New BMW Scooters to Debut 2012

According to this article on Motorcycle.com, BMW has greenlighted two new scooters based on the Concept C which was shown at the EICMA show last year. Apparently these are gas-powered, but many folks think that an electric version may still be in the works.

Excited about the BMW concept electric scooter?

It has the stories "center rail" which will also be in the Mini Countryman.
Charming video has me all excited about getting one of these. But will it go over 30 mph?



Blog Entry Soundrack:

More Electric Scooter Buzz

Even the New York Times feels that this is a story! See this NYT article by Phil Patton. As info leaks out about the scooters that Mini and Smart are proposing, one thing makes me pause:
"Smart claims a top speed of 28 miles per hour and a 62-mile range for its Escooter."

If Vectrix could make a scooter that could go a speed that could keep up with realistic traffic speeds, why can't other manufacturers? Cool only gets you so far (and these concepts are freaking cool) but 28mph puts it in the retirement community user's realm.

They must be serious to spend the $$ to get Agyness Deyn to pose!

My Next Mini?

Some of you may already know that I own a Mini Clubman car (39MPG, baby!) so perhaps my next Mini purchase will be this Mini electric scooter. Check out the video for the concept, below



While these electric scooters look pretty awesome, we should be reminded that these are just concepts that will be presented at the Paris Auto Show next month. But wouldn't it be awesome to have a scooter with ipod integration so that you can use your Google Maps?My Mini car has some really cool features, so hopefully this scooter will make it into production without the distinctive features stripped.

Find out more and see an image gallery at the MINI Space.

Vectrix's next step: Resurrection?

Haven't heard a peep from Vectrix as they have been re-organizing. But did happen upon this info at MarketWatch:

Vectrix Gears Up for Relaunch

NEW BEDFORD, MA, Feb 08, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Vectrix Corporation, a newly formed Delaware corporation, and Vectrix International, will relaunch the Vectrix brand and its advanced electric vehicle technology products into the worldwide market on February 12 - 15 at the International Powersports Dealer Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana.
In gearing up for the relaunch, the Vectrix Corporation has opened its new US Head Quarters and development center in New Bedford, Mass. With its patented technologies developed over the last decade, Vectrix will continue to design and develop innovative technology solutions in New Bedford, Mass. with original key members of its product development team. "The core focus of the Vectrix Corporation design team is to remain on the cutting edge of innovative technologies that revolutionize urban transportation," explained Chief Operating Officer Jason Kim.
The International Powersports Dealer Expo will give Vectrix Corporation an opportunity to reassure its loyal customer base that it intends to grow in the market place as one of the leading personal electric vehicle Original Equipment Manufacturers. Vectrix has begun to ship spare parts and finished products to its customers and is excited about the growth potential in the coming months. The Vectrix product lines are an ideal solution for the worldwide urban transportation market's need for clean, efficient and cost effective transportation alternatives. Vectrix will be expanding beyond its traditional markets into other vertical professional markets, while continuing to service its loyal customers through dealer channels.
Key Features of the Vectrix Scooter:

--  Zero carbon emissions during operation
--  Range of 35-55 miles (depending on speed, rider weight, and driving
    habits)
--  Top speed of 68 mph
--  Acceleration 0-50 mph in 6.8 seconds / 0-31 mph in 3.6 seconds
--  As responsive as a 400cc scooter but with a 125cc classification, making
    the bike accessible to anyone with a provisional license who has
    completed CBT training.
--  Patented Multi-Function Throttle provides regenerative braking and a
    slow-speed reverse for greater maneuverability and easy parking
--  The onboard charger recharges the scooter in just over three hours from
    a standard 110/220V (3 pin) power socket.
--  Low noise for reduced sound pollution
--  Estimated battery life of 10 years/50,000 miles

About Vectrix Vectrix (www.vectrix.com) was reformed in 2010 to develop and commercialize zero-emission vehicle platform technologies focused on two and three wheel applications. The single focus of Vectrix has been to provide clean, efficient, reliable and affordable urban transportation. Vectrix has its US headquarters in New Bedford, Mass. which include engineering, test facilities, sales offices and a multiproduct vehicle assembly line.

Olympic Torch Bearer is a Scooterist

According to an article in the Vancouver Sun:

Environmentalist Tzeporah Berman will be celebrating her 41st birthday today by carrying the Olympic Flame...riding a blue electric-powered scooter in Squamish, with the torch attached to the handlebar with a metal clamp for safety.

 It's admirable that someone wants to use a scooter to emphasize environmental alternatives, but I wonder how all those folks who run their part of their route will feel?

 

Photograph by: Ian Smith, PNG

Honda Looking to "Electrify" the Cub Market

Saw this piece on Motorcycle USA which says that Honda is planning to issue an electric Cub.

That would be revolutionary for this 50+ year bike and could make a sizable effect on pollution if it is adopted as well as the combustion version. I'm excited that so many companies are pursuing practical electric vehicles like this. I just hope they include a loud horn!

Also covered in AutoBlogGreen.

Goodbye Vectrix, we hardly knew ye...

When Vectrix first debuted in the US, Scoot! got to test-ride one of the models. Mike picked it up in San Francisco (where he lives) and Josh went up to get it and bring it back so that both he and I could ride it. Unfortunately, because SF is about 45 miles north, the Vectrix wouldn't have been able to make it back on the freeway on one charge. Strike one for the electro-maxi scooter. Sure it was heavy, yes it needed better range, by golly it was expensive. But it was kinda cool and I was very hopeful that they could make a go of it, especially when all of the other electric scooters that we saw maxed out at 28mph and were just cheap Chinese crud.

The Vectrix had some hurdles which it couldn't quite overcome and now DealerNews reports that the company is filing for bankruptcy. In this economy, who isn't feeling a pinch? But Vectrix was price-point challenged with the highest price scooter available (you could buy a Hyundai for less) and it had a product that wasn't essential to the American lifestyle (as is a car). Most Americans see scooters as a second vehicle, for fun jaunts. $10K is a little dear for such a non-essential item, especially when it was limited in rage. If you run out of gas in a combustion engine, you just gas-n-go, but the Vectrix needed about 2 hours of charging to gain any useful range.

Another thing that Vectrix lacked was a large base of early adopters. For some technology items, a loyal group of buyers comes forth and will pay the high price to get the newest technology first. Remember $600 iPhones? But wealthy environmentalists like Leonardo DiCaprio were few and far in between. Many folks probably felt like I did: it was a cool idea, but I would rather wait for a less expensive version with greater range. Unfortunately, Vectrix needed to sell lots more of those initial versions to keep the company going, through revenue and continued investment.

I was hopeful, but when the entire world seems to be in a economic meltdown, there just isn't any room or time to invest in dreams. It's really to bad.

Vespa Hybrid Reaching Fruition

Earlier this week, Piaggio announced their Hybrid MP3 which uses dual electric and combustion power plants:

The Piaggio MP3 Hybrid incorporates a “parallel” hybrid drive in which a combustion engine and an electric motor are mechanically and electronically linked and simultaneously supply power to the wheel

The MP3 Hybrid uses lithium ion batteries, and is said to be "the first vehicle in the world to combine plug-in charging from the mains with lithium ion batteries." It is supposed to take 3 hours to fully charge the batteries, wit 85% achieved at 2 hours.

The press release compares the CO2 emissions + fuel consumption among other forms of transport:

Small gas engine car: 180 g/km CO2; 13.2 km/l fuel
Large gas engine car: 270 g/km CO2; 6.9 km/l fuel
Small diesel engine car: 150 g/km CO2; 17.7 kn/l fuel
Mid-size gas engine scooter: 90 g/km CO2; 26.0 km/l fuel
MP3 Hybrid: 0 g/km CO2 (emissions in electric mode) 40 g/km CO2 (combined mode); 60 km/l fuel

Some specs:
124cc 4-stroke gas engine
Hybrid powertrain power: 11 kW (15 CV) at 8,500 rpm
Hybrid powertrain torque: 16 Nm at 3K rpm
Electric motor: Synchronous brushless permanent magnet motor
Electric motor power: 2.6 kW (3.5 CV)
Electric motor torque: 15 Nm
Cooling: Air
Battery charge modes: During braking and deceleration on the move, and from the mains (battery charger integrated in on-board electronics)


The bike should be available for US buyers in early 2010 andd could cost about $10K.
Images courtesy of Piaggio.

Blog entry soundtrack: "I Wanna Be Adored" by Stone Roses

Piaggio Confirms Plug-In Hybrid for 2010

The FOX Car Report snagged an interview with Paolo Timoni where he confirmed that Piaggio plans to next year sell a plug-in hybrid based on the MP3.

According to Piaggio, the three-wheel scooter will travel several miles on battery power alone, and get up to 141 miles per gallon overall, which would make it one of the most fuel efficient vehicles ever made. Timoni misspoke during the interview when he said it would go 40 miles on battery alone, a Piaggio spokesperson saying that final specifications won't be known until the scooter is officially homologated for sale. Previous statements from the company regarding the European version have pointed toward an all-ele[c]tric range of about 12 miles.

The parallel hybrid design combines a 125cc engine and an electric motor in a similar way to the powertrain in the Toyota Prius, and should be capable of accelerating the scooter from 0-60 mph in about 5 seconds. It can be charged from a standard 110 volt electrical outlet, and uses a combination of regenerative braking and several adjustable hybrid modes to charge the battery on the move, balancing performance and efficiency to the tastes of the rider.

Watch the video interview and imagine what Timoni is thinking about fielding all of these rudimentary questions. It's as if scooters were entirely new and not sold int his country for 50+ years... ;-)

2009 Vectrix Announced

Vectrix has made some changes to its electric scooters for the '09 model year. The Vx-1 will be available in 4 color combos: white/burgundy red, white/metallic silver, white/sapphire blue and white/acid green. It also gets some new accessories including a lower seat for those who have shorter legs, new windscreen options and a redesigned center stand. The 2009 Vx-1 will be available in dealerships by January 2009 with an MSRP of $10,495.

Further more, the company plans two additional models:

Vectrix plans to introduce two additional models in Spring/Summer 2009, the Vx-1e and Vx-2. The Vx-1e uses the same platform and drive train as the Vx-1, but features a lower price point, a more urban commuter driver profile with slightly less acceleration and top speed. The Vx-2 will be a smaller and more compact electric equivalent of a 50cc internal combustion engine (ICE) bike and use both U.S. and European designs. The Company expects to add additional power profiles to this product up to the electric equivalent of a 150cc ICE motorbike.

It looks very police-like to me, but I applaud them for trying something new with the bike. I'm anxious to see the new models.

Blog entry soundtrack: The new album by Point Juncture, WA.

Vectrix Reports Triple Digit Growth

According to a newsrelease that went out today, Vectrix is starting to catch on with more than just Leonardo DiCaprio:

Middletown, RI-based Vectrix Corporation just released its first year results with triple-digit growth. It has sold more than 1,000 of its two-wheel vehicles. It’s expanding its product line in 2009 and has the largest dealer network in the U.S. of any electric vehicle maker.

**The market is ready for electric vehicles, as most of Vectrix’s growth occurred in the second half of its financial year – April 1-September 30, 2009 – growth of 380% over the first half of the year.

**Vectrix has 160 dealer points worldwide, about half in the U.S., growing from just a handful earlier in the year.

**Vectrix is the first highway legal all-electric two-wheel vehicle. It travels 62 MPH, 0-50 in 6.8 seconds and is large enough to carry two people comfortably. It was designed for urban commuting and sales success shows people want them – it gets the equivalent of 357 MPG.

**High gas prices, eco consciousness and rise in the two-wheel industry (66% increase in scooter sales) have paved the road for Vectrix’s success.

Americans are ready for more fuel-efficient ways to get around. So I think that even an expensive scooter like the Vectrix will have its buyers. Eventually the price will come down and this type of scooter will be more widely available. An electric scooter could have 100% clean energy if its power were derived by wind energy, for example.

Vectrix in Sacramento, CA

The city of Sacramento is trying out Vectrix scooters for their Parking and Police departments. The announcement was made this week that four bikes would go through a 3-month trial lease where the city pays $1 per bike and has the option to buy after the period. Vectrix did something similar with the NYPD. I'm not sure if the trial period is over for that city, and if they will buy the scooters afterwards.

I test rode the Vectrix, and think it is a great vehicle for police. It is quiet, so you can sneak up on evildoers, and when they stop for coffee, they can plug it in for a recharge. It is also an unexpected vehicle. Everyone knows the silhouette of a police care and always behaves when they are a round, so the police can probably catch more people in the act (of whatever it is that people do). Finally, the bike is more versatile and nimble than a car or one of those big Harleys.

Hopefully the cities will go forward with the scooters and not just use them for some short-term PR.

Vectrix Superbike? 125mph!

I'm not sure how they are doing it, but Vectrix unveiled an electric "superbike" in Milan this month. While the bike won't be racing any modern four-strokes on the track, it does exceed the expectations of electric vehicles by leaps. Checkout the report by Gizmag who said that Vectrix's three-wheel scooter went almost unnoticed when placed next to the superbike.

Toys'R'Us Picks Scooter As Top Toy

Toys'R'Us has come out with their Hot List of toys for the holiday season. The complete list has 36 products, but they also have a "Fabulous 15" which is their most recommended toys. The Daisy Pocket Mod kid scooter from Razor made that list. According to the press release description:

"Pretty in pink, this fashionably fun Razor Pocket Mod is sure to be the talk of the town. This Toys"R"Us exclusive will get kids in gear with the latest and greatest in scooter technology. The trendy "Daisy" model boasts pink and pearl details, 12" tires and over 10 miles of smooth cruising capability at speeds up to 15 mph on a single charge. Riders can even store their gear in a special compartment under the seat. 2 rechargeable "12V Lead Acid" batteries required (included). Ages 12 and up."

While I wonder about letting a kid on a battery-powered vehicle that can go up to 15mph, I am still pleased to see that scooter toys are still being made for the kids. I would have relentlessly bugged by parents about this had it been available when I was a youngster.

While Razor has been producing these type of scooters for a couple of years, but this specific model is a TRU exclusive. The list is just a marketing ploy to generate interest in items you can only get at TRU. This model does sell on the Toys 'R'Us website for $199 while the original Razor scooter sells for $229.

Vectrix Not Meeting Sales Goals?

According to a small bit of news by Thompson Financial Services carried on Forbes.com Vectrix sales aren't meeting forecasted expectations. The article cites "quality issues in MAXI scooter production ramp-up and reworking of previously shipped bikes."

Since I haven't gotten the chance to ride a Vectrix, yet...anyone out there have one and want to report any issues with the bikes? We're getting a loaner, soon, and I'm eager to give it a thorough examination. I'd love to see the bike live up to the hype.

Vectrix Electric Scooter Arrives in US

At Scoot!, we have been talking about the Vectrix electric scooter for a couple of years. It's great to finally see it come to fruition with its release this week.

For those who ride scooters for their environmental benefits and low operating costs, the Vectrix is right up their alley. Its NiMH battery pack is said to last up to 10 years with an annual mileage of 5,000. It also has an on board charger that can plug into standard 110/220V outlets and charge in two hours. The bike retails for $11,000 which means the it will take quite some time to offset the price of gas. But, with it's peppy acceleration (0-50 in 6.8 seconds) and a range of 40-60 miles per charge it may prove to be fun enough to put way more than the estimated 5K on it each year.

Scoot! co-publisher Mike Zorn got a chance to ride a Vectrix in Italy at the Milan show and was impressed. We look forward to giving it a thorough review in an upcoming issue.

Upcoming Vectrix events and appearances include:
July 28-29: Concours d’Elegance, Newport Mansions in Newport, R.I.
August 9: Vectrix Test Ride Event with British Motor Car Distributors LTD (BMC) in San Francisco.
August 11-12: Vectrix Test Ride Event with The Green Car Company in Seattle.
August 18: Vectrix Store Grand Opening in Newport, R.I.
August 25: 35th Annual Electric Car Rally & Show in Palo Alto, Calif.
September 28-29: AltWheels Alternative Transportation & Energy Festival in Boston

Rock Your Scooter Trips

When I saw Lifepop's cool audio accessory bags for iPod and other MP3 players the first thing I thought was, "Cool! Perfect for scooter picnics and events!" The next thing I thought was, "How do I get one?" That being said I think these bags would be great for weekend scooter jaunts when you want some tunes at your destination, but you don't have a built-in stereo. They have several models which are both baggage and stereos at the same time.

The Groovemaster ($75)is a messenger bag with speakers and an MP3 player interface. It runs on 4 AA batteries. The Rocksteady Gym Bag ($130) is a bit steeper but a funky retro Adidas cool and comes in some flashy colors, but the black is my favorite.


The ChillOut ($50)is a combo cooler/AM&FM radio with aux hookups. This would be perfect for strapping to a rear rack/carrier and taking to the beach or park.

The auxiliary jacks for these bags work with iPods, Zunes and even PSP systems. So go forth and rock your scoot!

Is it a scooter?

This week Californian company RideVehicles demonstrated their zero-emission personal transportation vehicles to a delegation of Canadian business leaders at an event geared at furthering trade with Canada. Above, Governor Schwarzenegger checks out one of the models.

The Ride vehicles are three-wheeled electric vehicles that are positioned for business use. The Blue-Ride is geared towards police and security use, while the Mail-Ride is for postal employees, the Base-Ride is for military bases and he Work-Ride is for private business use. All models are made to help individuals easily cover large areas which is definitely a concern for mail carriers and foot patrol police. You've probably heard of how some large factories use bicycles for workers to get quickly from one area to another. Some would argue that the bicycle is the better choice or health reasons, but there are probably several instances where this electric vehicle has some advantages over the bike.

But, is it a scooter? In the popular vernacular it probably is, although Ride may choose to avoid that term. As far as Scoot! is concerned, it is in the realm of the Segway (to which it is compared) and the mobility scooter: similar but not enough to really cover it. Although it is an interesting development for alternative transportation.
You can find out more about these vehicles at the RideVehicles website.

Vectrix Scooter Looking for Financing

The manufacturer of the first electric maxi-scooter is looking to expand its capabilities by examining new financial options. According to the UK's Telegraph newspaper, "Vectrix, founded by inventor Andrew MacGowan, has appointed the investment bank to look at the best option for taking the business forward financially." Vectrix scooters are not yet available in the US, but are available in some European countries. For more information on the development of the Vectrix, check out their website.