The new Karmic OSLO looks like no electric moped
we’ve seen before. Half electric bicycle and half electric scooter, this one
appears to be straight out of a science fiction movie. The Karmic OSLO is an electric bicycle with a
hydroformed aluminum chassis and thermoplastic body panels. It comes with both
pedal assist and a hand throttle, and is designed to reach speeds of 32
km/h. That classifies it as a Class 2 e-bike in the US. The 480 Wh removable battery is
rated for 32 km of real-world range based on mostly throttle-only
usage.
The motor is rated at a surprisingly low 250W,
though very few 250W motors actually put out such little power. More often than
not, they are higher-wattage motors that are underrated for regulatory reasons.
Karmic also says they have a 500W version in the works as well, so
there may be more power available in the future.
The Karmic OSLO features alloy wheels and wide tires
for a stable, comfortable ride. Front and rear LED lighting is integrated into
the bike and wraps around the rear for side visibility. Hydraulic disc brakes
come standard, offering more powerful braking. The structure is similar to a
step-through scooter, making mounting and dismounting easier than a traditional
electric motorbike.
While the Karmic OSLO looks fairly expensive, you
might be surprised by the price. At just US$ 1,499 on Kickstarter, the Karmic OSLO
is set to compete with other moped-style e-bikes released recently. Models such
as the RadRunner and the Juiced Scorpion are a couple hundred bucks cheaper,
but don’t offer the same futuristic design as the OSLO.
