We have already featured the Pure Air Pro model in our roundup of the best e-scooters, praising it for its sturdy build, whilst noting it wasn't the cheapest e-scooter out there. The latest models from Pure, the Advance range, look to take build quality and rider safty to a new level with an innovative forward-facing design. Here we take a look at the Advance+ model. The other two models in the range, the Advance and the Advance Flex, have a smaller battery in the case of the former and a folding main body in the case of the latter.

A quick reminder: At the time of writing, it is illegal to use an e-scooter on public roads unless the vehicle is part of one of the government approved share schemes that are in operation up and down the country. They are however set to be legalised through the creation of a new low-speed, zero-emission vehicle category, although there is still no word on exactly when this will happen or what the exact requirements will be for such a vehicle.

Why forward facing?

Most electric scooters have a sideways riding position. However, the Pure Advance+ features solidly constructed fold-down 'standing platforms' either side of the main body. Pure say this produces a "more stable, balanced and comfortable ride."

This isn't all that the Advance+ has up its sleeve to distinguish it from other e-scooters. Most notably it packs forward and rear facing turn indicators - on the handlebars and the standing platforms - along with front and rear lights, plus a brake light. There are also reassuringly large volume 10” x 2.5” tyres.

The hub motor not only claims a respectable-sounding 710W peak power, its position in the rear hub should also produce a more balanced ride and more balanced braking. It acts as the main electronic brake whilst you also have the backup of a less powerful hub brake in the front wheel.  

Talking of balance, the battery (capacity strangely not revealed by Pure) is housed in the sloping 'mainframe' keeping the weight low down but avoiding the potential pitfalls of putting the battery directly under a standing deck which many other models do. The Advance+ body design again combines innovation with practicality.   

You get a folded package of 103 x 56 x 16 cm which rests very solidly on the kickstand. Again solidity and safety are at the heart of the fold as it clips together securely and the folded package cannot easily become unfolded. This is an unnerving scenario that can happen with other designs reliant on clipping the bars to a rear mudguard that is itself a moving part (acting as a friction brake), leaving the potential for a nasty accident. 

All in all, an initial inspection indeed gives the impression of a solidly made e-scooter with unique safety features at its heart. Let's see if it fulfils that promise when ridden...

Does it really ride more safely?

The face-forward position feels like an advance in safety and comfort (it's not an entirely new idea - Taur also employ it on their e-scooters). Most notably, it felt easier to lean into corners at full speed, taking advantage of the better balance you can achieve in this position. Also, surprisingly, I found it easier to look back over my shoulder and keep control of the scooter compared to riding ‘side-on’. There is also self-centreing steering, which probably helps in such scenarios where you aren't looking directly at the way ahead. 

Acceleration is more gradual than I expected (safety in mind again, no doubt) but the Advance+ beat the other e-scooters I've tried up my test climb, albeit only by a couple of seconds. I also liked the fact the face-forward position meant it was easier to get your weight back and easily hop the front wheel over kerbs - but be careful not to do an unplanned wheelie! 

The 10” x 2.5” large volume tyres also undoubtedly helped with handling and played their part in nicely modulated and effective braking. Range on full power worked out at around 15 miles over moderately hilly terrain and the Advance+ gave a smooth and powerful ride. 

The indicating system is simply the best I've come across on any e-scooter or e-bike. Two buttons by your left thumb let you indicate left or right and a beeper sounds when indicating, so you don’t forget to cancel the turn signal. Best of all they are highly visible from the front and rear. 

The display on the Advance+ is more run-of-the-mill, yet it's still a pretty effective and highly visible LCD affair showing your speed up to its maximum of 15.5mph, with a battery icon showing battery bars underneath that disappear as you use up the remaining capacity. My only realy disappointment was that the battery bars disappeared quickly at the end of the ride and that makes it hard to judge just when you might run out of power. 

There is also an app that adds estimated range and the ability to remotely lock the motor as an anti-theft feature, but personally I would only use it to keep the Advanced+'s software up to date.

Value

At £899 the Pure Advance+ is a big wodge of cash for an e-scooter where the market is dominated by models several hundred pounds less. With Inokim having just left the UK and Aike not yet having arrived there really is very little competition for the Pure Advance range other than Taur, which is significantly more money and its spec doesn't appear to exceed the Pure Advance+. So what you are really looking at is a choice between the three models in the Pure Advance range.

The ‘entry level’ Advance costs £799 and is the same as the Advance+ except that it has a slightly smaller battery, whilst the Advance Flex costs £1,099 but has a fold-in-half frame and so folds down to a much more compact package. 

All models are covered by a warranty of 12 months which seems a little stingy as two years is the commonly accepted standard for better e-bikes. Other grumbles include that poor battery capacity gauge and the fact that the mudguards are plastic, not alloy like many other parts on the Advance+.

In summary though, I feel the Advance+  is a real step forward in e-scooter design as regards safety and it's a lovely smooth and powerful ride too. There's nothing else quite like it out there and it's highy recommended. 

pureelectric.com