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Vectrix

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Vectrix electric scooter
ManufacturerVectrix
ClassElectric scooter
EngineBrushless DC motor
Top speed109 km/h (68 mph)
Power20.2 kW (27.1 hp) peak; 7 kW (9.4 hp) continuous
Torque65 N⋅m (48 lb⋅ft)
TransmissionRear wheel planetary gear drive
BrakesFront and rear Brembo disc
TiresFront: 120/70 14
Rear: 140/60 13
Wheelbase1,525 mm (60.0 in)
Seat height770 mm (30 in)
Weight210 kg (460 lb) (dry)
Fuel capacity3.7 kWh NiMH

Vectrix is an electric vehicle company based in Middletown, Rhode Island, United States, with research and development facilities in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Its vehicles are assembled in Wrocław, Poland.[1]

Scooters

The Vectrix is a maxi-size scooter, and is the first commercially available high performance electric scooter.[2] It is capable of over 60 mph (97 km/h) and 50 mph (80 km/h) is reached in a little under 7 seconds, with maximum torque available from 0 rpm, a characteristic of electric motors. It has under 250 parts, compared with 2,500 for a conventionally powered scooter, and has a range of up to 65 miles (105 km) at 25 mph (40 km/h).

In the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands and Slovenia, the Vectrix is exempt from paying road tax.[3]

The Vectrix scooter uses NiMH batteries with a manufacturer-claimed life of 10 years and 1,500 recharges.[4] The 125 volt battery pack has a capacity of 3.7 kW·h and can be recharged to 80% in two hours from a standard domestic power socket. The battery can also be partially recharged through regenerative braking.[5] Replacement cost of the battery is estimated to be around $3,000, almost one third of the cost of the bike.

Vectrix announced that it was planning and testing Lithium Ion battery packs based on lithium iron phosphate battery technology, in an agreement with GP Batteries International Limited of Hong Kong.[6]

In Fall of 2008. Vectrix announced that it would be expanding its product line with two lower-priced bikes: The VX-1E would arrive March 2009 and the VX-2 would arrive in June 2009. Both bikes were shown at NY International Motorcycle Show in Jan 2009 and also at Birmingham Motor Show, but never entered production due to the company ceasing trading.

Specifications

Vectrix
Maximum Speed 68 mph (109 km/h) (with latest firmware)
Acceleration (0-50 mph) 6.8 seconds
Acceleration (0-31 mph) 3.6 seconds
Range* 68 miles (109 km)
* Range is based on a constant speed of 25 mph (40 km/h) and does not reflect real world riding.

Concept vehicles

The electric superbike on display at the EICMA 2007 in Milan

Vectrix showed a 125 mph (201 km/h) superbike concept vehicle at the 2007 Milan motorcycle show, to be produced if 500 deposits were received.[7] In 2008, Vectrix announced a 3-wheeled version of the Vectrix Maxi scooter.[8]

Testing by prospective users

The New York City Police Department announced in December 2007 that it will be testing vehicles from Vectrix with the goal of replacing its current gasoline-powered scooters.[9][10]

The Government of Canada purchased in August 2008 a vehicle from Vectrix with the goal of testing and evaluating a fully electric compliant open motorcycle's energy consumption, range, and additional road testing parameters. This environmental initiative is part of Transport Canada’s ecoTECHNOLOGY for Vehicles (eTV) program.[11][12]

Bankruptcy

In July 2009 Vectrix Corporation laid off all but essential staff, this followed several months of announcements of financial problems.[13][14] Analysis of corporate financial results[by whom?] showed the company had huge expenses for each bike sold which were larger than the income earned.[citation needed] On September 28, 2009 the company announced chapter 11 a bankruptcy filing in Delaware and that likelihood of a New Vectrix will buy the assets of Vectrix to recapitalize a new company. In late 2009 its assets were sold to Gold Peak battery group allowing the company to relaunch.[15]

New Vectrix

For much of 2010 the company rehired old and new staff and began supporting old owners with issues again. As 2011 rolled around Vectrix introduced the VX-2 and the VX-1 Li/Li+ into the product line showing at some shows and updated on their website.[16] The VX-1 Li is the same as the original bike but using lithium batteries of 30-amp hour capacity, for similar range and performance in a lighter bike. The Li+ has a 42-amp hour capacity giving greater range. The VX-2 is designed as a smaller, lighter and less expensive version of the original bike for those who don't need freeway speeds or the weight of the original. Though it has similar range to the original its top speed is less than half, but so is the price.

References

  1. ^ "Company Background". Vectrix Corp. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  2. ^ Susie Mesure (1 August 2006). "Vectrix electric scooter: Power to the planet". London: The Independent. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  3. ^ "UK Road Tax Exemptions". UK government.
  4. ^ "Rated—Vectrix Electric Scooter". Greener Machine. June 1, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  5. ^ "New Vectrix could break new ground for commuters". The Times. London. 4 May 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
  6. ^ "REG-Vectrix Corporation Interim Results - Part 1". June 30, 2008.
  7. ^ Angus Farquhar (November 7, 2007). "Milan show: Vectrix 125mph electric superbike concept". Motorcycle News. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  8. ^ "Vectrix Electric 3-Wheeler". How Stuff Works. 23 July 2008.
  9. ^ "NYPD to road test electric scooters". Associated Press. December 26, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-12-28. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  10. ^ Tom Hays (December 20, 2007). "NYPD tests Vectrix electric scooters". BusinessWeek. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  11. ^ http://www.tc.gc.ca/eTV
  12. ^ Vectrix Test Results, October 2008
  13. ^ Emery, C. Eugene, Jr. "Vectrix lays off workers, faces bankruptcy". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 2010-07-02. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |unused_data= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ Associated Press (16 July 2009). "RI electric scooter maker lays off workers". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
  15. ^ Garthwaite, Josie. "They're Baaaaack: Vectrix Readies for Another Go at Electric Scooters". GigaOM. Retrieved 2011-06-22. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |unused_data= ignored (help)
  16. ^ "Vectrix Wins "European e-Scooter of the Year" Awards for Both the VX-1 Li/Li+ and VX-2", Press release, Vectrix, May 6, 2011, retrieved 2011-08-02
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