Range anxiety is a common concern among electric vehicle users. And this can also apply to e-bikes. The Fiido L3 is Popcycle’s bestseller with the main selling point being its long range.

I tested the new Fiido L3+ to see how far it can go on a single full charge. What I found was that it’s a highly capable electric workhorse. And it could be your best bet in escaping Carmageddon.

Here’s a rundown of the basic specs. The L3+ is propelled by a 350W rear-hub motor for a top speed of up to 40km/h. Powering this is a removable 48V, 23.2Ah lithium-ion battery with an advertised maximum range of 250km. The wheels measure 14 inches by 1.95 inches, and are equipped with mechanical disc brakes.

As far as the bells and whistles are concerned, the e-bike has all of them: fenders and lights at the front and the back, as well as an integrated rear rack. The frame even has a bottle cage mount—a rarity among electric folding bikes.

Thanks to Popcycle’s collaboration with Fiido, the L3+ has new features. The cabling is routed internally for a cleaner look; you can use the ramp-assist mode when walking with it on steep inclines; and the bike can be connected to the Fiido app for added functionality.

The Fiido L3+ has the form of an electric bicycle, yet it can function like an e-scooter. The pedal-assist system uses a cadence sensor, which activates the motor after a few turns of the crank. Meanwhile, the twist throttle lets you effortlessly move the vehicle.

As much as I’d like to use it like an ordinary bicycle, it is hindered by the laggy response and the single-speed drivetrain. The gearing is too heavy when getting started, and once you’ve built enough momentum, the motor has already kicked in—reducing the crank to a hamster wheel.

That’s why I prefer operating it with just the throttle. The acceleration is punchy and responsive, suitable when maneuvering amid faster-moving traffic or climbing steep hills.

The best part about riding something like the L3+ is that—because it’s so small and unobstructive—you can breeze through traffic like a hot knife through butter. Combine this with electric propulsion and you get the mobility benefits of cycling without the exhaustion.

With small wheels and a short wheelbase, the L3+ feels like it climbs over bumps rather than rolls over them. And this is more pronounced with greater speed. So you’ll have to slow down if you can’t avoid obstacles. Personally, I recommend 30km/h as the maximum speed for safe cruising in the city.

Although the stopping power is decent, the bike does not slow down smoothly. Despite a steady press on the brake levers, there was pulsing that would rock me back and forth as I decelerated. This was present in other units, too.

However, I didn’t notice the pulsing when I tried a friend’s L3+ with third-party hydraulic brakes installed. Also, make sure the headset is tightened properly so there isn’t any play (or alog) between the steerer and the frame.

The moment I got the hang of riding the L3+, I knew that reaching 250km with a full charge would be impossible. According to Fiido’s site, the maximum range with the throttle is 129km, so I figured that 100km might be a more realistic target.

From a full charge, I got a mileage of 76km by the time the battery was at 20%. Draining it completely isn’t wise, and running out of juice on the road would be a great hassle, too. Applying ratio and proportion yields a range of 95km.

Though far from the advertised range, this was achieved in less-than-ideal conditions with the majority of riding done on hilly terrain. Still, the L3+ boasts significantly more range than the usual electric bicycle. That’s why delivery riders favor it.

The L3+ is also a folding bicycle with hinges at the stem and the frame. The feature is nice to have, but it lacks the convenience of a trifold. So its benefit will depend on each person’s use case.

I’d fold the L3+ and bring it with me when eating at restaurants. But it weighs 24kg, so I wouldn’t stroll around the mall with it. And given how difficult riding the MRT can be at times, I’d think twice before bringing it up and down the station.

Even if you drive most of the time, the Fiido could be stored in the trunk—sort of like a Honda Motocompacto on steroids. So if ever you need a last-mile option, you can always bring out the L3+ and ride away.

Popcycle exclusively distributes the L3+ under the brand Fiido L3+ Philippines with an SRP of P45,000.

If you want something that can be pedaled even without any electric assist, you’ll have to consider other alternatives. But if you just need a ride for the daily commute, then the L3+ will serve you well despite its limitations.

The key to having a mobile lifestyle is being able to move whenever you need to. That’s why having a plethora of transportation alternatives is crucial.

The Fiido L3+ may look like a toy. But underneath the glossy paint is a potent and light e-bike that can get you from point A to B and back, with plenty of juice to spare.