Urb-E is a prototype electric scooter debut at CES 2014

Ben Popper takes a spin around the Las Vegas Convention Center on the Urb-E, a prototype foldable electric scooter that its creators claim is the world's lightest. The concept personal vehicle will be seeking backers on Kickstarter in February.

The past few years have seen an explosion in the number of innovative electric personal transportation vehicles. But the ultra-simple Urb-E claims to be the world's most compact folding electric vehicle, and it's undoubtedly one of the world's most bizarre. The prototype device making its public debut at CES 2014 is an eye-catcher — with bright colors and polka-dot metallic frame — though whether that's a good thing is a matter of personal taste. It comes in both two-and three-wheeled models.

At 25 pounds, the majority of its weight in battery, the scooter felt even lighter than we expected. It reportedly charges in three hours, with a range of 20 miles per charge, more than enough to get urban commuters from the subway or bus to their office, or to run errands around their neighborhoods
The folding mechanism wasn't immediately intuitive, but it was simple enough to master after a quick tutorial. And the 15-mile-per-hour electric motor made us the envy of all others when navigating the crowded showroom floor of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
"" The past few years have seen an explosion in the number of innovative electric personal transportation vehicles. But the ultra-simple Urb-E claims to the the world’s lightest foldable electric scooter, and it’s undoubtedly one of the world’s most bizarre""