Velix E-Kick 20: The road test of the foldable electric scooter designed for the last mile

The "right" electric scooter is not always the most powerful or best-equipped: often, it's the one that seamlessly integrates into your routine because it does exactly what's needed, without being a burden. The Velix E-Kick 20 was designed with this philosophy in mind. It's a folding vehicle intended for the last mile — from the bus stop to the office, from the car park to the city center — weighing 18 kg, with an aluminum frame, a dedicated app, and a stated range of 30-40 km. On paper, it's a light and sustainable urban companion. But how does it really perform when used daily, navigating traffic lights, curbs, and lunch breaks? We put it to the test in the real-world contexts for which this type of vehicle is intended.

Why we chose to test it

In the landscape of electric scooters approved for 20 km/h, the most crowded segment is precisely that of the "everyday" vehicle: light, foldable, easy to carry on public transport, and to store in a car boot. The Velix E-Kick 20 plays in this category, but with an interesting advantage: it comes from the Velix range, a brand produced in Germany by Soletek and widely popular in the German market, where it has been adopted and tested by a large number of commuters. When a vehicle is in the hands of so many people for years, its real strengths and concrete limitations clearly emerge.

We were interested in understanding if the Velix E-Kick 20 maintains the balance it promises: lightness and practicality without sacrificing comfort and safety. We took it to the city center, on damaged asphalt, on bike paths, up some gentle slopes, and on the classic home-to-work commute. Here's the report.

First impressions

Upon unboxing, the Velix E-Kick 20 communicates a careful build quality for its price range. The 6061-T6 aluminum frame is light but conveys a sense of solidity, the welds are neat, and the overall impression is that of a clean and discreet vehicle, without aesthetic excesses. It's a deliberately understated design, suitable for both professional use and everyday city commuting.

The perceived robustness is consistent with its intended use: it's not a vehicle designed for extreme off-roading, but for calmly tackling urban road surfaces. The anti-slip deck offers secure footing, and the finishes are generally convincing, with particular attention to functional details like the integrated smartphone holder and USB port — small touches that make a difference in real-world use.

In terms of practicality, assembly is immediate: unfold the stem, lock it into position, and you're ready to go. The folding mechanism allows the scooter to be collapsed in a few seconds, significantly reducing its bulk. The presence of a dedicated app — which monitors charge status, ride data, and settings — is a connectivity feature not common in this segment and brings the Velix closer to the market's more technologically advanced models.

On the road: how it really performs

Starting is done via a thumb throttle, with power delivery at very low speeds requiring a minimum of modulation, but it becomes natural within a few rides. Acceleration is linear and sufficient to keep up with urban traffic, with the top speed settling around the stated 20 km/h. Pick-up on flat ground, after stopping at a traffic light, is prompt enough to rejoin traffic safely.

In the city center, the Velix E-Kick 20 truly shines: lightweight, agile, with responsive and predictable steering that makes it easy to navigate between pedestrians, intersections, and changes of direction. Stability is good for its category, and the low center of gravity provides an immediate sense of control, even for those with little experience.

On damaged asphalt and less maintained bike paths, the dual suspension comes into play, which, combined with the 8.5-inch tires, absorbs most minor bumps, improving comfort compared to many scooters with solid wheels. It must be said honestly: on more challenging surfaces, like uneven cobblestones, the relatively compact wheels transmit more vibrations than vehicles with larger diameter tires. This is the natural compromise for a scooter designed to be light and urban, rather than for off-road adventures.

On gentle inclines, its performance is generally adequate for urban use: normal city gradients are handled smoothly. However, when the climb becomes steeper, the character of a vehicle with a 350 W front motor, calibrated more for consistency than for uphill acceleration, emerges: speed drops, and on wet surfaces, traction on the front wheel needs careful management. This is a physiological limitation of the category, which we discuss in the areas for improvement.

In terms of braking, the dual disc brake offers reassuring stopping power and modulation, a valuable asset in city traffic and with heavy loads. Overall control is intuitive, quietness is typical of brushless motors, and on the home-to-work commute on mixed terrain, the Velix proved to be a predictable and straightforward companion — exactly what you'd expect from a last-mile vehicle.

Real-world range

The official figure indicates 30-40 km on a single charge, made possible by the 37V-10.4Ah lithium battery (approximately 384 Wh). This is an honest benchmark for the category, but — as with any electric vehicle — it represents ideal conditions. In real life, range is a moving target, and understanding its variables helps in planning without unpleasant surprises.

Here's what concretely impacts it, based on our tests and reports from careful users:

• Rider's weight: This is the most influential variable. A heavier rider or one with a loaded backpack significantly reduces range, especially with frequent starts from a standstill.
• Temperature: Cold weather penalizes lithium batteries. Below 10 °C, the real range drops noticeably; in winter, it's realistic to expect values below the rated figure, while in spring-summer, it gets much closer to the declared range. In cold conditions, some users have reported an efficiency of around 13-14 Wh/km, with actual distances covered in the order of 28-30 km.
• Riding style: Always full throttle and aggressive starts consume much more than a smooth riding style that utilizes inertia.
• Hills and wind: Every incline and every headwind impacts consumption. A hilly route or a windy day significantly reduces range.
• Tire pressure: Often underestimated. Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance and "eat up" kilometers. Maintaining correct pressure (within the limits indicated on the sidewall, typically up to ~3.4 bar) is the simplest and free way to recover range and comfort.

One aspect to keep in mind: the battery is integrated into the vehicle, so charging must be done by bringing the entire scooter close to an outlet. This is consistent with the model's "last-mile" philosophy, but it should be considered for those who don't have a convenient outlet at their parking spot. The stated charging time is about 5 hours.

Daily comfort

The comfort of the Velix E-Kick 20 is that of a vehicle designed for practicality. The anti-slip deck offers stable footing, and the suspension helps make journeys on urban asphalt pleasant. The handlebar height is fixed (approximately 115 cm): a well-calibrated value for most users, although very tall or very short individuals might prefer the adjustability offered by other models in the range.

Where the Velix E-Kick 20 clearly stands out is its ease of transport. At 18 kg, it's one of the most manageable among scooters with full suspension: lifting it up a few steps or loading it into a car is within reach for many. The rapid folding and compact size when folded make it a good companion for use with public transport — bus, metro, train — where being able to easily take it on board is a concrete advantage. Loading into a car is easy, and its footprint in the boot is small.

Safety

Safety starts with the braking system, and here the Velix E-Kick 20 offers solid guarantees: the dual disc, front and rear, ensures prompt and modulated stops even with its maximum load capacity, which is among the highest in its category (122 kg). The grip provided by the 8.5-inch tires is adequate for urban use, and the suspension helps maintain contact with the ground, indirectly improving control.

In terms of lighting and visibility, the front and rear LED lights make the scooter highly noticeable in low-light conditions. As with all scooters, it's good practice to avoid deep puddles and heavy rain. Particular attention should be paid to front-wheel traction on wet uphill surfaces, where it's best to manage the accelerator progressively.

Who we really recommend it for

Here are the profiles for whom the Velix E-Kick 20 is particularly suitable:

• The urban commuter: This is its ideal audience. Lightweight, foldable, and easy to carry on public transport, it covers the last few kilometers with agility.
• The professional: Those who travel between appointments in the city will appreciate its maneuverability, understated design, and ease of parking, in addition to the app's connectivity.
• The student: For home-to-university commutes and moving around a campus, it offers an excellent balance of lightness, range, and affordable price.
• The camper: Its light weight and compact size when folded make it easy to store, ideal for short trips once you've arrived at your destination.
• The tourist: To explore a city by covering distances that would be prohibitive on foot, it's a practical and immediate companion.
• The everyday user: Those looking for a simple and reliable vehicle for daily routines will find a compelling balance in the Velix.
• Those seeking an alternative to the car: For short urban trips, it replaces a second car for sustainable mobility, eliminating fuel costs and parking problems.

Comparison with other scooters in the same range

The Velix E-Kick 20 is positioned at the heart of the light urban scooter segment. The most natural comparison is with its older sibling, the Velix E-Kick 20 Pro: the latter offers 10" wheels, a removable battery, adjustable handlebars, and greater range, but it comes with a higher weight (around 23 kg) and a higher cost. The base model responds with lightness, a more accessible price, a dedicated app, and a higher maximum load capacity (122 kg versus 117 kg). In essence: the Pro is the comfort/off-road vehicle, while the base model is the pure agile urban dweller.

Compared to other popular benchmarks — the better-known offerings from Ninebot/Segway, Xiaomi, or NIU — the Velix E-Kick 20 offers the combination of full suspension and dual disc brakes, which is not always present in entry-level models, along with app connectivity. Some competitors may offer different and equally valid features: greater constructive refinement, more advanced software ecosystems, or, in some cases, an even lower weight. It's not about choosing an absolute winner, but about identifying priorities: those looking for a balanced, comfortable, and well-braked vehicle at a reasonable price will find a concrete answer in the Velix E-Kick 20.

Pros

• Low weight (approx. 18 kg): among the most manageable for daily commutes and on public transport.
• Full suspension and 8.5" tires: superior comfort compared to solid-wheel scooters.
• Powerful and modular dual disc brakes, reliable even at full load.
• High maximum load capacity (122 kg), among the best in its category.
• Dedicated app (Android/iOS) and smartphone holder with USB: connectivity not common in this price range.
• Folding 6061-T6 aluminum frame: solid and easy to store.
• Standard front and rear LED lighting.
• Accessible price compared to the more equipped models in the range.

Areas for improvement

From a constructive perspective, here are the points where the Velix E-Kick 20 could improve, helpful for making an informed choice.

• Range in challenging conditions: In cold weather, wind, or on hilly routes, the actual range can drop significantly below the stated figure. It's advisable to plan trips with a margin.
• Integrated battery: As it's not removable, charging requires bringing the entire scooter to an outlet. Those who wish to charge the battery separately should opt for the Pro version.
• Uphill thrust and traction: The front motor prioritizes consistency over acceleration; on steep ramps and wet surfaces, the throttle needs to be managed progressively.
• Comfort on rough cobblestones: The 8.5" wheels, despite being dampened, transmit more vibrations on very uneven surfaces compared to models with larger diameter tires.
• Fixed handlebar height: Well-calibrated for most users, but without the customization offered by other models.

Final Verdict

The Velix E-Kick 20 doesn't chase extreme performance, and judging it by those parameters would be off the mark. It's a scooter built around a precise and coherent idea: making daily urban travel light, comfortable, and sustainable. And on that front, it delivers. The combination of full suspension, dual disc brakes, a dedicated app, and a low weight makes it one of the most balanced vehicles in its category for city dwellers.

It should be chosen with an understanding of its nature: it's an agile urban vehicle, not an off-road one, and the integrated battery reflects its last-mile vocation. For commuters, professionals, students, and anyone looking for a concrete and lightweight alternative to a car for short trips in the city, the Velix E-Kick 20 proves to be a solid, practical, and successful proposition. It does what it promises, and it does so with the discretion of a vehicle you can truly rely on every day.

Technical Specifications

Data verified based on the official Z.A.M.I. Medical Care data sheet and manufacturer sources. Where values differ between sources, they are marked as "to be verified".

Want to see it up close? Discover the Velix E-Kick 20 at Z.A.M.I. Medical Care.