N-FIRST TIME'S THE CHARM

From first stoplight to last, Numeros' e-scooter made every stare count

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EV startups are now a dime a dozen, each one wanting to fill a void that most of us didn't know existed until these brands told us so.

For Bengaluru-based Numeros Motors, it was developing an e-scooter that would appeal to new riders and not be in the grey zone of low-speed electric two-wheelers that have infested our streets. And the company's solution was not just another run-of-the-mill EV, but the N-First — a rather unique and, as I found out, quite an attention-grabbing e-scooter.

In the three hours I spent with the N-First, I was pulled over and grilled about it by over ten people, who were willing to move from their premium e-scooters and even ICE bikes. That intrigued me. What was it that appealed to the young guys as well as middle-aged men? A fellow was honest enough to tell me that he wanted something that looked (manly?) like a bike but was easy like a scooter. Though I questioned his understanding of motorcycles, I got what he meant. The 16-inch wheels, tall suspension and skinny profile lent it a stylish-yet-utilitarian design that could appeal to anyone. And thankfully, it moved just as well as it looked.