Niu : New in approach

First time I rode a moped was when I was in France; I was 11 and impressionable. Coming from a self-powered bike, I was duly impressed. Three years later, motorbikes became fixtures in my life. I currently own an EV sport-bike which is the best wrinkle-remover and an old evolution-powered scoot which loosens my fillings and adds a rap-sheet to my imagination. Lately I’ve been remembering the feeling I had when I rode my first scooter. Since they have no pretence, you meet the nicest people….

NIU (pronounced “new”) is a tech-forward brand rather than a traditional motorcycle manufacturer and the NQi GTS reflects that philosophy. It positions itself as a device designed to get you from A to B as efficiently, cheaply, and cleanly as possible, rather than to stir the heart.  The NQi GTS sits at the top of NIU’s scooter range and is built specifically for urban commuting.

NIU NQi GT & GTS

Design & Build

The NQi GTS sports a sleek, modern-retro design with clean lines, an iconic halo headlight, and an overall premium feel. It is available in several colour combinations, including a popular white with red racing stripes, matte grey, and glossy black. 

NIU’s innovative dual-battery placement of both units in the footwell achieves an almost perfect 50:50 weight distribution, which enhances stability and control while riding. As a bonus, relocating the batteries frees up the seat compartment for convenient storage. 

The Bosch-branded electric motor is built directly into the rear wheel hub, meaning no final drive to maintain and an intuitive, silent, ultra-smooth twist-and-go riding experience. 

Build quality is generally solid, though some users may find that certain plastic components, like the rear fender, can be fragile. What’s worse is that replacing the rear tyre is notably fiddly because you have to disconnect the motor from the controller, requiring removal of the seat and battery compartment before the wheel can come out. 

Performance

In Sport mode the NQi GTS is punchy for an electric scooter; it accelerates quickly and climbs all the way to 50 mph, which means all but the fastest main roads can be tackled. 

Real-world GPS testing found the scooter actually exceeds its official 70 km/h (43.5 mph) limit, with the speedo hitting 80 km/h before the electronic limiter kicks in though true GPS-verified speed is closer to 77–78 km/h. 

In terms of torque, the NIU pulls away faster than most 125cc scooters from a standing start and can hold its own with 250cc machines for the first few seconds, before higher-displacement engines spool up. Overall, it sits somewhere between a 50cc and 125cc petrol scooter in real-world power, skewed toward the 125cc end. 

Drop the bike into E-Save mode and top speed falls sharply, but range is significantly extended useful for inner-city riding where pure speed matters less. 

Handling & Ride Quality

Compared to my regular rides, the NIU NQi GTS is very easy to handle. At 114 kg with batteries, it is 16 kg lighter than a Honda PCX125 and significantly lighter than most 125cc rivals.  The low weight, combined with the central battery placement delivering a near 50:50 weight distribution, makes it nimble and confidence-inspiring in traffic.

Experienced riders trying the NQi GTS may well be impressed, quickly finding the limits of lean on suspension that would compress over bumpy backroad bends but never gave cause for complaint. 

However, ride quality from the basic suspension, 31mm forks up front and twin shocks at the rear, is fine on smooth city streets but feels crashy over potholes.  The 14-inch wheels help somewhat. The larger 14-inch wheels contribute meaningfully to a stable and comfortable ride, smoothing out urban bumps better than scooters with smaller wheels. 

The NIU is small, light, extremely slim, and has a supremely tight turning circle, making snarled-up traffic easy to untangle with little effort. 

Technology & Connectivity

The NQi GTS features three driving modes (Sport, Dynamic, and E-Save) along with a movement detection anti-theft alarm, GPS tracking, cruise control, and a USB charging port. 

The NIU smartphone app provides GPS tracking, unauthorized movement alerts, speed mode switching, ride statistics, and remote diagnostics. The battery system even offers a digital 100-point inspection via the app, running through all systems to flag anything amiss. 

The EBS braking system provides regenerative braking, recovering up to 10% of kinetic energy lost under braking and returning it to the battery. 

Range: The Real-World Story

The standard-range model is claimed to cover 57 miles on a full charge. In reality, a rider who is heavy-handed with the throttle on open roads may see as little as 31 miles, while a more restrained commuter averaging around 38 mph can comfortably get 40 miles or more from a charge. 

We’ve noted a realistic range of 50–65 km (31–40 miles) in a mix of Sport and Dynamic modes. Each battery weighs around 11 kg something to consider if you plan to carry them upstairs to charge, though the removable design is a major practical advantage for those without ground-floor access to power. 

Running Costs

Charging the standard-range NQi GTS uses around 3,120 Wh, roughly £2.43 per 100 miles at current UK energy prices, compared to significantly more for petrol scooters. For a typical 15-mile-a-day commute, that translates to roughly £320 saved per year over a comparable 125cc petrol machine.  Add to that no oil changes, no spark plugs, and no exhaust servicing, and the running cost advantage is compelling.

Verdict

The NIU NQi GTS is an excellent electric moped for the right rider: a city commuter who travels 20–30 miles a day, values zero running costs, wants smartphone connectivity, and doesn’t need motorway capability. If your commute is under 20 miles each way and doesn’t require speeds above 50 mph, it is genuinely worthy of serious consideration. 

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