X

Zoom around seated with the foldable Stigo L1e e-scooter (hands-on)

Designed to look like a bicycle, this two-wheeler powered scooter is easy to learn and fun to ride.

Aloysius Low Senior Editor
Aloysius Low is a Senior Editor at CNET covering mobile and Asia. Based in Singapore, he loves playing Dota 2 when he can spare the time and is also the owner-minion of two adorable cats.
Aloysius Low
2 min read

The electric-powered Stigo may look like a bicycle, but take a closer look and you'll see that it's a foldable electric scooter. No need to balance upright -- just perch on the saddle and coast along the pavement.

Despite its bulky appearance, this Estonian-built scooter is surprisingly light at 13.5 kg (or about 30 lbs), the weight of most foldable bicycles. Powered by a 250-watt motor, it easily hits a top speed of around 25 kph (15.5 mph). It comes in two variants, with a range of either 25 or 40 km (15.5 or 25 miles).

Stigo L1e e-scooter will take you places

See all photos

While testing the 25 km model, I was only able to clock around 20 km before I began to worry about running out of juice. That could have been because I was zooming at maximum speed for most of my journey.

A second trip of about 8 km at a slower pace left me with about 70 percent battery remaining, which made more sense. I tested the local distributor's demo unit, so it's possible the battery charge was already worn down by previous test drivers here in Singapore.

stigol1e05.jpg
Enlarge Image
stigol1e05.jpg

The folded Stigo is so compact that you won't need to feel guilty when you haul it onto your bus or train.

Aloysius Low/CNET


The Stigo rides more like a bicycle than a standing e-scooter. It's easy to learn, but the front handle bars are a bit too low and aggressive. I would have preferred them to be set higher for a more comfortable ride, but I soon got used to the position. The throttle control is smooth -- unlike some other e-scooters, you don't go from barely any power to a full-speed charge with just a tiny twist of the throttle.

Key features

  • Top speed: 25 kmph (15.5 mph)
  • Range: 25 km (15.5 miles) or 40 km (25 miles)
  • Weight: 13.5kg (around 30 lbs)
  • Folds up for easy storage

Folding and unfolding the Stigo is ridiculously easy. It takes about two seconds to lock the front wheel into position and pull up the seat. Packing the scooter away is simple too, making this one of the quickest folding designs I've encountered. When folded, the Stigo is easy to roll around, thanks to two small trolley wheels at the base of the now-standing e-scooter. And you don't need to worry about someone stealing it, as the vehicle is useless without the smart key you use to turn it on.

All in all, the Stigo makes for a fun ride, but only if you have the dough for it. It costs 1,700 euros, which converts to approximately $1,900, £1,450 and AU$2,500 respectively, or you can pay S$2,000 here in Singapore. There's no distributor yet in the US or Australia, but Stigo will deliver to the UK.

stigol1e08.jpg

You'll need to tap to unlock to use the Stigo.

Aloysius Low/CNET