fill-up time.

A charging cable under the seat plugs into a standard outlet, and the lithium-ion batteries are fully charged in four hours. Vespa claims the batteries will operate at 80 percent capacity after 1,000 charging cycles, or roughly 30,000 to 45,000 miles. Vespa also guarantees a 62-mile range on a full battery, which is plenty for my commute, and maybe yours, too, if the speed limits don’t exceed the Elettrica’s. Opt for the hybrid Elettrica X, and you get an onboard generator for double the range.

The scoot gets two riding modes, plus a reverse gear, oddly enough. Ride mode, range, GPS, and other information are displayed on the TFT dash, which can connect to your phone, of course. The scooter comes in a silver-grey finish, with seven trim colors. All Elettricas will be built at Vespa’s original Pontedera plant, where their very first scooters were produced.

The electric Vespa’s biggest obstacle? Price. In a press release, they only said “The price will be in line with the high-end bracket of the Vespa range presently being marketed.” If that’s the case, the Elettrica will be at least $5,500. Wait, wasn’t the entry-level Primavera 50 the benchmark?

If electric scooters are your jam, you’ve got until early 2019 to decide if the Elettrica is for you. Almost zero maintenance, decent range for its class, classic good looks, and very cheap to run, but with limited top speed and sub-100 cc power at 300 cc prices. The whole product feels so Eurasian that I’m surprised we’re even getting them here. Then again, I thought the same thing about Honda’s CB300R, and that little bike was great. So who knows, especially without official top speed and price numbers?

Like Lance, I’m still convinced that scooters will have an easier time going electric than any other type of two-wheeler. Vespa’s attempt is among the most mainstream yet, arguably even more than Harley’s. The Elettrica is also the most aesthetically pleasing to my eyes. Still, it’ll take more than early adopters and Vespa diehards to call this scooter a success in America. Look for more details in our EICMA coverage later this year.