HMP’s new $3,999 electric scooter is the affordable, street-legal commuter the US needs

The US electric two-wheeler market has no shortage of high-powered electric motorcycles and moped-style e-bikes. But if you’re looking for something in between – a practical, street-legal electric scooter built for everyday transportation rather than weekend thrills – your options are surprisingly limited. That’s why the new HMP Lightning MK.II caught my attention. After recently covering the company’s flagship Flash electric scooter, which offers a blistering 75 mph (120 km/h) top speed, HMP is now introducing a more approachable model that feels better suited to the needs of most riders. The new Lightning MK.II tops out at 56 mph (90 km/h), costs just US $3,999, and is designed specifically for commuting, errands, and even delivery work. For many riders, that combination may actually make it the more compelling option. The Lightning MK.II is classified as a DOT-approved motorcycle, meaning it can be registered, plated, and insured for road use. In some states like California, that also means riders can legally take advantage of lane splitting, one of the biggest benefits of commuting on two wheels. By filtering and lane splitting where safe and appropriate, electric scooters and motorcycles turn into effective, efficient traffic busters. There’s nothing quite like the cheat code feeling of zipping through standstill traffic as if it weren’t even there. Power comes from a swingarm-mounted electric motor producing 4,000W of continuous power and up to 7,000W peak, pushing the scooter to its 56 mph (90 km/h) top speed. That’s paired with a removable 74V 45Ah (3.33 kWh) lithium battery that offers up to 62 miles (100 km) of range under ideal conditions. Plus, even with that huge battery, there’s still more storage room underneath the seat. Like many modern electric scooters, the battery can be removed for charging indoors, eliminating one of the biggest hurdles for apartment dwellers or anyone without access to outdoor charging. The included 120V charger fills the pack in around 4.5 hours, making overnight charging simple, or even topping up at work. Hey, it may only cost $0.50 to charge up, but why not let your employer pay for your ‘fuel’? The scooter is also designed with practicality in mind. It seats two riders, supports up to 397 lb (180 kg), and includes a rack-ready rear end for cargo or delivery accessories. HMP also opted for a side-mounted motor and single-sided swingarm, making rear tire and brake maintenance significantly easier than on many traditional scooters. One thing I particularly like is that HMP ships the scooter fully assembled. Unlike many lower-cost electric motorcycles and scooters that require varying degrees of setup after delivery, the Lightning MK.II arrives ready to ride. While 56 mph (90 km/h) might sound modest compared to the ever-growing crop of high-speed electric motorcycles, it’s worth remembering that this is already enough performance for the vast majority of urban riding. In fact, my wife and I have relied on a nearly identical performance Gogoro electric scooter as our only “big” vehicle for years. We do almost everything else on e-bikes, but whenever we need to travel farther to neighboring cities or suburbs, carry more, or simply keep up with faster city traffic, the scooter gets the job done. It comfortably carries both of us, handles grocery runs with ease, and has proven that scooter life can absolutely replace a car for many urban households. So I’m already sold on the scooter lifestyle and can tell you that a bike like the Lightning MK.II is probably enough for the vast majority of urban residents out there. And that’s one reason I’m always excited to see more companies bringing practical electric scooters to the US market. Unlike Europe or much of Asia, where electric scooters have become a common sight, American buyers still have remarkably few options. The market tends to jump straight from e-bikes to more expensive and powerful electric motorcycles, leaving a noticeable gap for affordable, approachable urban transportation. And that’s not even mentioning the added utility that step-through seated scooters offer compared to full-on electric motorcycles. At $3,999, the HMP Lightning MK.II helps fill that gap in the market. It offers enough speed for real-world commuting, removable battery convenience, room for two riders, and pricing that’s thousands less than many electric motorcycles. If more companies start building electric scooters like this, I think we’ll finally begin seeing the kind of practical electric transportation that’s already transforming cities elsewhere in the world. And for riders looking for a genuine car alternative rather than just another recreational toy, that’s very good news indeed! FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.