Bo M review: the new e-scooter designed to replace your car

Sell it to me in a sentence…

This is the Bo M, a premium electric scooter from Bristol-based brand Bo – and it’s one of the most innovative two-wheeled machines you can get your hands on thanks to its intricate design and ultra-modern technology. 

I’ve not heard of Bo - tell me more about the brand…

Bo is the brainchild of three ex-automotive engineers who have worked for the likes of Formula 1 tech spinoff Williams Advanced Engineering (now WAE) and car giant Jaguar Land Rover. 

CEO Oscar Morgan and CTO Harry Willis also had spells at established e-scooter brand Pure Electric, but left to bring the Bo project to life. 

The team set out to apply their knowledge of automotive design and engineering practice to e-scooters, with the aim of creating an “urban micro-mobility vehicle” that could replace your car. 

After four years of development, the brand’s first model – the M -– is heading for the production line. 

We’ve already tested an early prototype of the Bo, but recently had the opportunity to ride a pre-production version at the in London. 

A quick recap on e-scooter legislation

It is illegal to ride a privately owned electric scooter on public roads in the UK, with only rental e-scooters that form part of the government's dedicated trial eligible for use on roads and pavements. 

The government announced plans to legalise the machines last year, with the intention of creating a new vehicle class as part of a Transport Bill that has to pass through parliament. However, delays have put the legalisation of e-scooters on the back-burner and it’s unlikely that we’ll get a definitive decision until next year. 

It doesn't look like a typical e-scooter…

There’s no denying that the M is a striking and sleek looking machine, with the smooth, curved chassis delivering bucket loads of style. The firm says its new machine was designed to sit between an e-scooter and e-bike, with the M capable of travelling longer distances than most e-scooters. 

The most notable feature is the M’s single-piece curved chassis – or Monocurve as Bo has named it. By joining the footboard and steering column into a single structure, the unibody structure is stronger and more rigid according to its makers. 

Asked if the firm would ever consider a folding electric scooter, Bo CEO Morgan said: “We’re not religious about the single frame concept. We had to come up with something that would help the business survive so we decided to focus on creating something that was brilliant to ride.”

“There are dozens of great folding e-scooters out there, but we’ve targeted Bo at someone very specific. This is for someone travelling from home to work and wants to have the safest mode enjoyable ride.”

Another neat innovation showcased on the Bo M is the footboard, or Airdeck as they call it. It’s made from 11mm EVA anti-vibration foam, the same material found in the soles of performance running shoes, which is intended to reduce road vibrations and remove the need for more complex and expensive suspension.

You certainly feel an added layer of comfort on the move, but what really helps is the footboard’s dimensions. It’s wide and long, which means you can easily find a comfortable riding position even if you like to ride with your feet together. 

The Bo also features a wraparound LED ‘Light Halo’ that is integrated into the M’s Monocurve chassis and is designed to offer 270 degrees of illumination to improve visibility for other road users. 

To our eyes, it’s a super-clean and modern design that delivers a futuristic and minimalist aesthetic which is synonymous with many premium car brands and tech firms. 

“Think of the M as our Porsche 911,” said Morgan. 

“The whole point of Bo was to have this aluminium unibody that would act as a proper chassis like a vehicle has. Because we went down this route we were able to gain a number of practical benefits and make it a lot stiffer and stronger, and then tuned it to make it lighter.”

Does it have the range to match its closest rivals?

The Bo is powered by a 665Wh battery and 500W electric motor and has a top speed of 21.7mph – although the team says this can be altered depending on regulations of a specific market. 

Peak power is up to 1200W, with the Bo able to travel up to 31 miles. The battery can be charged in around three hours on a standard electricity connection. 

The Bo also features a neat Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) electronic brake on the rear, which helps to recharge the battery when braking, helping to increase the range.  

What is it like to ride?

We were able to sample the e-scooter on a number of pathways around west London, it was immediately clear that the Bo’s build quality has had a positive impact on its ride and handling. 

Speaking of handling, one car-based development that Bo was keen to highlight was Safesteer, an active system that stabilises the road across bumps and potholes. Simply put, the steering column self-centres the same way your car would if you took your hands off the wheel. 

It’s an intelligent system that works well, helping to remove the jarring sensation that you might feel through the handlebars when riding over a bump on a more basic e-scooter. 

The steering also had a nice weight to it, and while it feels heavier that rivals it suits the machine well. 

The thumb throttle on the right handle allowed for a good level of control. You have to push the M to get it moving before the power kicks in, and when it does, its a smoother and more linear delivery than in cheaper scooters. 

That being said, it would have been nicer to have a more throttle modulation at lower speeds, but in fairness, Bo hadn’t finalised the throttle mapping before our test ride. 

The KERS e-brake worked well, providing a firm level of stopping power. The system was also yet to be signed off by Bo, but during our experience it worked in a similar vein to the regenerative brakes on an EV and helped bring the speed of the machine down without the jerkiness of a physical brake. 

All in all, it’s an excellent e-scooter to ride. Even on rougher terrain it dealt with surface joints, cracks and imperfections well, remaining composed at all times. 

Are there any drawbacks?

Of course the lack of a folding mechanism is the most notable drawback, but Bo never intended for the M to be a folding machine, stating that this was the biggest weak link on e-scooter design. 

Research conducted by Bo also suggests that the bulk of e-scooter owners rarely fold their machines for storage. If its lack of folding hinge is an issue however, then the Pure Advance Flex or Lavoir Series 1 would be the closest alternatives to the Bo. 

How much does it cost?

The Bo is positioned at the top end of the premium market and therefore comes with a hefty price tag of £2249. That puts it above current leading machines such as Pure Advance Flex and recently launched Lavoie Series 1. 

You can reserve a Bo M now via the brand’s website, with first deliveries expected in February 2024. The M will then be made available in the US. 

Verdict

The Bo M is one of the best e-scooters we’ve tested this year due to its excellent, confidence-inspiring ride and great ergonomics. 

Of course, there are some question marks over its design and the lack of a folding mechanism will be a deal-breaker for some. As will the M’s price tag. 

But if you can afford the Bo, there is no doubt this is one of the best quality e-scooters you can buy today. Despite its drawbacks, Bo has created a machine with a very specific use case in mind which pushes e-scooter development to a whole new level. 

There’s no doubt that the Bo M is a brilliant machine that has the credentials to have a big influence on the future of e-scooter design and technology.

Move Electric rating: four-and-a-half stars out of five