Over the last few weeks, we've heard rumblings around the internet that electric scooter maker Vectrix might not be on firm financial footing. The first signs of trouble became apparent last month as reports from the UK indicated that Vectrix "will not be able to publish its Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 September 2008 until, inter alia, the successful completion of a fund-raising exercise." That caused the London Stock Exchange to halt trading of the company's stock. The latest news from Vectrix sounds equally as discouraging.

On Tuesday, Vectrix announced that, while continuing to look for new funding, the company "will now begin to seek other strategic alternatives which could include a merger or sale of the business." Further, some 60 staff members appear to have been let go, and trading of Vectrix stock remains suspended.

We sent a note to Vectrix last week asking if they could shed any more light on the situation, but we've yet to hear back. Stay tuned.

[Source: Forbes]

Vectrix used the New York Motorcycle Show to introduce its two newest electric scooters last week. Until today, we were still a bit hazy on what changes were made to the VX-1E as compared to the original VX-1 that allowed Vectrix to lower the price to $8,495 (the original, which is still available in 2009, sells for $1,500 more). The big difference reportedly lies in a new lead acid battery pack, which should have the effect of dropping range, acceleration and top speed a bit. Also lost is regenerative braking. Is all that worth $1,500?

The second new model is the VX-2, which is sourced from a Chinese manufacturer that also offers the machine in Europe as the E-Max 110s, though with a different set of body panels. The VX-2 also uses sealed lead acid batteries, which allow for a range of 45-50 miles and a top speed of around 30 miles per hour. According to Vectrix, the VX-2 will sell for $5,195. The next vehicle on the menu could quite possibley be a three-wheeled machine using technology developed by Piaggio.


[Source: Dealernews Blog]

We've been anticipating the release of a few new soots from Vectrix, the only current manufacturer of electric maxiscooters. The flagship model has been named VX-1 and two new models are set to be debuted at the motorcycle show in New York, which starts today. The next electric machine down the line is known as the VX-1E and is based on the same platform and drivetrain as its larger brother. The difference? We're a bit fuzzy on that, but Vectrix says that it will have a bit less top speed and acceleration. More when we get it.

The lowest model on the chain is the VX-2, which is supposed to offer similar performance to a standard 50cc gas-powered scooter. In other words, expect a top speed of around 30 miles per hour and the ability to accelerate a bit quicker than a typical economy car. Range on the VX-2 is said to be 45-50 miles and the price will be $5,195.


[Source: Vectrix]

We've been enamored with ROBRADY's design for an electric superbike since we first saw it over a year ago. It may have taken a while, but the electric motorcycle (the design was commissioned by Vectrix, the electric maxiscooter company), is just now getting some love from the powers-that-be in the design world. The concept won a Design Award from the prestigious Red Dot Museum in Singapore. Because there is no engine sitting directly at the center of the cycle, the machine looks suitably futuristic and its instant torque would surely make it an exhilarating bike to ride.

Using lithium ion batteries and an rear-mounted electric motor, the concept bike is relatively quick and can reportedly hit speeds around 125 miles per hour. While that may not be all that fast in superbike terms, it's pretty darn good for an electric two-wheeler. This machine exists beyond just the paper realm, as Vectrix has at least one of the machines making the motorcycle show rounds as we speak.


[Source: ROBRADY]

There's an old adage in motorcycling, applying to dirtbikes mostly, that if a manufacturer doesn't have many updates to make for a specific model year, there's always Bold New Graphics. Such is the case with the 2009 edition of the Vectrix maxiscooter, which also gets a new name for the new model year. Now known as the Vx-1, the electric scooter doesn't see any real changes to its drivetrain, but that's fine by us. After all, the battery-powered two-wheeler was already a darn good performer, sporting a top speed of 62 miles per hour and downright sporty acceleration of 0-50mph in just under 7 seconds.

A line of accessories is also new for 2009. Such conveniences as a lower seat option for those who are a bit shorter than average and a new wide windscreen - perfect for keeping those cold winter blasts off as you commute on your electric machine all year round.

But wait, there's more! Vectrix reports that it's working on two new models that should be ready for sale sometime in 2009 and will debut on December 5 at the International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach. One is the Vx-1e, which sports a lower top speed, slower acceleration and, of course, a lower price to go along with it. The other model is known as the Vx-3 and is destined for urban riding only and is said to be comparable with a typical 50cc gas-powered scooter. That's something to look forward to.

[Source: Vectrix]

There's an interesting line in a recent TIME magazine piece about a guy who's enjoying his new Vectrix scooter. Here it is:

Once you start looking, you find plugs everywhere," says [James] Morrison, who charges his two-wheeler at parking garages, outside Starbucks stores and even in gas-station parking lots.

Even though utilities are doing a lot of work on the smart grid, it'll take years, and this presents quite a window for people with plug in vehicles. If you've got the money for an EV today, you can afford the juice to move it, but that line made me think of a few questions for our readers:

Will property owners need to start locking up their plugs to stop EV leeches? Do you think businesses might start advertising "free electricity while you shop" offers to EV drivers? Would you plug your EV into any outlet you could find, just to drive for free or would you talk to the shop owner about paying a few bucks to plug in for an hour or three?

[Source: TIME]

Quaker Steak and Lube is a motor-themed restaurant chain, kind of like a NASCAR-loving version of Applebees. The first restaurant in the now-regional chain was started with the gas crisis of the 1970s in mind as a way "to preserve the culture of those old gas stations and high-powered muscle cars." So, imagine AutoblogGreen reader Alric's surprise when he went to the Lube in Middleton, Wisconsin and saw a Vectrix scooter hanging from the ceiling. Yup, the real thing, just hanging there. He wrote in to say that the bike was being advertised as available at a local motorcycle shop for $9,000 and he's posted some pictures for us:


Our thanks to Alric.

Here in Austin, Texas, one of the big sellers of electric-powered two-wheeled vehicles is Alien Scooters. On the floor of the Austin Alt Car Expo, the shop has a large display area full of two-wheeled EVs. Oh, and inflatable aliens.

We've covered a lot of these vehicles in the past (I smiled when I saw the financing available tag hanging from a Vectrix scooter), but I thought you'd like to look at these bikes and scooters nonetheless. I sure wish I had a some extra money right now to get one or two of these. Not only are they fashionable, but bikes are just so hyper-efficient that adding a bit of battery-power to the frame is just a good idea. Are EV bikes, as the company's slogan indicates, "Out of this world transportation" or just good stuff for us earthlings?

Sure, Formula 1 is trying to introduce fuel-savings technologies in the coming years, starting with the KERS system that is currently being tested. Will we ever see the day when electric F1 cars are whizzing past gawking spectators across the world with the top drivers at the helm? Could be, but it's not in the directly foreseeable future. Current F1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella is now a certified "Ambassador of the Electric." We have visions of the Force, India driver getting down on one knee and being awarded his new title, like a Knight. Probably didn't go down like that, but it's the picture in our heads anyway. The Force India team apparently has two Vectrix electric scooters that it uses when the insane speed of its F1 cars isn't required. Now, Fisichella has one of his own, as the company has given him one as part of his new role.

It seems that racing drivers have taken a liking to the electric Vectrix scooter. According to the manufacturer, Eddie Jordan, Damon Hill and Adrian Sutil all ride their own, though we're not sure that these racers have actually been Knighted proclaimed "Official Electric Ambassadors."

[Source: Vectrix]

It seems the sales of the Vectrix electric maxi-scooter have finally caught on fire. At the beginning of the year we were somewhat saddened to report that they had only sold a disappointing 123 of their innovative machines. Since then, the price has been chopped from just under $12,000 to a much more reasonable $8,795 for the 2007 model, and $9,395 for the slightly improved 2008 version. The skyrocketing price of gas may be playing a role as well, as people have been buying up scooters with a vengeance this year. The simplicity and ease of use that a Vectrix offers seems to be attractive to many newcomers to the scooter market. Of course, the company has also pursued a relentless marketing campaign to coincide with a strong effort to grow its distribution chain.

The result? Over 1,000 bikes sold and an exponential increase in dealerships. Since late spring they have gone from five retailers to 50 in the United States and are now listing another 75 dealers in other countries. They have a strong presence in Europe and can be found as far away as South Africa. They are even available in Andorra, where wookies come from wherever that is. With over 1,000 bikes shipped to date, the company expects the strong demand to continue and as the company grows they hope to offer more models. Though the company teased us with a superbike concept at the Milan motor show, they hope to launch a more modest $5,000 bike in 2009 featuring a "next-gen" NiMH battery that should boost the range by ten miles for a total of 70. We think moves like that could ensure "scootin' sales" for years to come.



[Source: Boston.com / Business First