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Today we take a look at the popular mid-range offering - Evolv City. Find out how this compares to similarly priced scooters below.
If you live in the city and need an efficient and effective way to commute to work every day, then you need to check out the Evolv City electric scooter. It’s fast, it’s powerful, and it’s equipped with cutting-edge technology that is sure to impress even the most jaded scooter operator.
We recently had the opportunity to spend some time with the Evolv City and were nothing short of impressed with what this machine has to offer. There are a lot of great electric scooters out there. But there’s something truly special about what Evolv was able to deliver here. Could this be the next evolution of electric scooters? Read on to find out.
Let’s first begin by sharing our thoughts on the speed of this scooter. Simply put, it’s fast for daily commuting. Reaching top speeds of 22 miles per hour, the Evolv City is no slouch on the streets.
When you consider that the Evolv City is powered by a 350W motor, the speed and acceleration are actually very solid, meaning the efficiency of the motor is on point. The electric scooter feels snappy and responsive, making this an excellent go-to for anyone looking to save money on costly fuel by switching to electronic transportation.
This electric scooter is available at Urban Machina but it’s easy to draw comparisons to the Apollo Light and Zero 8. In terms of acceleration, maneuverability, and construction, these scooters share a clear kinship with one another. We’re quite fond of the former two scooters (as you can see in our reviews), and you can safely add the Evolv City to that list.
It’s certainly not the most expensive model out there, but it’s not exactly budget-friendly, either. In terms of pricing, we found that the Evolv City rests comfortably among our top-rated electric scooters.
With that being said, we believe the price to be very reasonable. Considering what you’re getting, the price is actually really great. But we’re getting ahead just a bit. Read on to find out why we think the price is just right.
Considering that you’re getting a 36V 10400mAh battery from LG, there’s little doubt that it’s reliable. If you’ve been keeping score, this is just shy of the Apollo Light’s battery capacity. However, the Evolv City is also available in an upgraded battery version (City Plus) with a 48V 13Ah lithium-ion LG battery that gives additional mileage. This battery matches the offering you’re getting with the Zero 8.
All three scooters did a fine job and went the distance without issue. If you’re looking for reliable performance with a decent price tag, the Evolv City won’t disappoint.
What’s more, you’re looking at a range of about 24 miles on a single charge. That’s quite nice, especially when you consider that most city commuting that takes place on an electric scooter averages in the range of 4 miles each way.
To say that you’ll have more than enough drive time to get to and from work is an understatement. During our testing, the Evolv City never once faltered in its ability to get us to where we needed to go.
This is one of the areas that the Evolv City truly shines. Both the front and rear are equipped with suspension springs that effectively absorb road vibrations and shocks.
The Evolv City takes an interesting direction in its tire selection. At the front, you have a pneumatic 8.5-inch tire and at the rear, you have a solid rubber tire. Given that most weight will be distributed at the front, it’s a smart design choice that successfully blends comfort and convenience. The rear solid tire is well-supported by the double springs and it takes away half the headache of worrying about flats and tire pressure only having one air-filled tire.
There’s definitely a fine balance between convenience and performance that Evolv was aiming for. By our estimation, they nailed it better than most. Bravo.
At 39 pounds, this isn’t exactly one of the most lightweight electric scooters out there. However, we don’t really mind the stocky build in this instance. The Evolv City is a stout scooter, to be sure. It’s very well constructed and incredibly sturdy.
When you’re commuting, this is crucial. You want to know that you’re riding a machine that will safely get you where you need to go and back.
And when you arrive at your destination and are ready to fold up your scooter, a one-step lever takes care of it. It’s convenient, easy-to-use, and it folds up into a compact unit for even easier handling and storage.
It unfolds just as quickly and easily as it folds, leaving you with an excellent travel companion for just about any situation.
The handlebars are retractable as well, which further adds to the portability despite the medium-heavy build.
You should note that the Plus version does weigh five pounds more (44 lbs) but that’s because of the larger battery and it’s an unavoidable trade-off of increasing the range.
With its excellent build quality, you can expect to have safe journeys as you travel. It’s actually one of our favorite aspects of the Evolv City. Being so well-made, you feel a sense of safety and security as you ride. And for many people, that’s invaluable.
As we tested this electric scooter around town, we wanted to be sure of its safety. We applied the brake in some purposeful scenarios to test its mettle. The rear drum brake was very responsive and provided excellent feedback upon activation.
Once again, it’s hard not to compare it to the Apollo Light. Both electric scooters perform remarkably well in safety tests. If you’re concerned about your speed and want an electric scooter that won’t fuss with you when you need to slow your roll, the Evolv City delivers the goods.
When you factor in the tough, durable body with the high-quality braking system, you’re looking at a serious contender for commuting, fun, or any other travel.
We also like the LED lighting. Both the headlight and tail lights look sharp and do a great job of lighting your path. While not enough to illuminate the road ahead of you fully, it’s more than enough to make sure others in traffic will see you which is the most important part.
Right off the bat, you get 14 days to decide if this is the electric scooter of your dreams. After that, Urban Machina gives you an impressive 12-month warranty with the Evolv City. When you’re used to seeing some electric scooters only having 3-month warranties (like the Gotrax ones) – or less – 12 months is really quite good.
Although the Evolv City is a fuzz higher in price compared to the Apollo Light and Zero 8, it’s hard to knock it for anything else. As such, we’re giving the Evolv City a solid 7.9 out of 10. If it were just a little more affordable or bought a few different features to the table, it would be right up there with its brethren.
So, who needs this electric scooter? Name it. It’s a versatile unit that is sure to please anyone who is looking for a fun and efficient way to get around. Ideally, commuters are the most sensible audience. But that’s not to say the Evolv City is only for a niche market. It’s a well-rounded performer with smart design choices to ensure you get the optimal riding experience.
This electric scooter is a lot of fun no matter how you look at it. If you want a reliable machine that won’t break the bank, the Evolv City won’t let you down.
Have you got your eyes keen on the EVOLV brand but feel the EVOLV City doesn't quite live up to the power you need? Check out our review of the incredible EVOLV Tour XL-R instead.
| Top Speed | 22 mph (35 km/h) |
| Range | 25 - 35 km (City) / 35 - 45 km (City Plus) 16 - 22 mi. (City) / 22 - 28mi. (City Plus) |
| Charge Time | 6 hours |
| Weight | 18 kg / 39 lbs (City) 20 kg / 44 lbs (City Plus) |
| Load Capacity | 120 kg (265 lbs) |
| Battery Typ | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Brand | LG |
| Battery Specs | 36V 10.4Ah - 374.4Wh (City) 48V 13Ah - 624Wh (City Plus) |
| Tires | Front: 8.5-inch pneumatic Rear: 8.5-inch solid rubber |
| Suspension | Front: Single spring Rear: Double spring |
| Ideal Tire Pressure | 50-55 PSI |
| Motor Continuous Power | 350W |
| Motor Peak Power | 720W (City) 1100W (City Plus) |
Rasmus is the creative lead at ERideHero. As a jack of all trades, Rasmus handles videography, photography and review write-ups as well as website development. He has tested more than 100 personal electric vehicles of all sorts across more than 6,000 miles.
