ES500
Origin
Okai (Zhejiang Okai Vehicle Co.) was founded in 2006 by Jiangtao Lu and grew into one of the world's larger micromobility manufacturers, with R&D and offices across Hangzhou/Lishui in China, Essen (Germany) and Pomona (California). Okai built much of its reputation as an OEM/ODM supplier — the hardware behind many of the shared rental scooters seen in European and US cities — before pushing its own consumer brand direct to buyers. The ES500 sits at the entry point of that consumer line: a no-frills, fleet-derived folding commuter engineered for durability and low maintenance rather than speed or long range. It launched around 2021 and was also offered as the ES500 Pro, distinguished mainly by its 10-inch solid tires and commuter-focused packaging.
Specifications
- Frame
- Aircraft-grade aluminium alloy, one-click folding mechanism
- Weight
- kg
- Brakes
- Front: electromagnetic (regen) + drum; Rear: drum. Dual/double braking system
The verdict
- Practically maintenance-free — solid tires never puncture and enclosed drum brakes barely need servicing
- Genuinely portable: light (~17 kg), compact one-click fold, easy to carry onto public transport
- Robust, fleet-grade build from a large established OEM, at an entry-level price
- Solid tires transmit every bump — harsh ride on rough or cobbled surfaces
- Modest performance: ~25 km/h and ~25 km range, weak on hills, not for longer commutes
- Drum + electromagnetic braking is soft and fades compared to disc brakes; no real suspension
Generations
ES500
- Base commuter trim; core spec of the range.
ES500 Pro
- Same drivetrain and battery; distinguished mainly by 10-inch solid tires and commuter packaging. No meaningful performance gain over the base ES500.
Versions & builds
Every official build side by side — differences highlighted.
| Spec | ES500 | CurrentES500 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Year | 2021 | 2021 |
| MSRP | €499 | €549 |
| Purpose | Value | Value |
Tags
Related models
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