By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Scooter vs Electric Motorcycle
Vespa Elettrica (MY2019) vs Zero LS1 (MY2026)
Vespa Elettrica vs Zero LS1: which one to buy for your commute.
You'll hold the Vespa Elettrica's throttle wide open in Power mode and still watch traffic slip away. The Zero LS1's power keeps building in one smooth push.
So which one do you buy?
The Elettrica has the edge if…
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Nose ahead: Elettrica
For a learner on a small bike, the Elettrica is a touch easier to get along with. Thank easier controls for that.
Daily commuting & city riding
By a nose: Elettrica
Day in, day out, the Elettrica nudges ahead in traffic. The difference is easier everyday riding and a smaller footprint. It isn't a big enough gap to plan around.
The LS1 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Slight edge: LS1
On a winding road, the LS1 comes out a touch ahead. Most of that is a sportier chassis and more feel through the bars. You wouldn't bet much on a gap like that.
What makes each one tick
Elettrica
Low in the Elettrica's steel shell, the battery and the motor in the rear hub keep the weight down where it can't fight the steering. At corner entry the front wheel tips in off a light nudge at the bar, and U-turns close up tight. The hub motor's barely a hum. The nose threads gaps between stopped cars.
LS1
There's no step anywhere in how the LS1's motor feeds its torque, and the speed rises gradually. Under the seat there's room for a full-face helmet, even with two batteries fitted. The packs come inside to charge. Every green light gets a gentle launch from the motor.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Elettrica has the lower wet weight: 287 lb (130 kg) vs 295 lb (134 kg).
- The LS1 makes more peak power: 11 hp (8.3 kW) vs 5 hp (3.5 kW).
- ABS: standard on the LS1, not offered on the Elettrica.
Which one for the way you ride
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Elettrica
What owners say
Trade-offs
- Limited top speed restricts usefulness
- Prohibitively expensive compared to petrol Vespa
LS1
What owners say
Strengths
- Ample storage and battery flexibility
- Smooth and intuitive electric power delivery
What they share
- Engine
- Electric
Where the spec sheets split
| Elettrica | LS1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Wet weight | 287 lb (130 kg) | 295 lb (134 kg) |
| Elettrica | LS1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 5 hp (3.5 kW) | 11 hp (8.3 kW) |
| Top speed | 30 mph (48 km/h) | 62 mph (100 km/h) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Elettrica | LS1 | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Not offered | Standard |
| Traction Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Keyless System | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
