There’s no denying that e-bikes and e-trikes have gotten a bad rap lately. But the Afreda S6 isn’t your ordinary e-trike: Meet the world’s first folding electric reverse three-wheeler e-bike.
ALSO READ:Explainer: How to register e-bikes and other light electric vehicles with the LTOFirst ride: Hatasu’s Nero and Mako 2 e-bikes offer convenient transport on a budgetIt’s hard not to think of a rover used for space exploration when you first see the Afreda S6 up close. With two front wheels instead of one, a metallic silver alloy body, aluminum alloy handlebars, and an edgy robot-like design, the Afreda S6 looks like it belongs on another planet.
The Afreda comes with a basket in front and side mirrors on the handlebars, which I found a bit flimsy with all the vibrations on the road. You’ll want to bring tools to adjust these or drive at slower speeds.The Afreda S6 is powered by two battery packs that offer a long range. It uses a Lithium Ion 48V 15.6Ah for 2 Batteries with each one capable of 500-800 cycles. Charging time takes four to six hours.
Admittedly, during the review period, I used this only in nearby areas around our neighborhood and within a university campus with flat roads and well-established bike lanes. Actual performance may differ once you take it out in the wild streets of Metro Manila or if you have to travel up hilly or steep areas regularly. Driving the Afreda felt a bit jarring at first, but it didn't take long to get the hang of it. The bike comes in two modes suitable for both beginners and experienced riders.