Filed under: EV/Plug-in, China
Chinese electric scooter now available in Ann Arbor
As a college town with an image (not entirely deserved, by the way) as a bastion of liberalism, Ann Arbor, MI has long had a fringe population of oddball vehicles. It's not that unusual to spot an electric vehicle like a Corbin Sparrow or a first-generation Smart ForTwo puttering around town. So far I have yet to see a Vectrix electric scooter anywhere near my office, which is not surprising given its $11,000 price tag which has resulted in only 123 sales to date. John Harding has set up a business in town offering up a range of Chinese-built electric bicycles, scooters and ATVs. Our pals over a Winding Road paid a visit to Harding and sampled the XM-2000, a scooter with a 2 kW electric motor and 60V worth of batteries. While it's not quite as stylish a ride as the Vectrix, its $2,000 price is quite a bit easier on the budget. The 40-45mph top end and 30-mile range is workable for getting around town emissions free. Other products in the lineup range from a $549 electric bicycle to a 4 wheel electric ATV for $699.
[Source: Revolution EV, via Winding Road]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mort 7:05PM (2/04/2008)
http://pppad.blogspot.com/2007/09/japan-kicks-again.html
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Dave 7:22PM (2/04/2008)
I like this and the one in the messsage link above. Retail pricing is more reasonabe. These should sell like hot cakes as gas prices will continue to rise and people will have to look for alternate form of transportation.
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Mattias 7:53PM (2/04/2008)
It has a "variable speed throttle". That's a big improvement on digital sped throttles.
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drivin98 8:23PM (2/04/2008)
Before buying an XM=2000 or a scooter from EVT America I would do a little due diligence to see what you are getting into. I would start here.
http://visforvoltage.org/forums/electric-rides/motorcycles-and-large-scooters
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Mort 9:48PM (2/04/2008)
drivin98,
Great link, thanks!
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Peekoyle 3:05AM (2/05/2008)
If only they had a cheap EV scooter that did 55mph and had a 40mile range we might see a revolution.
Small Firefly batteries would be perfect for the el-cheapo Scooter market.
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phil easler 9:32AM (2/05/2008)
Hey - Don't leave out the EVT America Z20 or R20.
Those e-scooters are great!!
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Dennis 10:55PM (2/06/2008)
I've ridden that exact scooter except with a 1,500 Watt motor. Also got it from China but for USD$1,200.00. Most I can do is 50 km/h and around 60 kilometer range. (although I feel it can reach 60 km/h given more road) Same 60 volt battery. Am curious how the 2000 Watt perform. Lead acid is bulky but at least 10x cheaper than Li-Ion.
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ebikehub 9:54PM (2/08/2008)
who needs a scooter for college. Get an e-bike. Its just as fast, you can get a kit for about $500 its not as nerdy and it goes almost and fast and far. (Plenty out there, very few people know what they are)
www.ebikehub.com the website for everything about electric bikes.
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andy 4:52PM (2/12/2008)
E-scooters that still use lead acid batteries are like carrying around a boat anchor.
A lithium scooter can be found at FalconEV.com
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John 2:28PM (3/25/2008)
You might be interested to know that the XM-3000 will be available at the end of April - see http://www.revevllc.com/xm3000.php It is the same physical dimensions as the XM-2000 except it has a 3000 Watt rated motor, a 10 Amp charger and features regenerative braking. Cost $2000.
Also, the XM-3500 is coming along mid May with a larger frame (think Vectrix like), a 3500W motor and Lithium batteries. Cost $3000 - it will be the least expensive lithium option out there.
Happy riding...
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chepon 4:38AM (6/14/2009)
Don't buy it online; I had a XM-3000Li shipped to my house for $4,000.00 after reading all the hoopla, I got a piece of junk that I never unpacked, it was damaged when I got it, ended up paying $800.00 out of packet to have UPS returned it and a fight with my Credit Card Company, they are Chinese and are not built well, If it was falling to pieces brand new I can't think of what it would happen after a few hundred miles.
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