We test Yadea's range for Spain: three versatile electric scooters at a very competitive price

Although it may sound unfamiliar in Spain, Yadea is the world-leading brand in two-wheeled electric vehicles, with a total of 13.9 million units sold last year, 2021, more than 60 million units sold since 2005, and five consecutive years as the number one brand in the highly competitive 100% electric motorcycle segment.

In total, the Chinese brand has no fewer than seven factories, more than 40,000 retail outlets in the 88 countries where it currently operates, and partnerships with top-level technology companies such as CATL, BYD, Studio F.A. Porsche or Kiska.

Now, Yadea arrives in Spain with its launch date set for 2 November, with a range made up of three mopeds and three motorcycles that we were able to see and test in Zaragoza, where Yadea Spain has decided to make itself known, proudly claiming to be the only brand in the two-wheeler sector to certify its carbon footprint and the only one to register it with the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge.

Very high-quality batteries

At the presentation, we had the participation of Carlos Wang, General Manager of Yadea Spain, and José María Sanjuan, After-Sales Director of Yadea Spain, who explained to us the technology used in the batteries of their Yadea motorcycles. All the brand’s models use soft-pack cells, which offer high energy density in their cells, in their module and a high capacity. In addition, their qualities also include greater flexibility and greater heat dissipation, which, as they told us, is key to withstanding up to 800 cycles of charging or slightly more than 72,000 kilometres with 100% usability at a cost of 0.75 euros per 100 kilometres.

Yadea’s battery range consists of four types: one of 60V, 32Ah and a weight of 13.35 kg, one of 72V, 20Ah and 11.5 kg, one of 60V, 24Ah and 9.45 kilos, and a last one of 60V, 24Ah and 10.5 kg. All of them are removable, which is really convenient if we want to recharge our scooter’s battery at home, at the office or wherever.

The brand offered us the chance to test three of its star models: its entry-level model, the Yadea T9L Plus, its Yadea G5 S, and finally its top-of-the-range model, the Yadea C1S Pro.

Let’s put them to the test

Starting with the T9L Plus, this is a moped with L1e homologation, with a 2,100W motor, two 60V and 24Ah batteries, a maximum speed of 45 km/h and a maximum range of 98 kilometres. With all this, the Yadea T9L Plus has a really attractive look, fairly decent build quality and a comfortable riding position.

When setting off, we were surprised by its lightness and easy manoeuvrability, making it a perfect mobility vehicle if our route is purely urban, since we must bear in mind that this is a moped in every respect. Its price is 2,550 euros, and it includes free third-party insurance with Allianz for one year.

The most balanced

The second model we tested sits one step above the T9L Plus: its homologation is L3e, its motor produces 4,100W, it has two 72V and 20Ah batteries, a maximum speed of 80 km/h and a maximum range of 91 kilometres, and its name is Yadea G5 S.

In our humble opinion, the G5 S is the most balanced model of all those we tested in terms of performance and riding comfort, along with a highly visible 7-inch digital display, keyless system and integrated alarm. The height of its floorboard is initially surprising, but after a few minutes riding we adapt to this scooter very easily.

As far as price goes, the Yadea G5 S starts at 4,190 euros and, just like the T9, includes free insurance for the first year with Allianz.

The top model

The last model we were able to test is the Yadea C1S Pro, an L3e-homologated scooter that felt more capable from the very start, with a braking system that bites harder, more pronounced acceleration and a larger size, especially in width. Unlike its smaller sibling, the G5 S, the C1S Pro features a triangular-shaped LED headlight that gives it a very cheeky look, and an LED rear light with the illuminated Yadea logo.

As for performance, it has a 6,000W motor, two 72V and 20Ah batteries and a maximum speed of 80 km/h, along with a maximum range of 92 kilometres. It also has KERS regenerative braking, a reverse gear, keyless system and integrated alarm, and its price is 4,890 euros.

Although we could not test them, Yadea also offers two variants aimed at professional use. One is the Y1S, which reaches a top speed of 45 km/h, has a maximum range of 101 kilometres and costs up to 3,450 euros, and the other is the Yadea Y1S Pro, which reaches a top speed of 70 km/h, has a maximum range of 80 kilometres and costs 3,650 euros.

Overall, the three Yadea models we tested struck us as genuinely valid options, thanks to their design aimed at urban use and their almost non-existent maintenance, the only drawback being a very small storage space that does not allow us to store a helmet or another object of considerable size.