It has been a while since I’ve ridden public transportation. Truth be told, I don’t even know how much is the minimum fare these days. For the past two decades, I made it a point to always “travel on the saddle.”  

Recently, though, I gave public commuting another go, and I’ve thoroughly regretted it.

Just walking to the bus stop was already a huge struggle, probably because I’m a bit overweight, but the city's unbearable heat and poor air quality surely did not help. We need to take global warming more seriously. Did you know that 15% of the total global carbon emissions come from the road transportation sector?

I’m glad to see new industry players introducing electric motorcycle options in the local market. The most promising I’ve ridden so far is the Horwin EK3.   

Three-in-one

The EK3 is an electric scooter with a maximum range of 90 kilometers and a top speed of 95 kilometers per hour, depending on rider weight, riding habits, and riding conditions.

One unique feature of this e-scoot is that it has three power modes. Mode 1 enables the rider to maximize the range on a full battery amidst the conditions, and the power delivery is similar to that of a 100cc gas engine scooter.

On Mode 2, the EK3 felt like a conventional 125cc scooter, and it strikes a good balance between performance and battery efficiency.

Riding in Mode 3 gives you the throttle response of a 150cc, except that with the electric motor, you get the maximum power of 6.2 kW and max torque of 195 Nm from standstill.

Just be sure to wear a full-face helmet for added protection and to hide your maniacal grin from other road users.

Technically sound

To ensure that every bit of power is transferred to the rear wheel, Horwin fitted the EK3 with a chain final drive. This limits transmission loss to about 4%, as opposed to a belt drive which could result in a 9% to 15% power loss.

You can charge the EK3 by connecting the charger to the socket below the seat and plug it into any wall socket. If you feel particularly stingy, you can just pull out the battery under the seat and charge it at your workplace. Just make sure you have properly girded your loins before doing this, as the battery weighs about 20 kilograms.  

It takes about four hours to get a full charge, and according to Watt Mobility, the official distributor of Horwin motorcycles in the Philippines, it only costs about ₱27. A gas-powered scooter will probably consume about two liters of fuel to clock in 90 kilometers. That’s around ₱120, give or take. I’ll let you do the math.

The Horwin EK3 runs on 14-inch (front) and 13-inch (rear) rubbers and weighs only 92 kilograms. It offers high-speed stability on the open road and effortless handling in congested city streets. Ride quality is on point for my weight (180 lbs. plus VAT), but the dual rear shocks are 5-way adjustable to suit your preference. The front and rear disc brakes provide excellent stopping power, but having ABS would be nice, just for added peace of mind.

Futuristic styling

The EK3’s low-key, futuristic styling perfectly matches its electric motor’s subtle whine as you twist the throttle with impunity. The running lights in the front and on the sides also add to its “sci-fi movie” appeal. It does resemble the Gogoro e-scoot that was launched a couple of months ago, but it’s the EK3 that has the bragging rights to a Red Dot Design Award.

At ₱269,000, we can agree that the Horwin EK3 might not be for everyone. Yet, the same can also be said about other electric scooters. I suppose it takes a level of commitment to become pioneers of change, especially with limited infrastructure and minimal government support for EVs. Everyone will probably be riding e-scooters in the future, but for now, riding one comes with the luxury of exclusivity.

With low running costs, award-winning styling, and more than enough grunt to ride like a hooligan, would you go for the Horwin EK3? 

To help you decide, you could drop by the Watt Mobility showroom at 11 Brixton St. in Pasig City and ask them for a test ride.