Vectrix electric scooter

By Rob van Driesum

Some will argue that pedal power does the job just fine and keeps you fit in the process, but bicycles aren't for everybody. Fuel-cell technology is not yet viable, while hybrid vehicles are complicated stop-gaps with questionable long-term benefits.

Fully electric vehicles aren't new, but battery capacity and weight have been limiting factors especially in two-wheelers. New battery technology is beginning to change the equation, however, as shown by the electric scooter released by the American Vectrix Corporation.

Designed by German engineers and assembled in Poland with reputable Italian running gear (tyres, brakes, front forks), the Vectrix is the first electric two-wheeler we've come across that's seriously worth considering as a daily commuter - or as a secondary vehicle for the RVer who can overcome a few of the drawbacks we'll discuss in a moment.

HOW DOES IT GO?
The brushless DC motor, attached to the rear wheel through a planetary gear drive, puts out a claimed 21kW peak (3.8kW continuous) with 65Nm of torque (23Nm continuous). That's in the realm of the most powerful petrol scooters, though overall performance feels more like that of a 250cc.

Electric motors produce maximum torque from zero revs, but in this case there's a fair bit of weight to motivate - 210kg - so it's not as quick off the lights as you'd expect. When the scooter reaches 30-40km/h, however, it hits its straps with an impressive, linear progression all the way to a governed top speed of 100km/h. It's eerily smooth too, and almost silent with a tram-like whine.

Much of the weight is due to the 90kg NiMH twin battery pack, which you can charge at will like a mobile phone. It has a claimed life of 10 years or 80,000km before it needs $2000-worth of reconditioning.

Engine braking is provided courtesy of regenerative braking - twist the throttle past the ‘closed' position and the motor's polarity is reversed, feeding charge back into the batteries. The manufacturer claims that this recovers up to 10 per cent of spent charge, though that's probably over-optimistic. What it clearly does, however, is provide nicely controllable engine braking that allows you to ignore the normal brakes much of the time. It also works as a reverse gear - useful while maneuvering. When I hopped back onto my motorcycle after a week on the Vectrix, I missed it.

PLUG AND PLAY
The charge cable in the generous storage compartment under the passenger seat plugs into any normal 240V power point, and about two hours are needed before the batteries are 80 per cent charged, which is usually enough. A full charge takes up to four hours.

The range is 60-70km depending on riding style and speed, which is fine for limited commuting and not much else. That's a shame because it's a very comfortable scooter, also (or especially) two-up with its generous passenger seat and large load capacity, and it would make a great little tourer for weekend trips down to the beach or up in the hills.

Finding friendly power points away from base is not easy, as I found out. The City of London has over 100 charge points (with more to come) for electric wheelchairs and the like that the Vectrix can plug into, but we're not as advanced yet in Australia. Vectrixes don't pay the London congestion charge either and are exempt from the UK road tax.

That's because of its clear environmental benefits. With hydro power, as in Tas, the scoot's greenhouse gas impact is zero; with highly polluting brown coal power (Vic, Qld), it's about half that of a 250cc scooter if we extrapolate the manufacturer's claims.

Greenhouse considerations aside, the electricity consumed at Melbourne prices works out to about 1c/km, which compares to about 13c/km for a 250cc scooter at current fuel prices. The Vectrix retails for $13,950 and you can buy a decent 250cc for $8000, so if you take into account $2000 for battery reconditioning after 80,000km, the Vectrix needs to do about 60,000km before you're financially ahead (or maybe 55,000km, as you save a bit on regular servicing). It comes with a generous two-year warranty.

RV RUNABOUT
The Vectrix would make a great runabout for the travelling RVer - set yourself up in the caravan park and ride to the shops or the nearby sights. Simply charge it from your site's power point and never annoy the neighbours with a noisy engine or smelly exhaust. For the ultimate in cool, charge it from the RV's solar setup (6.5A at 240V required, and you could charge in dribs and drabs).

There are two provisos, however. One is not to charge it overnight, because the process involves a fan that cools the batteries and emits an annoying whine - not good when people are trying to sleep. (The fan also interfered with my ABC TV reception at home, though other channels were unaffected.)

The second proviso is that you need to work out how to transport the thing because it's quite large - the trade term is maxi-scooter - and it's also one of the heaviest scooters around (although the weight is down low and between the wheels, so it's very manageable). Then again, you wouldn't be the first motorhomer to tow supplementary transport on a trailer.

For more information, or to organise a test ride, contact Vectrix Australia, 164 Rouse Street, Port Melbourne, Vic 3207, (03) 9676 9133, www.vectrix.com.au