One Mans Blog
Specialization is for Insects.
Posted on Mar 02, 2008 - 1:44am by John P. in Environment, Vehicles, Videos
The Vectrix is a brand new battery powered maxi-scooter capable of carrying two adults around town all day in silence without burning a single drop of gasoline.
Here are a few stats:
Here is a short 30 second promo clip designed to whet your appetite:
Here’s the company spin using plenty of “Green” fear, uncertainty and doubt:
Here is a longer promo clip:
Here is a really cool time-lapse video of the complete construction of a Vectrix in their plant in Poland.
If you live in California they’ll bring the vehicle to you and give you a brief introduction to how it works:
This last one is a little hard to hear, but it’s a short interview about the Vectrix at a trade show:
I think this is a really cool concept, and I applaud the effort, but I just can’t believe the weight of this machine. Seriously, it needs to lose 150-200 pounds! If it did, it would likely double the range and probably hit closer to 80-90 mph on the top end I imagine. Then it would be really ready for prime time.
The good news is that you know the next generations are going to make huge leaps and within a few years we’ll be seeing 5 times the performance. Until then, I guess I’d try one of these machines out if they wanted me to review it, but I don’t imagine I’d fork over the money to own one yet. Plus, I have no idea what they actually cost.
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Yeah I definitely can see that this is a step in the right direction. I was just thinking today as I was getting gasoline that things are going to change. I wonder if I will see the end of gasoline usage in my lifetime (I’m in my 20’s).
On another note, I think that something went wrong and your Wordpress install reverted back to the default theme. When this was happening to me before, I would protect myself by making a copy of my theme and naming it “default.” That way, if something ever did happen, then I would likely be safe guarded from anyone really knowing. If you wanted to revert to the default, though, then disregard this!
Derek,
Thanks for the note. I was messing with Handheld style sheets and for a while my blog was switched back to default today. But I’m done screwing with it now and it’s back to normal.
John
Good to know, John. I guess that I just got lucky enough to see what your site looked like in its infancy. I must say that this current layout suits you more.
Is Handheld the name of a Wordpress theme (this one or another one) or is it referencing some mobile-centric type of style sheet?
Here is one I have been following. The Enertia, manufactured in U.S. 12K-15K, rather pricey, but all carbon fiber and composite construction. Using brushless motor and Lithium baterry technology. I view these prototypes as potential for the future. When the price of the technology comes to reasonable affordability, then they might be practical. I have looked into similar projects here in Asia to reduce polution, problem is they are not cost efective yet for developing nations. The initial cost cannot be amortized over a reasonable lifetime of use for commercial applications.
http://www.enertiabike.com/content/view/8/8/
I was really excited back in the day about “IT” or the “Segway” as it’s known today.
In Arizona it’s sunny all the time and a bike or scooter would be an excellent way to get some sun if you’re an officedweller while getting to be outside and commuting when it’s nice out.
But they definitely need to kill some bloat to increase range and speed.
O-58mph in 6.8 seconds means that you we be over taken by an Olympic sprinter!
Joking aside, any green step is a step in the right direction. The Government here in the UK are trying all kinds of things to reduce emissions and transport is a huge issue. That is especially true is you own a 4 x 4 given that there is talk of hitting you hard in the wallet in extra taxes. A bit unfair given that a lot of the modern 4 x 4’s are more friendly than older, smaller vehicles but it is certainly a target.
We are also now up to around £6 ($12) for a gallon of petrol !!!
this is amazing how world is make progress in technology and cutting the operational cost. i would love to ride one and see how it perform the features are attractive.