Alfawise M1 Test - E-Scooter in M365 look

General information about the Alfawise M1

Alfawise has not missed it and visibly adapted the design of the M1 Scooters to the Xiaomi bestseller. Even the red accents on the fork were adopted 1: 1. In the details, however, there are minor differences, which I will go into in more detail in the further course of the review. The scooter is constructed as follows: 

tires

The electric scooter uses two 8 ½ inch rubber tires. The front wheel is filled with air and consists of a reinforced rubber. The rear wheel is a "flat-less" solid rubber tire. According to Alfawise, the scooter can be driven for a few kilometers even with a flat front wheel.

Engine and dual braking system

The 280 watt brushless motor and the anti-lock braking system (E-ABS) are integrated into the front wheel. There is a visible dummy brake on the rear wheel. The braking process is indicated by a brake light on the protective cover of the rear wheel.

Stand board and battery pack

The footboard, T-handlebar and fork of the Alfawise M1 are made of metal. A rubberized surface ensures a secure stand. Inside there is a LG18650 Li-Ion battery pack (30 cells) with a capacity of 280 Wh. The charging socket and fold-out stand are on the side of the footboard. The base cover is the same as with the M365 made of plastic. According to protection class IP54, the Alfawise e-scooter is protected against splash water.

measurements and weight

Dimensions and weight of the Alfawise M1 are identical to the Xiaomi brand model. When unfolded, the scooter has a size of 108 x 43 x 114 cm and a weight of 12.5 kg. When folded, the 49 cm high scooter can also be carried while carrying.

Handlebar and control

The control center of the scooter is integrated in the T-handlebar. In the middle is the display with battery, driving mode and speed display. The switch-on button is located below the display, which is also used to control the driving mode (normal or ECO). The rubberized handles are removable. The brake lever and bell are located on the left handle. The stepless acceleration switch is located on the right handle. In order to be able to use the scooter in the dark, there is a small LED headlight on the handlebar. It should be noted that the handlebars are not height-adjustable!

Processing and delivery

The scope of delivery is manageable. In addition to the scooter, a suitable charger, two Allen keys and an instruction manual are included. The quality control leaves a lot to be desired. According to the instructions, it should also contain four screws. Three of the screws were already pre-attached to the scooter. Another screw, in this case the hinge screw, was missing! The processing quality is below that of the Xiaomin M365, Above all, the joint of the handlebar feels in spite of identical construction and tightening the screws much more unstable.

Practical test of the Alfawise M1

driving behavior

The Alfawise M1 offers a to Xiaomin M365 similar driving behavior. Unfortunately, the instability of the handlebars becomes noticeable very quickly, and it wobbles slightly when driving. This can be remedied by a little hot glue that you inject directly into the folding mechanism.

Due to the high weight of the scooter provides a proper grip. The tires feel comparatively hard, but can also cope well with uneven sections. The steering angle is not too big, so that curves are pleasant to drive.

braking

Like the Xiaomi Scooter, the Alfawise uses a dual braking system consisting of E-ABS and a rear disc brake. The braking process felt a bit hard at first, but after a few kilometers it felt pleasantly grippy. The E-ABS prevents the front wheel from locking suddenly. The braking distance is pleasantly short. Energy is fed back into the batteries through brake recuperation.

Speed, incline and battery

The scooter is powered by a 280 watt brushless motor. The acceleration is infinitely variable. If the accelerator switch is pressed for more than 5 seconds, the speed-maintaining "Cruise Control" is activated automatically.

In standard mode, the maximum speed is 25 km / h. Gradients can be climbed up to approx. 15 °, depending on the weight of the driver. If you hold down the power button on the scooter, it will automatically switch to the other driving mode. In ECO mode, the top speed is reduced to 15 km / h. The active driving mode, the remaining battery and the speed can be seen on the LED display. Unfortunately, the display is very difficult to read outdoors and in sunshine. Monitoring via app, as it is with the Xiaomin M365 possible, the Alfawise does not offer scooters.

The battery of the Alfawise scooter consists of 30 LG18650 Li-Ion cells with a total output of 285 Wh. A Battery Management System (BMS) controls the condition of the battery. The range of 30 km specified by the manufacturer is clearly too high. The range achieved in the test was approx. 15 km. The actual range is strongly dependent on the individual driving behavior. In ECO mode, the scooter has a range of around 18 km. It takes just under 6 hours to fully charge the e-scooter. 

Where can you drive?

The so-called “Ordinance on the Participation of Small Electric Vehicles in Road Traffic” may come into force in spring 2019. Then e-scooters can also be used on public roads in Germany under tight conditions. The scooter must meet the following requirements: 

• The e-scooter must not drive faster than 20 km / h.
• The e-scooter must be equipped with a steering or handrail.
• The e-scooter must be equipped with a front, a rear and a brake light, as well as with two independent brakes and a bell.
• The e-scooter is insurable and must be marked accordingly.

There will not be a license for driving licenses and helmets. Since the scooters are classified in the future as electric bicycles, they may be used on bike paths and if not available on roads.