FONZ Z Series: The Fonz Goes Electric

The best conversations often happen over a good cup of coffee, or in my case, a lemongrass and ginger tea. That’s exactly what happened when I sat down with Michelle Nazzari, one of the founders of FONZ, to chat about their latest bike, the Z Series electric scooter. What started as a casual catch-up turned into a fascinating deep dive into 15 years of Australian electric vehicle innovation.

 

 

The Happy Days Connection

Before we dive into the shiny new Z Series, let's rewind to where it all began. Back in 2010, Michelle and a mate were sitting around enjoying a glass of wine (as you do) trying to come up with a name for their electric scooter startup. "He was like, Fonzarelli!" Michelle recalls. "And I thought, yeah, I kind of love that because I grew up watching Fonzie and Happy Days."

The irony wasn't lost on them, The Fonz famously couldn't  ride very well. Initially, he rode a Harley Davidson Knucklehead, but when Henry Winkler couldn't handle the weight, they switched to a Bud Ekins supplied Triumph Trophy. Anyway back to the topic at hand.

They eventually shortened the name to FONZ, and the Happy Days theme continued with their Arthur series, because why not lean into something that works? Personally, I reckon the next bike in the range should be called the Bud, a fitting tribute to the stunt rider who made The Fonz look cool on two wheels.

From Suitcase Batteries to Design Awards

The journey hasn't always been smooth. Michelle's first attempt in 2012 was, by her own admission, honestly terrible. The battery was removable and was in like a suitcase with a handle and wheels. “Neighbours would ask if I'd just come from the airport. I would get so embarrassed," she admits.

Fast forward to 2025, and FONZ is celebrating 15 years in business. Over that time, they've won multiple automotive design and product awards, proving that persistence and innovation pay off. The evolution is remarkable, and it shows what happens when you stick with something and keep refining your craft.

 

 

 

 

The Z Series: Performance, Redefined

Now, let's talk about why I'm genuinely excited about the Z Series. This isn't just another electric scooter trying to be everything to everyone. FONZ knows exactly who they're building for, and I reckon they've nailed it.

The Z Series comes in two flavours: the standard Arthur Z with up to 100km of urban range, and the Long Range version that'll take you up to 180km. Both pack a 10.7kW direct drive motor that'll rocket you from 0-50km/h in just 2.3 seconds. That's proper performance that'll leave most petrol scooters wondering what the hell just just happened and why it happened so quietly.

But here's what really caught my attention,  the charging flexibility. While the Arthur 7 relies on removable battery packs, the Z Series uses a different battery technology that can fast charge. "You can get up to 100km of range in about an hour from a Type 2 charger," Michelle explains, “so at home I can just plug it into a wall socket, but the real appeal is being able to head out to the shops for lunch and grab a charge while I'm there.”

The top speed is advertised at 100km/h, though Michelle hints there's a bit more in reserve. "We've got a brake test for 100km/h so you can have a little bit of movement.

 

 

Storage That Actually Works

Let's be honest, while most scooters have decent storage space, some are poorly designed. The Z Series fixes this with genuinely massive under saddle storage. "You can fit a full face helmet, like a big helmet, even if you've got a huge head," Michelle grins.

For a daily runabout, this is gold. Groceries, laptop bag, helmet, it all fits. Though if you really need to, you can still balance extra shopping on the footrest between your feet, just like the good old days of playing Tetris with the groceries while trying not to drop the milk.

Built for Real People

What I love about FONZ is they know their customers. Michelle describes their core demographics perfectly: 35-65 year old males who appreciate the engineering, people who care about green credentials and style, and interestingly enough those who hadn't considered a scooter until they saw one of these. The Z Series feels like it's been designed for people who actually ride.

It comes loaded with practical tech. There's an ultra-bright digital dashboard showing everything from range and power consumption to tyre pressure. It's got dual-channel ABS and three riding modes.  It also has a reverse mode, but to be honest, I'm not sure if it’s needed because the bike only weighs 108KG as standard & 126KG for the Long Range. They're in the process also developing and adding traction control.

It features regenerative braking, which not only extends range but fundamentally changes how you ride in traffic. You can control your speed primarily through throttle modulation rather than constantly reaching for the brake lever. If you’ve ridden an electric with regeneration braking you’ll know how genuinely addictive it is.

Sustainability Done Right

But probably the most impressive thing is that FONZ has thought seriously about the entire lifecycle of their bikes. They run a comprehensive battery recycling program where they'll give you $1,000 off a new battery and cover the recycling costs of your old one and the batteries are almost completely recyclable.

Michelle mentioned they are launching a "Heritage Collection”,  fully reconditioned early FONZ models with new powertrains. It's a clever way to keep older bikes out of landfill while offering more affordable entry points into electric motorcycling.

 

 

 

The Warranty Promise

FONZ backs their bikes with solid support: 36 months warranty on the whole bike including the battery, with batteries rated for 50,000 kilometres or seven years. Service costs are capped at $225 annually, and they'll even upgrade existing customers to newer tech at discounted rates. It’s the kind of customer service that really builds loyalty.

Why This Makes Sense

For someone in my situation, a 30km commute into the city, the Z Series ticks a lot of boxes. The 180km range covers my weekly riding with a charge every couple of days and the fast charging means I can top up while grabbing coffee if need be. The storage means I can actually use it for practical stuff like carrying a laptop and other essentials.

At $9,690 ride-away for the base model, it's competitive with premium petrol scooters while offering that instant electric torque and zero running emissions.

 

15 Years and Counting

As Michelle reflects on FONZ's 15-year journey, there's genuine pride in what they've achieved. From those embarrassing suitcase batteries to winning design awards, they've stuck with their vision of making electric mobility accessible and enjoyable for everyday Australians.

We'll be getting a Z Series for a week or so in early October, so expect to see a proper road test soon. But based on this conversation and what I've seen, FONZ has created something special with the Z Series. It's thoughtfully designed, properly engineered, and built for people who actually want to ride…and also make a statement.

The best products come from companies that know exactly what they're trying to achieve. FONZ clearly does, and the Z Series is proof that Australian innovation is alive and well.

The FONZ Z Series starts at $9,690 ride-away, with the Long Range version available for an additional $2,300. For more information, visit fonzmoto.com

Want to share your own electric vehicle experiences? Contact us at Biker Torque, we’d love to hear from you.