Austinist: Electric Scooters Coming to the States ... Eventually

andy

Sat, 19 May 2007 07:17:56 -0600

Loud pipes..? I take a big monkey wrench and bend that pipe shut Ever heard of a horn ? I hope to god gas goes to $10 a gallon

M1EK

Thu, 17 May 2007 14:04:43 -0600

Patrick, even the dirtiest coal plant is still cleaner per watt than the equivalent amount of energy from a gasoline engine in a reasonably clean car. Economies of scale.

M1EK

Thu, 17 May 2007 14:03:30 -0600

I'd love to get one of these if my company ends up getting an office here (and I have to go in, as appears likely in the long-term), BUT I have my doubts as to the long-term battery life. Remember, the way Toyota could ensure long battery life on their hybrid battery was to tightly restrict the charge band to something like 30-70%. This scooter, and others like it, are likely to allow full charge and full drain in order to have a decent range, which would make me suspect battery life/performance would be more like a cell phone or laptop (i.e. dead in 3 years, like the FUD people spread about hybrid cars).

Patrick C.

Thu, 17 May 2007 13:35:51 -0600

I really hate to be "that guy", but there is no way I'm giving up my Harley for one of these things. Maintenance and oil changes (wrenching) are all part of owning a motorcycle. I understand that, but for the most part I don't think electric scooters are really intended to compete with motorcycles, so I don't suspect you're (necessarily) the intended audience. One doesn't buy a scooter for a motorcycle experience, they buy a scooter for utility. Although, as cool as electric vehicles are, I'm pretty weary of how good for the environment or whatever they really are. I mean, that power has to come from somewhere, and if you're putting additional drain on a power source that more then likely is derived from either gas or coal in the first place... does that really help? I honestly don't know, but it's something that troubles me.

Awar

Thu, 17 May 2007 13:12:28 -0600

I had an electric scooter and it was okay. I live about 500 yards from my office but any farther than that and I would look for an alternative. I would take it down the bike paths because I was scared of regular traffic routes. My alternative is a Ducati.

SINTAX

Thu, 17 May 2007 13:01:12 -0600

I really hate to be "that guy", but there is no way I'm giving up my Harley for one of these things. Maintenance and oil changes (wrenching) are all part of owning a motorcycle. And I wouldn't give up my loud pipes for anything. The last thing a motorcycle rider wants is a bike so whisper quiet that the driver in the car next to them, undoubtedly talking on their cell phone, doesn't realize they are in the lane next to them.

SINTAX

Thu, 17 May 2007 12:59:57 -0600

testing

Thu, 17 May 2007 12:54:46 -0600

why kaint i comment

k8

Thu, 17 May 2007 11:36:09 -0600

Vectrix said during their presentation at the conference on Tuesday that the zero-emission motorcycle will be on display at Alien Scooters on S.Lamar if anyone wants to check it out. Plug-in vehicles are hot!