Many readers ask us if it is worth buying a car or motorcycle in a big city when alternative mobility services such as car sharing and motorcycle sharing are available. And if we are talking about plug-in vehicles… For this reason, it may be pertinent to answer with the test of an electric motorcycle like Nerva Exe, an amazing GT scooter at a very interesting price.
Because? Because it is a machine with L3 approval that seeks to fill a market niche that may be more in demand than it seems, such as a ‘real’ motorcyclewith benefits equal to or greater than many of 125 cc, therefore far from battery-powered mopeds that do not go through 49 km/h approval and with a price that does not skyrocket, as was the case up to now.
So, if you think about it a bit, you will quickly realize that there is not so much offer in the current market. To begin with, this is because the electromobility it’s going a lot slow down in the motorcycle world than in passenger cars -which, with everything and with that, also has a much lower rate than would be desirable-.
And it is curious, because for the initial disbursement of acquisition, availability, benefits, parking space and consumptionit can be a vehicle that pay off much faster than another four-wheeled plug-in that also has the Zero Emissions label. And all, in an environment where you still can’t recharge as easily as you should, but that will change soon.
Therefore, before starting the Nerva Exe testKeep in mind that it pretends to be an alternative to move daily around the city and its surroundings, without gasoline, smoke, noise or restrictions in Low Emission Zones, for twoto exceed 100 km/h, with good load capacity under the seat, some aerodynamic protection and payment facilities.
And nerve is a new brand that is the result of the collaboration of several Spanish and international companies, among which is the manufacturer BYD (responsible for batteries) through its service partner in Europe as a partner in this initiative that also intends to have -another novelty- dyes solidarity in projects of collaboration when it comes to giving a second life to those ‘batteries’.
For this first contact, they summon me to a central area with restricted traffic in the center of Madrid. The first impression is very goodbecause although all scooters, in general, seem ‘the same’ to you, we must recognize some attractive forms in which an effort for functionality and aesthetic taste is appreciated, without forgetting that we are still talking about a pre-series.
The shapes and feel are typical, as we said, of a GT scooter, since the chassis -tubular- It is larger than in a basic and reduced one of 125 cc or less displacement of the many that abound out there and that certainly remain small when you have to carry a passenger, you want to put some things in the trunk or, simply, you need to circulate at a bit more speed.
In front and behind, in addition to a generous shield -to which glove compartments could be incorporated in the final production model-, two large LED optics for front and rear lighting, as well as a comfortable two-seater seat under which you have plenty of space for a full face helmet and other type jetthe documentation and two charging cables.
Serial It brings the type 2, alternating current for normal domestic plug. And the socket goes where the filling socket for the gasoline tank would be located (between the platforms that act as footrests, which also have a space at the top to put your feet up and change positions, but which are not very functional due to their elevation, especially if you are tall, like me).
By turning the key, which gives access to both elements (the trunk opens like this and by means of a button), the scorecard greets with two large analog clocks for speed and rev counter-energy recovery and a generous but less used TFT color screen on which to see, again, the speed at which it circulates, the battery charge and the partial and total odometer .
I push to remove the kickstand, adjust the mirrors (well located and effective) and press the brakes and the P button with the thumb of my left hand and the ‘ready’ alerts that, even if nothing sounds, all that remains is to turn the right fist to start the walk. Forward! It has three driving modes on that same right side (Eco, Normal and Sport) with a simple slider button.
But actually the first thing I do after all these operations is to place the vehicle in the proper position with the help of a handy reverse button That helps a lot when maneuvering while sitting on the motorcycle, especially when you have to park on a hill, even in any of the spaces reserved for motorcycles in any city.
The driving modes button allows you to choose them in real time, to go to maximum performance or to battery saver, which also has its own self-protection methods to ensure optimum longevity, which we will now conveniently break down to give you an idea of what technology is capable of delivering in what is intended to be an owned vehicle.
I start with the ECO mode and the behavior is really good and enough to get out of the traffic lights quickly and with some security -especially on cobblestone, in the rain or on a slippery surface of any kind (remember that this motorcycle lacks traction control)-, wander around and spend what minimum, although it must be taken into account that its maximum speed is 56 km/h.
On ring roads, it doesn’t hurt to go to the normal mode to reach the regulatory 70-90 km/h -depending on the section- make overtaking safely… And reserve Sport mode to reach 120 km/h on the highway or face much more twisty secondary roads and uphill slopes. Everything, with the precise information in the table, so that later there are no surprises.
As the kilometers pass, the truth is that the behavior of the Nerva Exeequivalent to a 125 cc (that is, it can be driven with more than three years of car license B), I like it better. It accelerates very well thanks to its 9 kW of power (48 Nm of torque at 1,720 rpm) without the chassis doing strange things when accelerating, braking or cornering; the hum is low and does not bother.
According to official figures provided by the manufacturer, specifically this motorcycle is capable of going from 0 to 50 km/h in 4.5 seconds (from 0 to 80 km/h in 10.5 seconds). In addition, its net power of 9 kW can reach a 12 kW peak. And this means that its maximum speed is actually 125 km/h, which is very useful in this segment so as not to be ‘sold’ on the road on time.
All this is transmitted from an electric motor to the rear wheel directly by belt, with the complement of a tilting and a semi-tilting. Thus, the suspension, although a little stiff and dry for potholes, speed bumps, bumps and cobblestones, proves more useful as soon as one picks up speed and needs poise in faster corners and on the open road.
The choice of tiresalthough somewhat strange a priori due to its surprising measurements (15″ in front and 14″ in back), it is not inappropriate and the combined braking system (front discs and rear disc) is efficient and progressive, although this tester will always prefer proper ABS even in the city, even if it makes costs a bit more expensive -or at least, if he had it as an option-.
And it is here, in the general stability of the vehicle, where we have to highlight that this is one of its strongest points, due, in part, to the low center of gravity of the batteries and to the components and their manufacture, one of the components of which the manufacturer of this motorcycle is most proud.
Data and curiosities of BYD batteries
It is time to stop and load to stop at this element, which is the axis on which this mobility proposal revolves that we tried Today the electric motorbike Nerva Exe and why other arguments to those already mentioned turns out to be a amazing gt scooter that has a very interesting price both acquisition and leasing.
Batteries (non-removable) they are not lithium-ion, but lithium-ferrophosphate (LFP). They say from Nerva that “thanks to their greater thermal stability, they degrade more slowly, offer a greater number of cycles and greater autonomy over the years, they cannot burn or explode thanks to the same quality and are much more sustainable, since they lack cobalt , manganese, nickel and other toxic materials”.
The set of the two batteries used adds up to a total capacity of 5.76 kWh with a voltage of 76.8 V and 75 Ah capacity. The weight of both is 60kg (of the total of 202 Kg scooter weight). As for the recharge timeswith the standard standard charger (Schuko A type 2, 1.8 kW), 3.5 hours are needed for 80% and 4.20 hours to reach 100%.
Also, batteries (which have a maximum autonomy estimated at about 150 kmdepending on your driving) have a self protection systemin such a way that the motorcycle automatically only offers Normal and Eco modes when the load drops below 25% and Eco (‘turtle mode’) when it drops below 15% (at a maximum of 68 A or 65 A – if the energy reserve drops below 10%).
And finally, another of the issues in which Nerva wants to differentiate himself from the competition: the second lifespan that you want to give to the batteries that have to be replaced will be destined to one of the different cooperation projects available, which the user can choose and whose telematic evolution is also expected to become a reality.
Nerva Exe prices: buy or rent?
Finally, we can’t finish this test of an electric motorcycle like Nerva Exe, (in Matt Gunmetal Grey, Pearl White or Brushed Aluminum) not to mention why this GT-scooter It seemed to us that it has interesting prices. Without going any further, because it can be acquired, without counting on the local aid that exists for electromobility, for a total of 6,930 euros.
But at the same time, even though the batteries have a 5-year guarantee, the customer who prefers to make a lower initial outlay and not worry about performance can buy the motorcycle for €4,480 and have the batteries rented for 5 years unlimited mileage, for a monthly fee of €39.90.
