Zero LS1 Review: Electric Scooter with Impressive Range

With the LS1, Zero Motorcycles makes its first foray into the electric scooter market—a noteworthy move for a brand primarily known for powerful electric motorcycles. This raises an intriguing question: how well does this expertise translate into an urban scooter concept? This is where the Zero LS1 shines: it aims to be not just another flashy lifestyle scooter, but a serious, well-engineered electric scooter for everyday use. And after just a few kilometers, it’s clear that Zero has gotten a lot right.

The LS1 positions itself in the A1 segment, targeting commuters, city riders, and anyone looking for an electric alternative for daily use. Offering up to three batteries, an everyday practical top speed, ABS, traction control, and surprisingly dynamic performance for its class, it presents some compelling features.

Priced at €5,186 in Germany, €5,230 in Austria, and 4,600 Swiss Francs in Switzerland, the cost includes VAT, dealer transport, and battery disposal fees, with potential dealer-specific delivery charges as an additional possibility. This positions the LS1 firmly within the urban premium segment without reaching completely unrealistic price brackets.

The Zero LS1 is powered by an IPMAC electric motor delivering a maximum output of 8.4 kW or 11.4 hp. Its rated power is 5 kW, with a peak torque of 51 Nm, and an impressive 240 Nm of torque at the rear wheel according to the spec sheet. Power transfer is clutchless via direct drive paired with a belt drive system.

The officially stated top speed is 99 km/h maximum and 85 km/h sustained. However, in real-world testing, the speedometer indicated around 110 km/h is achievable. This makes the LS1 not only suitable for urban environments but also for faster commuting routes. It's a definite advantage, especially in suburban areas or on shorter highway sections.

The ride dynamics can also be adjusted through various riding modes. Acceleration, top speed, and throttle response can be tailored to suit specific usage needs. This aligns well with the vehicle's character, as the LS1 aims to be not only efficient but also controllable and suitable for everyday use.

Let's start with the most crucial aspect of any electric scooter: the batteries. The Zero LS1 offers a well-thought-out concept in this regard. It comes standard with two removable batteries, each with a capacity of 1.86 kWh, housed beneath the footboard. An optional third battery can be added, which fits under the seat.

The under-footboard solution offers several advantages. Firstly, the mass is positioned very low in the vehicle, which significantly benefits the center of gravity. Secondly, the mass is highly centralized along with the mid-mounted motor. Both factors positively impact the ride dynamics, making the LS1 more stable and dynamic than what you'd expect from many scooters in this class.

The execution of the battery cover also leaves a good impression. The hatch, accessible through the under-seat storage, is spring-loaded and feels premium. It gives a well-engineered impression and conveys quality. However, there's a small catch in practice: the opening is somewhat narrow. Although the batteries can be removed, the process is a bit fiddly. You can get them out, but it's not as smooth and effortless as one might hope.

This is precisely why in-vehicle charging proves to be particularly practical. The LS1 allows for this, and it's likely the more convenient option for everyday use. Those who can charge the scooter directly at home, at the office, or in the garage will likely prefer this method over regularly removing the batteries.

The Zero LS1 really shines when it comes to range. With the two standard batteries, the manufacturer claims 112 kilometers in urban settings and 110 kilometers for slow commuting at a maximum of 89 km/h. In practice, this mainly indicates one thing: the LS1 is already well-equipped for typical daily routes in its standard configuration.

The optional third battery makes things particularly interesting. It boosts the range to up to 173 kilometers in urban settings and 166 kilometers for slow commuting. For an electric scooter in this class, that's a strong performance, making the LS1 appealing to users who prefer not to charge daily or who cover longer urban stretches.

The downside of this additional battery is the loss of storage space. The optional third battery sits under the seat—exactly where you'd typically store luggage. With three batteries, the storage space is almost completely occupied. However, those using the two standard batteries benefit from a truly spacious compartment, even accommodating a full-face helmet, which is incredibly practical for everyday use. This highlights how well the LS1 is tailored for daily needs.

Charging is done with a standard 800-watt charger, taking about 4.5 hours to go from 0 to 90 percent, and roughly 2.8 hours from 20 to 80 percent. An optional 1,500-watt fast charger is available, reducing the 0 to 90 percent charge time to around 2.6 hours. This makes the LS1 even more flexible for daily use, especially if frequent recharging is needed.

The ergonomics present a somewhat mixed picture. Fundamentally, the vehicle's comfort is decent, and the seat height of 780 millimeters initially sounds inviting. However, in practice, the design gives a unique impression. Because the batteries are housed under the footboard, it is relatively high, while the seat is low, causing the knees to come up quite close to the handlebars.

This makes the seating on the Zero LS1 feel a bit more cramped than one might initially expect, noticeable even at a height of 1.75 meters. Taller riders might perceive this effect even more. It's not a major flaw in the traditional sense, but it's something potential buyers should experience for themselves before purchasing. The ergonomics aren't bad—they're just unique due to the combination of a high footboard and low seat position.

In city traffic, this should still work well for many riders, especially due to the low seat height and the scooter's accessible overall design. However, those expecting a more spacious feel might find the LS1 somewhat restrictive.

The Zero LS1 demonstrates a pleasantly practical side in everyday use. Without the third battery, there is a truly usable storage space under the seat, which can even accommodate a full-face helmet. This is by no means a given and significantly enhances the scooter’s practicality. It's a real advantage for commuters, short shopping trips, or the daily commute through the city.

However, once the optional third battery is installed, this advantage significantly diminishes. The area under the seat is then almost entirely occupied by the energy storage. Users must decide: maximum range or maximum practicality in terms of storage space. Both options have their appeal, depending on the intended use.

The biggest surprise with the Zero LS1 is undoubtedly its riding dynamics. Given that it's the brand's first electric scooter, one might have expected Zero to deliver a more conservative, understated setup initially. However, the manufacturer has achieved something not often seen in this segment: the LS1 offers remarkably dynamic performance for an A1 electric scooter.

This is primarily due to the clever mass distribution. The low center of gravity from the batteries in the footboard and the centralized mass from the mid-mounted motor ensure that the scooter handles well in corners and stays stable on the road. It doesn't feel wobbly, nervous, or spongy, but surprisingly balanced. More than that, it actually makes cornering enjoyable. And that's high praise in the scooter segment.

The chassis components might not be high-end in the sporty sense, but that's not expected in this class. What's important is that they do their job well—and they certainly do. Compared to cheaper competitors, the suspension is completely adequate. The brakes, on the other hand, don't stand out positively or negatively; they are well-suited to the vehicle and function unobtrusively. Together, this makes for a coherent overall package.

The LS1 comes standard with ABS and switchable traction control. This is a valuable safety feature, especially in urban environments with variable road surfaces, manhole covers, crosswalks, or wet streets. Zero is not just focusing on range and electric expertise but also on practical safety features.

Additionally, there's an anti-theft system via the vehicle key. If the key is not nearby, the scooter cannot be started or have its steering unlocked. A special motor regulation also makes it difficult to roll away. If someone tries to move the vehicle without the key, the motor blocks at short intervals. This is a useful extra in everyday life, especially in urban environments.

At market launch, there is already genuine accessories available, including a windshield, luggage rack, top case, smartphone mount, fast charger, and the optional third battery. This also emphasizes that Zero positions the LS1 not as an experimental exotic but as a fully usable production product.

The central TFT display on the handlebars is less impressive. It's positive that a modern display is available and can be operated via handlebar controls. However, in practice, it quickly becomes apparent that the operating logic is not particularly intuitive. One needs to familiarize themselves with it to fully understand the functions.

The significantly larger criticism, however, is the readability. The display is simply too dim. While the speed is easy to see, it becomes challenging under direct sunlight. Additional details are then barely readable. This limits the practical everyday utility to the most basic information, such as speed, battery level, and range.

Especially because the rest of the scooter appears technically quite mature, this issue weighs even more heavily. The LS1 also failed to deliver on connectivity during the test, even though such features are supposedly planned. At the time of testing, this connectivity was not yet available.

Another interesting aspect is the way the Zero LS1 presents itself. Many electric scooters today try to grab attention with futuristic displays, playful designs, or particularly flashy features. Zero takes a different approach with the LS1. The scooter appears serious, straightforward, and rather understated.

This can definitely be seen in a positive light. Those seeking a vehicle that integrates unobtrusively into the urban landscape and doesn't constantly seek attention will likely feel comfortable with the LS1. At the same time, there's a sense that Zero could adopt a bolder approach in the future. Especially in terms of the display and the emotional appeal of the vehicle, more character is conceivable. The technical foundation for this is already in place.

The Zero LS1 is primarily aimed at urban riders looking for an electric scooter with solid range, a well-thought-out battery concept, and mature riding dynamics. It excels particularly where everyday practicality and riding pleasure are meant to converge: commuting, city traffic, and short interurban trips.

Those who want maximum storage space will do well with the two standard batteries. On the other hand, those needing maximum range can achieve an impressive level in this class with the third battery. At the same time, prospective buyers should check whether the ergonomic design suits their body type and if they can live with the dim display.