It’s been almost two years since I last rode a Fonz scooter. In 2020 I spent three days with the Arthur 3, mostly commuting from home to work and getting the sense of what is involved in owning and using an electric scooter.
Since that time, Fonz has moved into a new HQ in Alexandria, Sydney. The company has grown and its scooter models have evolved. One of the more recent evolutions involves the Arthur 2, the Fonz’ mid-tier electric scooter, sandwiched between the Arthur 1, and the more powerful Arthur 3.
So, what has changed?
The two notable updates in the 2022 Arthur 2 relate to the battery, and the drive itself.
First the battery. When the 2022 model was launched in November 2021, Fonz announced a 30% upgrade in range. That’s very welcome.
Additionally, the portable battery pack is slimmer, allowing for two separate battery packs to fit under the seat. This effectively means a total range of 130kms, a signifnicant increase from the previous model’s 50kms. The smaller battery packs also make it easier to carry from the scooter to your charging point.
As per the previous model, the new slimmer battery packs can be charged from any standard powerpoint.
I found it pretty straightforward plugging and unplugging the battery packs from under the seat, and with a press of the button on the battery pack you can quickly check how charged it is before deciding which to plug in.
Despite the doubling of batteries, storage space for other items remains small.
If it’s extra space you’re looking for to store other items such as a bag or helmet, you’ll need to turn to the optional top box ($375).
The other notable improvement on the new Arthur 2 is the drive itself. Simply put, it’s a much smoother ride than its predecessor. I found myself being able to accelerate and cruise at a fixed speed with a lot less jerking from the throttle.
While you may not experience the same level of instant acceleration associated with sporty EVs, you do still get the instant torque that’s hard to replicate in any combustion engine. The 2022 model offers the same top speed of 65kmh as its predecessor, with the + model offering an improved 75kmh.
For someone like myself, who is 6″5, the Arthur models do look a little on the small side. But I found myself riding quite comfortably, and without the feeling of an elephant on a unicycle.
Even so, the small wheels do make sure you feel most bumps on some of Sydney’s less well looked-after roads. It’s not a vehicle you’d take for a country drive.
But this bike isn’t for the country roads, it never has been. The Arthur 2 is built for the city. My daily commute is approximately 6.5kms. While the regenerative breaks help keep the range as close to the suggested 65kms per battery pack, longer spells on highways mean the real range can be less, especially if you are as keen as I am to get to 0 to its top speed of 65kmh as quick as possible.
What I found in practical terms is that every second day I’d take out one of the battery packs and charge it either during the day at the office, or overnight at home, just as I already do with my mobile phone. The combined 130kms range means I never experienced any range anxiety.
The Arthur 2 sizing up against my Honda SH150
The digital dash on the Arthur models makes for easy reading at nightfall. During the day however particularly if wearing polarized sunglasses, I found the digital dash hard to read at times.
A lot of scooters (including my own SH150) could be fairly accused of not falling under the ‘stylish’ category. Fonz’s Arthur 2, at least for my part, does fall into that category.
It’s a good looking machine. Simple, elegant, and with a range of colours to choose, its easy to draw parallels between the Arthur and the Piaggo Vespa.
Looking at the price guide, the parallel lines don’t appear so straight.
The Arthur 2’s starting price of $5,490, is well under the $7,000 you can expect to pay as a minimum for a new Vespa. And while the cost of running a Vespa or any combustion engine scooter is a major feature when compared to a car, the cost of running the Arthur 2 is even better. In my case, absolutely free if I just continued to charge the portable battery pack in my office.
Earlier this year my wife and I were looking seriously at options for an electric car. Like most people considering an EV for their next car, the two sore points are price and charging infrastructure.
The Arthur 2 takes away those two major obstacles, making it a very interesting option for those living in the city and looking to reduce the cost of their daily commutes.
With the increasing instances of road congestion, the increasing cost of fuel, and the continuing improvements in range and performance, it feels like the time is ripe for an aggressive expansion of electric scooters in Australia.
Keyword: Electric scooter review: 2022 Fonz Arthur 2 offers style and more range