Here's the rundown: 27hp, 462 lbs, 62mph top speed (governed), $11,000 (plus tax and registration, minus a tax credit in some states), NiMH battery pack. The range is 65 mi under ideal conditions. Expect about 40 mi in real world driving on city streets. It is freeway legal, but range drops drastically at freeway speeds.
Comfort, performance and cargo capacity are comparable to gas powered scooters of the same size (comparison chart below) but with no noise and no exhaust. It kept up easily with city traffic. It's a quality product with running gear sourced from the same manufacturers as what you'd find on a Vespa or Aprilia scooter, and it's on sale now. The demo riders loved it.
Now let's compare to the gas powered competition. Scooters in this size class are licensed as motorcycles and you'll need a motorcycle endorsement to ride on in most states. One comparable model would be a Suzuki Burgman 400.
| Vectrix | Burgman 400 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $11,000 | $5,900 |
| Power | 27 hp | 32 hp |
| Range | 40 mi | 187 mi |
| Fuel Economy | N/A | 52 mpg* |
* There are no official EPA tests for motorcycles. This figure based on real world tests.
Even accounting for the low cost of electricity and no engine maintenance costs, the Vectrix still costs substantially more. At this point, price and range are the only things holding it back. There are no compromises in power, comfort or build quality. You'll pay a little more than a gas scooter, but it's by far the most affordable and practical electric vehicle you can buy.
The show-goers were what you can call motorsports enthusiasts, more sophisticated and cosmopolitan than, say, the NASCAR or gun show crowd, but nevertheless a group diametrically opposed to the environmental crowd. It was brave of Vectrix to show their product to this crowd, and they made a good impression.
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