Zero Motorcycles finally made a step-through. The LS1 is built for daily riders who want real speed, easy charging, and decent storage in a compact shape. It feels like a simple idea. Make a scooter that goes fast enough for city rings and lasts long enough for a full week of commuting.
Zero showed the LS1 at EICMA 2025 in Milan. The headline numbers are pretty friendly. A quoted top speed of 62 mph. An estimated 72 miles of range with two batteries. Add a third pack and the claim jumps to 108 miles. The launch price hovers around £4,500. Europe gets it first, with deliveries expected soon after the show.
Highlights at a glance
- Center-mounted motor that helps balance at walking pace
- Two swappable batteries in the floor. optional third pack for longer days
- Claimed 62 mph top speed
- About 72 miles of range. up to 108 miles with the extra pack
- ABS and traction control listed on the spec sheet
- Target price around £4,500. Europe first
Zero LS1 electric scooter performance and ride feel
The motor sits low in the frame, so the scooter feels planted when you creep through traffic or swing around a tight corner. Weight is spread across the deck because both batteries live under your feet. That gives the LS1 a steady, predictable feel. It should also make slow U-turns less wobbly. Nice touch for newer riders.
Charging is simple. Pop the packs out and bring them inside. Plug them into a wall socket. No hunting for public chargers on a cold night. With the base setup you get two batteries and about 72 miles to play with. That covers a lot of round trips. If you want longer days with less charging anxiety, the range pack adds a third battery and pushes the number toward 108 miles.
Top speed matters more than we admit. The LS1’s 62 mph claim leaves room to merge onto faster city roads without feeling like a rolling cone. It is not a highway machine. It is a city tool with a little extra headroom. That is the point.
Design and build
The frame keeps a clean step-through layout. You can choose under-seat storage or swap that module for the extra battery. Pick cargo or range. The dimensions look compact, which should help with lane filtering and tight parking spots behind a café or inside a courtyard. It is built for everyday use. Quick hops to work. Grocery runs. A lazy loop across town on Sunday.
Fit and finish look tidy. Lighting is integrated. The deck seems long enough for a relaxed stance. The folding latch appears straightforward. Nothing flashy. Just parts that do the job and do not fight you.
Safety and control
ABS is on board. Traction control too. These two features take the edge off slippery mornings and help stop the front from washing out when you brake hard on damp paint. You also get ride aids that feel familiar if you have seen Zero’s motorcycles. The aim is the same. Keep the scooter stable and give you a little buffer when conditions change.
Smart features
Zero focused the reveal on the layout and the batteries. So the software list is short for now. Expect the basics. A clear display for speed, range, and modes. Likely a few ride profiles for city, eco, and maybe a sportier feel. The brand’s recent bikes trend modern, so the essentials should be covered even if the marketing slides do not shout about them yet.
Price and availability
Zero’s target is about £4,500 at launch. The first wave rolls out in Europe. After that, more regions follow. If you live in a major city, you will probably see dealer test units and early owner photos first. That is usually how these things go.
How it compares
Think about the BMW CE 02. It tops out near 59 mph and carries a similar “urban plus” pitch. It often costs more though. The LS1 undercuts it on price and may stretch further on range with the third battery on board.
Then there is the NIU MQi GT Evo. It hits around 62 mph with a quoted range near 75 km. The LS1 matches on speed and, with the range pack, aims higher on distance. NIU counters with a mature app and a deep scooter network. So the choice is pretty simple. Pay more for established software and service. Or go with Zero’s fresh hardware, swappable packs, and a friendlier price.
Verdict
The LS1 feels like a practical first scooter from a company that knows electric powertrains. It is easy to step on. Easy to charge. Quick enough for the fast lane in a 50 km/h zone. The swappable packs make apartment life simple. The optional third battery gives you freedom to add errands or detours without planning your day around a plug.
If you want a sharp city runabout with real legs. put the Zero LS1 electric scooter on your list. If you need a huge dealer network or advanced app features. you might wait and see how support grows in the first year. Either way, this one looks ready for the daily grind.