Suzuki E-Address: Is This the Start of Something Electric?
Image Credit: Suzuki Motor Corporation.
Suzuki has finally dipped their toes into the electric scooter pool with the all-new e-Address. And about time, too! I mean, we've all been waiting with bated breath, haven't we? I was starting to think they were going to stick with gasoline-powered putt-putts forever. Better late than never, right?
Before you start picturing yourself zipping around on this little electric wonder, let's talk specs. This isn't exactly a Harley-Davidson LiveWire. We're talking a 5.4 horsepower (4 kW) motor here. That's about enough to get you to the grocery store and back, maybe, but don't expect to be breaking any land speed records. It is an electric moped – perfect for scooting around town, not so much for a cross-country road trip.
Image Credit: Suzuki Motor Corporation.
The battery is a 3.07 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) unit, which, for those of you who aren't battery nerds (like me!), means it's a bit safer and longer-lasting than your average lithium-ion battery. It's the tortoise to the lithium-ion hare – slow and steady wins the race. The range is a claimed 54.1 miles, which is probably closer to 40 miles in the real world. And charging? You're looking at a leisurely 6.7 hours to get a full charge. Not exactly a quick pit stop then.
Here's a thing – the battery is fixed. No swapping here, which might be a bit of a pain for those city dwellers who don't have a handy charging spot. Imagine having to park your scooter on the sidewalk and run an extension cord out your window. Not exactly glamorous, is it? Or safe. Most other electric scooters in this class offer swappable batteries, which is a much more convenient way to live with an EV.
Image Credit: Suzuki Motor Corporation.
But it's not all doom and gloom! The e-Address does have some nifty features. Keyless entry? Check. A fancy 4.2-inch TFT LCD screen with smartphone connectivity and navigation? Check. LED lights? Check. Even a reverse gear for those tricky parking situations! And we even get regenerative braking, which is a fancy way of saying the scooter charges itself a little bit when you slow down. Every little bit helps.
Suzuki has also included motorcycle-like drive modes. Eco mode for maximizing range, mode A for increased regenerative braking, and mode B, which is supposed to mimic the feel of a gasoline-powered scooter. I'm intrigued. I'll reserve judgment until I get a chance to try them out myself.
Image Credit: Suzuki Motor Corporation.
Storage-wise, you've got 3.7 gallons in the under-seat cubby, which is enough for a helmet and a bag of groceries. The seat height is a very approachable 30.1 inches, and the scooter weighs in at a reasonable 269 pounds. So, it should be easy enough for just about anyone to handle.
The e-Address comes in three color combinations: Metallic Mat Black No.2/Metallic Mat Bordeaux Red, Pearl Jade Green/Metallic Mat Fibroin Gray, and Pearl Grace White/Metallic Mat Fibroin Gray. Fancy names, aren't they?
The big question is, when can you get your hands on one of these? It's slated to hit the Indian market in April, and the UK sometime in late 2025. As for the US? Don't hold your breath.
The e-Address might not be the most exciting electric scooter on the market, but it's a solid first step for Suzuki. I hope this is just the beginning of a whole new era of electric Suzukis. Maybe, just maybe, we'll see that electric Hayabusa sooner than we think. Now, that would be something.
