Smart Scooter Gets by With a Little Help From its Friends

With its easy-to-park cars and high-end, pedal-assist bikes, Mercedes’ Smart brand has spent years positioning itself as the best choice for fashionable, eco-conscious urbanites. Since 2010, the brand has been threatening to add another vehicle to its portfolio of swank city-rides: a plug-in electric scooter.

Now, it seems that Smart will be getting some help in developing its electric Vespa-fighter, courtesy of the electric scooter experts at Vectrix, who have been building plug-in scooters in series production since 2008.

It’s not yet clear if Mercedes will use any carry-over battery technology from its partners at Tesla for the Smart electric scooter – but with Vectrix pushing its own innovative battery tech, you can bet the Smart scooter will be a major player against other 50 cc bikes.

Source: Motorpasion.

Vectrix Japan Presents: Electric Scooters With Li-Ion Batteries

Scooters are a pretty awesome mode of transportation any way you look at it. They’re fuel efficient yet still quick and maneuverable, not too many parts to keep track of and – best of all – they just look fabulous. Electric vehicles are also pretty awesome, what with the zero emissions and general cleanliness of the drive. Put the two together, and there’s potential for some pretty great stuff.

Enter Vectrix Japan, known for its electric scooters. Their flagship model is titled the Vectrix, and it works fairly well. Yet they’re improving it as of March 21st, with two new models powered by lithium ion batteries.

Electric Current For Two Wheels

The Vectrix has about the same amount of power as a 250cc scooter, and requires a motorcycle license (automatic transmission), at least in Japan. The new scooters with lithium ion batteries are the 3.7kWh VX-1 Li and the 5.4 kWh VX-1 Li+.

The earlier scooter, the VX-1, was equipped with a nickel-hydride battery. It’s still available and weighing in at 515 lbs., has a range of somewhere between 35 and 55 miles, depending on how it’s driven. The newer models are substantially improved – the VX-1 Li weighs at a super-light 425 lbs. and has a range of up to 60 miles, whereas the VX-1 Li + weighs in at 460 lbs. and has a range of up to 85 miles.

Both scooters are currently only available in Japan, where they’ll make a great addition to the crowded and somewhat smoggy streets of Tokyo.

Questions or comments? Let us know below.

Source: Gas 2.0

Vectrix Unveils Newest Electric Vehicle, the VX-2, Perfect for Urban Commuters

The Vectrix VX2 Electric Scooter

PRESS RELEASE

VX-2 Joins Rapidly Growing Family of Electric Vehicles From MA-Based Vectrix LLC

NEW BEDFORD, MA--(Marketwire - January 11, 2011) - Vectrix LLC (www.vectrix.com), the world leader in Personal Electric Vehicles, starts off the New Year with the official launch of its clean energy urban commuting model, the VX-2. The all-new Vectrix VX-2 scooter is designed to be the ideal choice for shorter trips -- from across town to across campus. The all electric VX-2 is a smaller and slimmer version of our VX-1 bike and is the perfect machine for lower-speed urban, neighborhood, and small-town trips. The VX-2 is the electric equivalent of a 50cc internal combustion engine scooter.

The Vectrix VX-2 is capable of speeds up to 30 mph and has a range of 40 to 55 miles, depending on factors like terrain, weight, speed, etc. The VX-2 comes standard with the patented Vectrix Multi-Function Throttle that provides regenerative braking and slow-speed reverse. Each VX-2 comes with a 48V/20A battery charger that plugs into a standard 110V/220V outlet and features a charge time of around 3.5 to 5 hours.

The VX-2's lower profile and lighter weight make it a solid choice for riders seeking responsiveness and maneuverability needed for tight urban centers and traffic congestion. The VX-2 offers advanced technology, intuitive controls, and solid, steel-tube chassis construction which makes it just as reliable and exciting as it is affordable.

"We at Vectrix are very excited to kick off 2011 with the launch of our new electric VX-2 urban commuter model. The VX-2 comes from great lineage -- our revolutionary VX-1 electric scooter which debuted in 2007," said Brian Buccella, Vectrix LLC Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "The clean and green VX-2 is perfect for riders of all abilities in urban centers, college campuses, small city commuting, and weekend errands. Its lighter weight and maneuverability make it easy to move in tight spaces. And its zero gas emissions truly show that the Vectrix VX-2 is good clean fun."

The VX-2 is available in: True Blue, Real Red, Mellow Yellow, Clean Green, Bright White, and Slick Black. For more information, please visit www.vectrix.com.

Key Features of the Vectrix Scooter:

• All-electric with zero emissions, no need for oil or gas, and virtually silent operation. Plugs into any standard outlet and charges battery between 3.5 - 5 hours.

• Zero carbon emissions during operation

• Low Maintenance -- with no oil, no filters, and no clutch, your maintenance requirements are minimal.

• Range of 40-55 miles (depending on speed, rider weight, and driving habits)

• Top speed of 30 mph

• Acceleration 0-30 mph in 6 seconds

• Patented Multi-Function Throttle provides regenerative braking and a slow-speed reverse for greater maneuverability and easy parking

• Low noise for reduced sound pollution

• The battery pack has an estimated lifespan of 3 years.

About Vectrix LLC:
Vectrix LLC (www.vectrix.com) was formed to develop and commercialize zero emission vehicle platform technologies. The single focus of Vectrix has been to provide clean, efficient, reliable, and affordable urban transportation. Vectrix zero emission vehicles are targeted to both consumers and government fleets. Vectrix LLC has headquarters in New Bedford, MA which include engineering, test facilities, sales offices and a multiproduct vehicle assembly line.