Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Santa Monica Alt Car Expo, On Two Wheels, Vectrix
Pick up your Vectrix electric scooter at the AltCar Expo
Are you craving an battery-powered, open-air two seater but can't swing $100K for a Tesla Roadster? Maybe the Vectrix scooter is a little more your speed, financially. The stylish NiMH powered two-wheeler will run you $11,000 for it's 68-mile range and 62 mph top speed. If you're in the Santa Monica, California area this weekend, you can swing by the AltCarExpo and take it for a test ride. If you like it you can even buy one there.
[Source: Vectrix]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mr. Guiyotinne 10:19AM (10/15/2007)
Are there any numbers of how well the vectrix is doing around the world? I know they started to sell recently but i´m interested in them (and their three-wheeled scooter) and there aren´t lot of news about it.
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pedmac 12:06PM (10/15/2007)
looks pretty sharp... NIMH batteries have a good proven safety record
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Dustin 4:14AM (10/16/2007)
I can only imagine what this thing feels like at full speed down a hill!! 62+?!? yikes!
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Marc 10:35PM (12/23/2007)
The Suprbike is just a model of something that does not exist, at all. The idea for Vectrix was to see if the public liked the way the bike looked, and then they were going to try to manufacture it and sell it as a limited edition for $60,000. Again, this bike does not exist, it’s just a model. This was a project started by Carlo Diabigio, former Ducati Director, but Vectrix has since fired Carlo and replaced him with some person who is lost in this 2 wheel world. The Superbike won’t be built, and is another example how Vectrix loves to sell the HYPE, not the real thing!
Vectrix, is a joke of a company along with their bike. Truth: there 2 wheeler can only go a range of 30 to maybe 38 miles total! The bike weighs 525 lbs., and they are supposed to switch to Lithium batteries in 9 months, late 2008; so why waste you money now? $12,000 +, this is way too much for a scooter! Also, they have SEVERE software issues that give false readings for estimated range, after cruising along for 10 miles or so, it immediately drops down to zero miles range, and no battery left!!
You know why they have home delivery service? Because Vectrix bike wont go far enough to get to your home and they are afraid that it will break down on the way home, too!
The company is run by wanna be that do not understand the real world demands of electric. Their arrogant group back in Rhode Island are nothing but a bunch of former yachts men, playing with electrical toys they do not know how to manufacturer.
Oh, the Vectrix bike is made in Poland! Why not the good old USA??
Advice: stay away from Vectrix, they are selling the hype. The bike looks nice on the outside, but it doesn’t hold up in the real world!
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Danny UK 7:12AM (9/08/2008)
Good lord Marc, do you actually know what you are talking about at all?
The Vectrix does indeed exist. It is manufactured in the US and Poland and is on widespread sale. 80% of all Polish manufacture currently goes to Italy. The remainder is to other European locations. US production is for the US, no surprise there.
I actually have one of these since August 2008 and I can testify that it does exist - either that or I am commuting 25 miles each way on my imagination alone!
The Vectrix does all that it says on the box. It out-performs very many Scooters and not a few Motorcycles also. Other riders are gobsmacked that the electric Vectrix can perform as it does. The only limitation to is is the range at the moment. Using it at 55mph on the freeway I arrive at my destination with easily another 15 miles left, so it is good for 40 miles with 17 miles freeway and the rest town riding.
In 2008 the Vectrix is a complete reality that will take on any of its gas powered counterparts effortlessly.
When the fuel-cell hybrid comes out I will either upgrade mine if that is available or replace it.
Don't listen to the naysayers like Marc, this is the way to go.
Marc Gilbert 8:18PM (9/15/2008)
Sorry Danny UK, you must have been writing your new fiction novel with the comments you posted about Vectrix. Having owned one and gotten rid of it here in the USA, I do know about Vectrix. You are a rare owner of a bike that can handle such distances, but most likely you work for Vectrix in Europe!
Vectrix has severe software issues, and Peter Hughes, who is Vectrix chief Tech guy will admit there are many, many hurdles before Vectrix has the option or offering for fuel-cell hybrid’ it won’t happen!
The “superbike” that was shown at Milan, is a classic example of an idea and a waste of money that Vectrix has spent that don’t work! Danny-U.K. I was referring to the superbike, if you would read more closely. And Yes, the Vectrix is manufactured in Poland, as Vectrix assumed the key market would be in Europe first, not the U.S.A, but some Vectrix’s are made in New Bedford-Mass.
Fact Vectrix had over 2,500 bikes in the warehouse and they HAD to discount the price to $9,000 or so just to sell some of them, and they have labeled these bikes 2007 models. But, the 2008 models are EXACTLY the same as the 2007. So, buy a 2007 and save some money??
Vectrix spent millions upon millions for a 3 wheeler that they will never bring to market, but they have (2) prototypes. Another wasted venture!
If you are commuting 25 miles each way, you are probably going about 30 miles per hour, not my definition of an alternative source for commuting, but probably a beach cruiser at most.
So, when I am being called a naysayer as Danny U.K. has labeled me, I speak facts, not fiction, as Danny so likes to put it.
In conclusion Vectrix has made great efforts to bring to market an electric 2 wheeler, but it gets a C- minus for its final grade. Mike Boyle replacing Andy McGowan (the former CEO & founder) shows the problems Vectrix is having with its staff, which is they don’t know what they are doing. Check out EVCUSA.com or maybe any other electrical 2 wheel company, but save your money when it comes to Vectrix.
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