Filed under: EV/Plug-in, On Two Wheels
The Scooter Scoop takes a ride on a Vectrix electric scooter
Certainly by now you are aware of the Vectrix electric maxi-scooter, as we have featured it in posts and videos these last few months. The scooter is hitting American shores as we speak, and The Scooter Scoop has gotten a ride on the vehicle and have posted some thoughts. I will spare you all the details of the machine and just remind you that it is (just) capable of highway legal speeds and should get you back and forth to work if your commute is reasonable.
My favorite quote from their review: "I found the fit and finish to be excellent as I excitedly approached this environmentally friendly chick magnet for a closer look (let it be known, this is only the second time that the four words "environmentally friendly" and "chick magnet" have been seen side-by-side... and no, Tesla didn't beat us to it it..."
If that sounds interesting to you, why not check out the rest?
Related:
[Source: The Scooter Scoop]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
George Krpan 9:34PM (6/13/2007)
Looks like a wonderful machine. I'd trade my maxi-scooter in a second (Aprilia Scarabeo 500).
It's too bad about the price, $11,000. I'm sure it's worth it but I have little faith in the American consumer. They could buy a used Harley or new Harley knock off for that money.
Let's hope they'll be able to get the cost down in the future.
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Rick 9:06AM (6/14/2007)
Yes, agreed. Too bad the price is $11 grand. WAY to expensive and better options at that price point. I could get a Segway for each family member for that price!
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Phil L. 9:13AM (6/14/2007)
$11K for a scooter will never fly in the US. The fuel savings doesn't come close to making sense. And, for many parts of the country, scooters are only usable for part of the year. There are lots of used cars (multiple passengers; usable year-round; capable of long trips) with decent fuel mileage available for $11K.
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Charles S 11:59AM (6/14/2007)
I agree that $11k is a lot of money, but at the same time, this is not a vehicle that is marketed toward the "average joe". Its competitor would be ZAP or other NEV like GEM, etc. Nothing against ZAP's Xebra, but this could be a better choice for those who are in the market.
I think I read that they can only make about few thousand yearly anyways, so it would probably worth MORE, if demand exceeds the supply.
Personally, I'm more interested in the electric version of the Piaggio MP3.
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Mike Weston 8:06PM (6/14/2007)
This actually seems like a reasonable deal compared with other electric vehicles. It has longer range and speed than the Segway, ZAP, or the NEVs. It has better range and a much lower price than a NmG, which is also one passenger, albeit with a roof and better safety. It has much lower price than Tesla, Phoenix, and the other expensive cars.
Of course I'm looking at this with my particular commute in mind, which requires more range than most electric vehicles under $30K provide, and at least some speed (45mph for part of it).
In a couple of years there will be more competition, or at least I hope so. And Vectrix will have to come down substantially. But in 2007? Not so much.
I called Vectrix today and talked to an actual person, so maybe they do exist. She seemed pretty sure that they would be selling in California (where I live) in July. Now I need to get a motorcycle license...
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George Krpan 5:11PM (6/15/2007)
I'm sure it's worth the money.
And, that it's a stellar performer.
There would be no faster way to get across town.
Cars get bogged down in traffic no matter how fast they are.
It would take a well driven, very fast car to beat this scooter off the line.
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tatas 9:49PM (6/18/2007)
I get tired of people not realizing that new technology is always expensive and early adopters pay the price for the privelage. Of course this is not affordable for the average Joe but why would it be at this early stage? Don't be so quick to criticize the price because these type of enviro-friendly transportation devices will trickle down to the average consumer eventually. Until then, don't knock it simply because you don't recognize the value yet.
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Christopher 4:25PM (11/13/2008)
“Tatas” tells us that . . “I get tired of people not realizing that new technology is always expensive and early adopters pay the price for the privilege . . . don't be so quick to criticize the price . . . don't knock it simply because you don't recognize the value yet.”
Tatas! I recognize the value proposition, the curb appeal, and the let’s-make-a-statement for change and environment necessity. But $11,000 is an enormous amount of money, especially when my local scoot dealer sells a quite adequate Chinese electric bike for $2,500.00. I bought one, range limitations and all. It’s no R1100RS, but it’s a pleasant alternative to cabs and San Francisco buses. So, my question to you, Tatas, is . . . have you put your money where your mouth is and purchased an electric scoot?
If you don’t reply, Tatas, I’ll know your answer; in fact, we all will.
James 11:11PM (6/22/2007)
I was just in Asia for about 3 years and there are some really exciting bikes that don't go as FAR, but are a fraction of the price and perform really well... They go about 40 miles quite easily and easily carried myself and a friend on one bike almost as far. They are not rated to highways here in the US, but I have seen one recently (pasadena auto show on the June 3rd weekend) that is equivelent to what I saw in asia - for a retail price of 2500. In asia, the Chinese bikes retailed for just under 2000 (say, 1800).
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Lou 9:43AM (7/29/2007)
I have been following Vectrix for a while the original price was going to be $7999 which was an ok price. $11000 is out of range for a scooter. Too bad. If nothing else their first bike should have been reasonable to penetrate the market.
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Dennis 10:29AM (12/25/2007)
I own and ride an electric scooter. Range is between 80 - 120 kilometers depending on wind factor, weight, grade, etc.. Top speed is 65m/h (40 MPH) for 1 person and 55 km/h for 2. Best of all, it cost me approx. USD1,400.00 only. I'm from the Philippines, by the way. Charging time is between 4 to 8 hours. Really, the speed and range is useable especially since its grtidlock here any time of the day w/ ave. speed of 15kmh and destinations are less than 30 kms. away. I don't understand why the Vectrix can cost so much.
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