When you think scooter, you might think of something a child would ride.
The Vectrix VX-1 maxi scooter, which weighs much more than a typical bike at 515 pounds, is anything but a kid’s toy. It requires a motorcycle license to drive.
It’s also electric, with a 180-pound battery that lets the rider forget about pumping gas. The Vectrix just needs an electrical outlet to get its fuel.
The Obama administration is helping do just that. Earlier this year, President Obama’s stimulus plan proposed tax credits for those who buy plug-in electric vehicles. Depending on the size of the battery, the credit can reach up to $7,500.
Peter Hughes, Vectrix’s chief technology officer, said the scooter was designed to suit the needs of a commuting executive.
The scooter can go about 50 to 60 miles when fully charged and it can reach speeds up to about 60 mph. It’s billed as the only electric scooter on the market that’s highway legal.
“We classify this as a zero emissions vehicle….When you’re riding it and driving it, it is zero (greenhouse gas) emission, ” Hughes said of its environmental impact.
The company has sold almost 2,000 bikes since 2007. Electric scooters aren’t new to the market. Several other companies, such as ZAP and e-max, sell models that aren’t highway legal.
For those wary of changing their ways completely, the Tesla Roadster might offer a solution. This sports car can travel up to 244 miles between charges. But it also costs more than 10 times more than a Vectrix scooter.
While there is still a long way to go before gas stations become extinct, electric vehicle owners are always on the lookout for electrical outlets. And Vectrix owner Shapiro has a few other ideas.
| 
|