The Scuddy is neither a bicycle nor a classic e-scooter - nor does it want to be. On the contrary: the designers are focussing on a market niche, and doing so effectively. In order to further promote their product, the two marketing professionals successfully applied for an appearance on the start-up show "Die Höhle der Löwen" and proposed a spectacular and surprising deal to the judges: ten per cent of company shares for just one euro. The background: the young entrepreneurs were not interested in large investment capital, as is usually the case in this career show, but in contacts. They were interested in new sales channels and opportunities through Ralf Dümmel, the head of a large trading and sales company, and in the great publicity that event guru Jochen Schweizer had to offer them. And the calculation worked out: both Ralf Dümmel and Jochen Schweizer ultimately agreed to the deal with slightly different conditions.
Just a few months after the programme, Tim Ascheberg, one of Scuddy's CEOs, commented: "We have made a huge leap forward with Ralf Dümmel's support, especially in terms of distribution. We can now offer our products through completely new channels, be it in large supermarket chains, sales shows on TV programmes or online sales. But that, coupled with the publicity we get through Jochen Schweizer, is not all: we also had support in the development of a light model, which doesn't have the performance of our premium products and is not road-legal, but was launched on the market at a much lower price and is selling very successfully."
Crossing the Alps on an electric scooter as a PR campaign
The success of the e-vehicle naturally has its roots in the two creators Jörn Jacobi and Tim Ascheberg themselves. They went to school together, completed a degree in engineering and then went on to study business administration together, specialising in marketing - a perfect foundation for their business model. Around nine years ago, they realised that the market for light electric vehicles in Germany was still looking relatively bleak. Their core idea was a small, flexible, lightweight vehicle with a motor that could be taken on local public transport; the pair's business idea was born. With their business administration thesis, they consistently laid the foundations for their business start-up: "Markets in the field of electromobility - potential for success for start-ups". The fact that they understand their business is demonstrated not only by the Scuddy itself and the fact that they already broke even in 2014, but also by the way they market their scooter: They deliberately avoid expensive advertising and rely on intensive media work. They became known early on thanks to their presence on high-reach television programmes such as "Schlag den Raab". Or through somewhat crazy PR campaigns such as an Alpine crossing with their electric scooters. The success they now enjoy and the support they have received since their appearance on "Höhle der Löwen" are probably thanks to this professional and inventive development work. All in all, a good example of how even small start-ups can be successful in the mobility sector.
Test of the Scuddy e-scooter
But enough theory. What does the thing look like, how does it work, how does it ride? "A neat feat of engineering" is what goes through my mind when I look at the Scuddy, Premium Sport model, for the first time. Scuddy is a cross between "scooter" and "buddy". One thing up front: the Scuddy is great fun. However, it has nothing in common with a pedelec or bicycle, and its riding characteristics take some getting used to.
So first watch the well-made explanatory videos on the company website. Because the way to the real highlight of the Scuddy - the fact that it can be folded almost to the size of a drinks crate in just a few simple steps - is something you have to discover first. Here you can recognise two things in particular: the scooter is a small construction miracle. Every part has been thought through down to the smallest detail in order to utilise every millimetre of folding space. However, this has its pitfalls with individual parts. In other words, you should be careful at the beginning so that you don't accidentally pinch your fingers somewhere.
Great fun with minor flaws
Once set up, you're ready to go. But you should also take your time when driving - not least because the poison green speedster has plenty of steam with 1,500 watts. We slowly got to grips with it in the car park in front of the editorial office: First we start the engine using the coded chip. Then we have a choice: you can ride the scooter in a seated position (this is required by road traffic regulations in order to obtain a road licence) or standing up like a classic scooter. The latter is much more fun and the unusual riding experience is much more intense: the free-swinging front axle, which connects the two wheels, allows the Scuddy to be steered in a similar way to a kickboard, only with a more pronounced lateral tilt. This makes it feel like you're carving or surfing on skis at higher speeds. The scooter is braked by a motor brake that can recover up to ten per cent of the battery capacity (called recuperation) or by two disc brakes on the front wheels.
After a few laps of the car park, it's time for the everyday test. And that means getting out onto the road, because cycle paths are prohibited. The Scuddy has this in common with S-pedelecs, as well as compulsory insurance, helmet and driving licence requirements and a rear-view mirror. Which also reveals the biggest disadvantage: Everything I'm allowed to do on a normal pedelec, I'm not allowed to do on an e-scooter: in addition to cycle paths, forest and woodland paths are just as taboo as crossing parks or fast connections without car traffic. And as I'm travelling at "only" 35 km/h, the car horn soon starts honking behind me. Some car drivers have very little understanding for being held up by slightly slower vehicles.
Free travel by bus and train
So I make sure I get off the main road as quickly as possible and start the next part of the practical test: riding the bus. A huge advantage of the scooter over conventional bikes or pedelecs: You can take it on the bus, tram, underground or train at any time of day or night - when folded up into a trolley. This is a strong argument in favour of the Scuddy - especially for commuters who want to cover relatively short distances with an individual vehicle. Relatively short is to be taken literally, however: The scooter has a battery range of around 30 kilometres. Longer commutes, which are easily possible with a pedelec, are not possible with this lively dwarf. But that is set to change: The Scuddy will soon be available with a battery that can cover 70 kilometres.
Niche product with potential
So the question arises: for which target groups can such an e-scooter be attractive? The providers' answer: "For anyone who wants to cover the so-called last mile, i.e. a relatively short distance to a destination, with an individual vehicle." In addition, people who are limited in their mobility, campers or boat owners - and of course those who simply want to have fun with such a truly innovative scooter and are prepared to pay the currently still hefty price of €4,850. One fly in the ointment: despite the fact that the Scuddy can be folded up compactly, it weighs a hefty 28 kilograms. This can be exhausting, as I found out when lugging it into the flat - and only to the first floor.
Scuddy Premium Sport - technical data
- Maximum speed 35 km/h
- Range (manufacturer's specification) 30 km
- Drive 1,500 watts
- Support levels flat, uphill
- Battery Lithium iron phosphate
- Battery charging time 7h (optional with quick charger: 2h, surcharge 200 Euro)
- Size folded 58 x 51 x 41 cm
- Weight 28 kg
- Price 4,850 euros (other models from 999 euros)
- Info www.scuddy.de
