Tech
Segway May Have Just Created the Perfect City and Off-Road-Loving E-Scooter: The ZT3 Pro
Whenever a crew like Segway hits the market with a new product, you can bet your bottom dollar that the whole world will be watching. Well, that’s precisely what’s happening today with the official launch of the ZT3 Pro, Segway’s long-awaited off-road-ready machine.
Now, Segway is the sort of crew that needs no introduction. After all, they’ve been around for ages, since 1999, to be precise. So, being the proverbial grandfather of the urban mobility industry, you can expect one hell of a machine.
While official US preorders open on September 25th, this should give you plenty of time to compare and contrast this unit against others on the market. But let’s face it—this is Segway. If we consider that this crew has been creating all sorts of off-road vehicles in recent years, including ATVs and side-by-sides, you can feel that this ZT3 Pro is clearly something else.
Like any other electric kickscooter on the market, everything starts off with a carbon-steel frame. To give the ZT3 its strength, comfort, and capability, Segway has chosen to go with a full-suspension design, with a telescopic front fork and a rear swingarm with coils, but the real takeaway here is the six inches of ground clearance, perfect for riding over rough and uneven terrain.
Massive 11-inch (28 cm) tires also help to cruise over small stones and pebbles in your path effectively. But, for inner city use, the steering column also folds for easy storage or transport to and from the outer reaches of your city.
One aspect of the deck and steering column I want to point out is the looks and visual design that Segway has in store here. Honestly, this thing looks sick; the black body paneling is highlighted by a backdrop of red paint on the frame. I feel it looks pretty dang good and tells riders and on-lookers that this is a pretty serious machine, and it is; there’s some neat tech integrated into its functionality; we’ll talk more about that shortly. That deck can also handle 1,540 lbs (699 kg) of static pressure,
But first, we need to explore the power that this beast can spit out. One feature riders are bound to love is the peak 1,600 W motor strapped to the rear of the ZT3 Pro. With this little powerhouse, the ZT3 can attain a top speed just short of 25 mph (40 kph), more than enough to have you zipping around town to get to work or meet up with friends.
But remember, the reason for all this power is simply that the ZT3 is designed to handle off-road use. According to Segway, a 25% climbing slope is also the maximum for this EV. Those are some pretty good stats, if you ask me.
Frankly, that’s a pretty hungry motor for something this small, so to ensure a respectable range, Segway integrates a battery into the deck, and while they don’t mention just how large it may be, we do know that in testing conditions, the ZT3 can ride on for a maximum of 43.5 miles (70 km) on a single charge. If you’re up to date with the sort of range the current e-scooter industry can muster, you know that’s a very solid number. Segway does mention that riding the ZT3 in Sport mode will give us a peak range of up to 18.6 miles (30 km).
Now, this is Segway we’re talking about here, so expect to see some really neat tricks up the ZT3 Pro’s sleeve, and one of them is the upgraded BMS 2.0, giving us ten layers of charge protection and a Flash Charge ability that recharges the ZT3 with 6.2 miles of range in just 30 minutes. A full charge can take up to four hours. RideyLong software is also part of the mix, extending the range by up to 20%, all because of a controller algorithm.
Since this e-scooter is also aimed at riders who venture off the beaten path, Segway felt it would be a great idea to add traction (TCS) and stability control (Segride) systems to the ZT3, features that won’t just make for a smooth ride, but one that ensures peak safety in all riding conditions. Speaking of riding conditions, this beauty comes with an IPX5 rating for the body and IPX7 for the battery.
On the electronics side of things, the ZT3 integrates with Apple’s “Find My” feature and an app and LCD that helps you keep an eye on diagnostics at all times, even locking and unlocking your vehicle. Once headlights, tail lights, and brakes are added, we’re looking at an EV that weighs 65.5 lbs (29.7 kg) and can handle a payload of 265 lbs (120 kg).
At this time, pricing hasn’t yet been revealed, but Segway does have a discount for folks who show early-bird interest in the ZT3 Pro. Be sure to check that out. What are your thoughts on Segway’s newest urban and off-road-ready machine? Feel free to comment below.