Written Review
I've never tried out a cargo scooter, and the folks over at Warehouse B in Lindon, Utah were kind enough to hook me up with a Hover-1 Alpha Cargo to try out. The Hover-1 Alpha Cargo exceeded my expectations in more ways than one, and I had a great time riding/reviewing it. Overall the biggest plusses were the large tires, comfortable seat and easy-to-read display, and the biggest drawback was overall lack of power/torque. Read on for a full list of the things l liked/hated, plus a range test and an acceleration/speed test!
Click here for the latest price of the Hover-1 Alpha Cargo.
If you are located in Utah, visit Warehouse B in Lindon for half-price (or less) refurbished models.
Specs
- Motor: Rear 300W (550W Peak)
- Speed: 16 mph (claimed), 15.23 mph (Freshly Charged Certified)
- Range: 15 miles (claimed), 13.99 miles (Freshly Charged Certified)
- Tires: 12" tubed
- Battery: 36V, 7.5A (270Wh)
- Weight: 49.3 lbs
Features
- LCD Display
- Pre-installed Rear Cargo Basket
- Integrated front/rear lights
- 4 speed modes (including "pedestrian mode")
Hover-1 Alpha Cargo - Things I Love
Tires
The tires on the Alpha Cargo are the perfect size for a smooth and comfortable (and safe) ride. Any scooter with tires smaller than 10-inches can be dangerous when hitting potholes or small bumps at any speed, and the 12-inch tires of the Alpha Cargo have no issues on multiple types of terrain. I also appreciated that the tires are air-filled, rather than solid, as many cheaper electric scooters have solid tires.
Kickstand
I love that the kickstand is mounted in the rear, rather than under the deck. Deck-mounted kickstands can sometimes be tricky to reach with your foot, but the rear-axle-mounted kickstand of the Alpha Cargo is a breeze to put down/up. It also is quite thick and robust, as opposed to the flimsy metal rods that come on most lower-priced electric scooters.
E-Brake
The e-brake automatically activates when you depress the brake lever, and provides excellent stopping power. It is neither too gradual nor too abrupt, and I found during my 14-mile range test that I didn't use the actual mechanical brake even once.
Folding Mechanism
The folding mechanism is super easy, not over-engineered, and seems sturdy and secure. While this scooter naturally isn't as portable as non-cargo scooters due to the seat + basket, the folding stem ensures you can fit this scooter comfortably in the back of any sedan/hatchback.
Half-Twist Throttle
Half-Twist throttles are one of the less-common options for electric scooters, but for the Hover-1 Alpha Cargo it is a great fit. It can be tiring to keep the pressure on the twist throttle for long periods of time, so the Alpha Cargo's cruise control is a welcome feature.
Hover-1 Alpha Cargo - Things I Hate
Speed
As useful as this scooter is, with the comfortable seat + basket, I just don't see myself riding this very much due to the speed. Most of the scooter trips I make are 3-5 miles, and while a 25 mph scooter will take you on city trips about as fast as a car will, a 15 mph scooter just seems to take forever by comparison. I wish they had put a 500W or 600W motor on this scooter instead of a 300W, and upped the top speed to the low or mid 20's.
Seat Height
One thing I don't quite get about this scooter: the seat height isn't adjustable. Not only is it not adjustable, but it is quite low. I am a 5'11" rider, not super tall, and it is significantly lower than the ideal height I would pick if I could raise the seat. I would recommend this scooter for riders 5'8" or under. It would also be a great fit for kids.
Mechanical Brakes
Although the E-Brake does work well, the Alpha Cargo has only one mechanical drum brake, which on its own doesn't provide a whole lot of stopping power. Since the scooter only goes 16 mph it's not that big of an issue, but if they took my advice and added a 500W motor I would suggest the addition of a rear drum brake as well.
Freshly Charged Range Test
- Tested Range: 13.99 miles
- Total Elevation Gain: 334 ft
- Outside Temperature: 48 degrees F
- Average Speed: 13.1 mph
Freshly Charged Speed/Acceleration Test
- 0-10 mph: 3.14s
- 0-15 mph: 6.48s
- 60 ft: 4.74s
- 330 ft: 16.93s
- 1/8 mile: 31.69s @ 15.23mph
- 1/4 mile: 61.32s @ 15.13mph
- Top Speed: 15.23mph
The Freshly Charged Take
All-in-all, I was very happy with this scooter. It's a practical scooter for anyone who doesn't need to (or doesn't want to) go any faster than 15 mph. I was impressed with the build quality, eye-catching display, large tires and general ease to use and ride. Pick yours up here from Hover-1's official store, or if you are located in Utah, head over to Warehouse B in Lindon to pick up a refurbished model for $225 or less!
Here is a video of my wife enjoying the Hover-1 Alpha Cargo scooter while I accompany her on my Begode EX30.
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