Earlier this year, the Ampere Nexus entered the competitive electric scooter market with a lot of promises and claims. We recently got the opportunity to ride the EV and after riding it in and around Delhi-NCR amid varying traffic conditions, we’ve come away impressed by certain aspects but also found areas that could use improvement.
Ampere Nexus: Design and build quality
First off, the design. Now, if there were beauty contests held for electric scooters, the Nexus has the potential to grab a few accolades. Why so? It’s clear that Ampere has put effort into giving the Nexus a clean and premium look. There are no visible bolts or screws, which adds to the scooter’s neat aesthetic. It boasts of a rather sophisticated design which isn’t entirely aerodynamic nor boxy. In fact, it's a well-balanced design that makes for a stylish family scooter. However, the boxy finish on the front apron could benefit from a bit of rethinking.
Besides that, what stood out to us was the build quality—solid and well put together. No creaks, no rattles. Everything fits where it should, with zero odd panel gaps. The design might lean towards the conservative side with flat body panels, but it works. It looks big and proportionate, and for a commuter, that’s key.
Ampere Nexus: Performance and range
Performance-wise, the Nexus packs a decent punch for city commutes. Its 4kW motor offers quick acceleration, especially in Power mode, which can take you up to 93 kmph - our best attempt on a long empty stretch was 86 kmph and it happened without any problem. In City mode, the top speed drops to a more manageable 63 kmph, and for those ultra-conservative rides, Eco mode limits it to 45 kmph.
Ampere claims a certified range of 136 km on a full charge, but in real-world conditions, we managed about 105 km in Eco mode. The range would be more than sufficient for daily commutes. Charging is quick too - just a little over three hours to fully juice the battery up.
Ampere Nexus: Ride comfort and suspension
The suspension setup - telescopic front fork and twin shock absorbers at rear - is well-tuned to iron out bumps and road undulations. We took it through some rough patches, and it absorbed the shocks quite well, although there were minor jerks felt on the handlebar but not enough to break the deal.
However, the seat is another story. While it's large and offers plenty of legroom, the cushion is way too soft. After an hour of riding, I started feeling discomfort in my lower back and my ‘sit-me-down’ part. Ampere could definitely improve the seat firmness to ensure long-distance comfort.
As for storage, the boot space was roomy enough to hold groceries and small items. But when I tried fitting a full-size helmet, it just wouldn’t go in. So while it’s spacious, it’s not quite practical for larger items.
Ampere Nexus: Braking and controls
Braking on the Nexus is a mixed bag. The front disc brake does a good job of bringing the scooter to a stop, but the rear drum brake lacks a bit of bite. It’s adequate, but in situations where you need quick stops, more feedback from the rear brake would be appreciated.
The scooter’s handlebar controls feel premium, with piano-finished buttons that are satisfying to press. But here’s a flaw that Ampere needs to address - the buttons are placed too far from the natural reach of your thumb. I found it awkward to adjust settings, blow the horn, or toggle between riding modes while on the move, as I had to stretch my hand, which is not ideal when you’re focusing on the road.
Ampere Nexus: Display and tech
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