Scooter Mileage Picks Up With Latest Gas And Electric Scooters

Electric Scooters
We've been writing about all kinds of scooters for years, but because of high oil prices, they're now seeing a renaissance of sorts. With 30% of Americans saying they would consider riding a scooter--even some people we wouldn't expect to--and sales of scooters up by 200% (and that was as of two years ago), now seems like a perfect time to revisit some of our past scooter coverage and bring it all together. Following are our favorite electric scooters, including production models and concepts:

Vectrix Electric Scooter

First, an electric scooter that leaves a lot of other forms of transportation in the dust: the Vectrix Electric Scooter. Powered by a 125-volt Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery pack that you can recharge in a couple of hours, it can accelerate from zero to 50 mph (80 kph) in 6.8 seconds, with a max speed of 60 mph (100 kph) and a range of about 68 miles (110 km) at an average of 25 mph (40 kph). The 2008 North American MSRP for a Vectrix Electric Scooter is $9,395.

You can see the Vectrix in action - filmed from low angles with rhythmic music - in this promo video:

More on the Vectrix Electric Scooter
Vectrix Electric Scooter Launching in November 2006
The Vectrix Super Fast Electric Scooter
Vectrix Electic Scooter Test Drive: It Really Works!
The First Vectrix Electric Scooter Delivery
UK Police Test Vectrix Electric Scooter

Honda's Electric Moped Prototype

In 2005, we covered Honda's cute electric scooter, but sadly it doesn't seem like it is in production yet. (Honda, you reading this? Come on!) What made it interesting was its small size and weight, allowing for maximum urban mobility. It has a lever-based throttle system which is easier for novice riders, and Honda claims it has similar acceleration to an equivalent gas-powered scooter.

More on Honda's Electric Scooter Prototype
Press Release from 2004: Honda Announces Electric Moped Prototype

The Rider: An Electric Commuter Trike

The Rider is another concept/prototype, this time even more experimental than Honda's electric moped. It was designed by Elisha Wetherhorn as a complement to trains and buses. It's a three-wheeled electric commuter scooter that you can fold and carry with you. It tilts a bit when turning corners (making it more fun), and it can run for 4 hours at 15 kph (9.5 mph) on its 24 volt battery.

E-Max Electric Scooter from Germany

The E-Max is an electric scooter from Germany, and it is sold in Western Europe (and apparently coming to the US). There are many different models (see the E-Max product page), from the bargain model with a range of 45-60 km (30-37 miles) to the most expensive model with a range of 130-150 km (80-93 miles). The electric motor is located in the rear wheel, and the battery will recharge to 80% in 1.5 hours.

IKOO Electric Scooter

The diminutive IKOO electric scooter will please fans of elegant design. The frame is made from ultra rigid T304 surgical stainless steel alloy, and it has tail lights, directional-brakes lights, and optional headlights and rear view mirrors can be added to the package. Don't expect highway speeds, though: The 600-watt electric motor can bring the IKOO to a maximum speed of 18 mph or 25 kph. Range: 15-18 miles or 25-30 km. Price: $995, optional accessories $210 extra.

More on IKOO Electric Scooter
Official IKOO Website
IKOO Comtemporary Electric Scooter

Electric Vehicle Technology's Z-20 Electric Scooter

The Z-20 electric scooter by Electric Vehicle Technology America won't stand out in a crowd--until you drive away and there's no annoying gas engine noise, that is. With a max speed of 45 mph (72 kph) and a range of 30-45 miles (48-72 km), it can take you around town without problem. It is powered by a 2500-watt 60-volt brushless hub motor. Price: $2,499

More on EVT Z-20a Electric Scooter
EVT America Z20

Zapino Electric Scooter from ZAP!

Finally, we have the Zapino electric scooter by ZAP!. The manufacturer claims that it is the most powerful electric scooter in its class (note that it's not in the same class as the Vectrix, mentioned above). Its 3000-watt "Super efficient" brushless hub motor can bring it to about 30 mph (50 kph), and it has a range of 30 miles (50 km) on the default battery or 65 miles (105 km) on the optional lithium-ion battery. Price: $3495.

More on Zapino Electric Scooter
Zapino Electric Scooter Product Page

Comments

[lisakaz2]

01:29 PM on 07/08/2008

Personally­, I'd want a golf cart or something like that.

[leduck]

01:03 PM on 07/08/2008

this one is hilarious too

looks like we're trading places with the chinese and indians
they now drive cars
and being forced to switch to scooters mopeds and bicycles

LOLROL

[Ariadne]

09:50 AM on 07/08/2008

Do the electric ones make any noise? After a near miss accident on a highway on our BMW Cruiser I am now scared of all the drivers who seem to act like motorcycle­s are invisible. Some guy just changed lanes into the space we were already occupying. It's terrifying to look down at your knee and see someone's left front headlight right there. I haven't been on it since. A silent scooter would be even more ignorable by motorists.

[23000Days]

04:43 PM on 07/08/2008

You ARE invisible! No, a noisy Harley won't help. Surviving while riding requires that you realize you're invisible and expect every vehicle on the road to do the wrong thing! If this scares you, you shouldn't be riding: you'll get hurt.
You have 2 great mirrors and a 360 view. If you let them slip one in on you, that's your bad.

[paulbikes]

12:24 AM on 07/08/2008

brammo makes a sweet looking electric "sport bike". but the reality is it tops at 60mph and has a range of 40 miles.

how about an electric/ gas hybrid scooter? the mileage would be off the charts. easily top 100mph i would imagine.

for now im happy with riding a bicycle, ive stopped driving my car and im looking to buy a super sport bike, which even under extreme driving will oust most any car. drive easy and 70+mpg is no problem.

[medyv]

03:49 AM on 07/08/2008

70+ mpg? Try 40-45....

[Faux]

12:11 PM on 07/08/2008

40-45 if you drive -really- wildly. I get 50-55 mpg on suzuki while cruising at 90 mph. If I drive conservati­vely I can get low 70s right after a tune up.

[WFV]

10:54 PM on 07/07/2008

Thanks, but I will stick with my trusty Vespa.

[blooddoc]

11:09 PM on 07/07/2008

Ditto. My Piaggio BV-200 gets 70 MPG and will go 80 MPH, making it safe even for short hops on the freeway. It cost $4500 less than the Vectrix, which will buy a lot of gas and a lot of miles...

[Dutschke]

10:30 PM on 07/07/2008

Having been a scooter dealer for over 7 years, I would advise to be extremely weary of the Chinese scooters, especially companies like Zapino. These companies don't have your reliable commute in mind. Rather do they have a short term profit in mind.
In the scooter market, the products coming out of China are on a level that could be referred to as "novelty" at best.
In the world of scooters, there is only a hand full of realistic companies, that are really engineerin­g and creating realistic vehicles.
In terms of electric scooters, there is only the vectrix to be named as a half ways decent electric scooter in the US market.
For now, I would recommend scooters like SYM, KYMCO, Vespa, DAELIM and Genuine for the US market. Everything else I would stay away from because it will be Chinese and of poor quality.
Scooters can be a very dependable and realistic substitute for a car or a good backup, if you pick the right brands.

[paulbikes]

12:26 AM on 07/08/2008

Sadly most everything coming from china is, at best, novelty.

Im too macho for a scooter... something like that. really ive just wanted a yzfR6 as long as i can remember, and now i can get one :D

[medyv]

10:16 PM on 07/07/2008

Most of the scooters out there are poor quality Chinese knockoffs of Japanese designs for outrageous prices. For $2500-3000 you could easily get an almost new small displaceme­nt Japanese motorcycle­, like a Kawasaki Ninja 250, Honda Rebel 250, Suzuki GS500 and so on. And you'll be able to go on the freeway...

[c3m]

10:05 PM on 07/07/2008

Jump on honey, we're going to the theater!

[Portnoy]

09:12 PM on 07/07/2008

Yeah, I'd like to see you ride this in Michigan WInters.

[lisakaz2]

01:25 PM on 07/08/2008

They'd need a studded snow tire accessory.­.lol.

[philinmedford]

01:37 PM on 07/08/2008

here you go!
http://www­.mv-motorr­ad.de/cosm­oshop/lsho­p,showdeta­il,13240,e­,110580378­8-30287,,1­0107,,,.ht­m

[DRaymond]

09:06 PM on 07/07/2008

I'd like to see some of these mileage/sp­eed/range claims verified by independen­t sources. From the looks of them some of these appear to be violating the laws of physics.

[Erdgeist]

06:53 PM on 07/07/2008

We need to start changing laws in many cities to ban ore restrict cars so electric and bicycle can prevail.

[Portnoy]

09:11 PM on 07/07/2008

Why are you against freedom of choice? Why must you always BAN other people from doing what YOU don't like?

[FearlessFreep]

11:47 PM on 07/07/2008

Because too many cars take away the cycling choice.

[EosBlue]

12:21 AM on 07/08/2008

Maybe too many bikes will take away or lengthen driving commutes by restrictin­g access to share the roads.

I prefer to ride my bike when I want and also drive my car when I want.

Hey, Erdgeist, maybe you should move to China and get into their bike mob scene.

[robotfog]

01:10 AM on 07/12/2008

I think we should ban everything - including people. Then all the trees and the rabbit eating wolves and the spiders and the rest of nature's lovely creatures can make a life for themselves­. At this point, I'm for sending all humans to the moon - without spacesuits­.

[JBS]

06:51 PM on 07/07/2008

Interestin­g idea, but mighty thin on informatio­n where you can actually find one.

[research]

09:02 PM on 07/07/2008

google electric cycle

sheesh.

[robotfog]

01:14 AM on 07/12/2008

oh, now, not only are we excepted to think for ourselves, we're also expected to google for ourselves? The next thing you know, we'll be expected to dress ourselves. (kidding)

[mamacat]

06:25 PM on 07/07/2008

It sounds like an idea whose time has come. Interestin­g that non U.S. based companies are so big in this area. Sorta like Toyota and the Prius; Detroit would rather go broke than adapt.

Bright colors and bright colored helmets might help make these more noticeable to car drivers. I gave up motorcycle­s years ago, after almost getting killed by people in cars who didn't see me. At the right time and place, they are a great way to travel.

[Birdman]

12:09 AM on 07/08/2008

Most foreign countries have used this type of transporta­tion for years. Here in this country it is not as practical because of the further distances to get from point A to point B, were as in Europe you can do all of your shopping for everyday needs within a few miles of your home. Try to do that in the suburbs in this country the distances are at least twice that.

[lisakaz2]

01:28 PM on 07/08/2008

Birdman is right. Companies in Europe worked on these modes of transport because they could negotiate narrow streets, ones dating back to ancient or medieval cities.

[BruntLIVE]

06:07 PM on 07/07/2008

Remember people, all it takes it one fall or hit, game over. You can't negotiate with gravity, force and death.

[pbfishtaco]

07:52 PM on 07/07/2008

Life is full of risks.
Stay home and look at the computer instead.

[research]

09:03 PM on 07/07/2008

All cyclists face that. I looked at the electric cycles. They are either too underpower­ed or too expensive. Accelerati­on is your only safety on a cycle. If you get one of these 12 MPH things, stay off the streets.

[ffakr]

10:53 PM on 07/07/2008

Electric motors produce max torque at short (when you hit the 'gas'), not at 3,000rpm like a high rev'ing gas motor.
Accelerati­on on an electric vehicle is the best part.

I drive a modified Schwinn scooter around a college town (a neighborho­od outside of a major city). It's basically a large stand up scooter like a kid may have, except it's got a removable seat. With an extra battery, new speed controller­, and a larger motor, we do 25mph. Our scooter is faster than just about every car and bike on the side streets. It generally takes off much faster from a stop unless the car punches it.
(We've also got my Grandma's old 3 wheel scooter pulling wheelies) :-)

[QuestionEverything1982]

05:37 PM on 07/07/2008

If I didn't have a child I would sell my car and drive these.