The Vectrix Scooter is back! The company produced highway capable electric scooters 5 years ago. Performance of the 2007/2008 model was good, looks were great, and the range was acceptable.
Vectrix toured the shows in 2007. We had the chance to test ride one of the early Maxi-Scooters. The bike handled very well and featured regenerative braking, and Brembo braking...great features at that time.
Acceleration was smooth and powerful thanks to a 20.2 kW motor. A 3.75 kWh Ni-MH battery pack provided a reported 45 mile range. Stopping the bike seemed smooth and natural, when the bike was busy recharging.
The only problem was the price: $11,000 in 2008 US dollars was a bit of a tough sell.
Though the company never turned a profit, sales at the end of 2008 were $6.7 million. Vectrix did manage to market 2,000 Maxi-Scooter units before the economy turned south.
Vectrix could not keep with the sinking tide and slumping sales. In the fall of 2009, the company filed Chapter 11 and laid off its non-essential workers. At its peak, the company had over 200 workers and some 225 dealerships.
Vectrix Scooters in 2012
The Vectrix company has re-organized and now offers 2 updated versions of the 2007 Maxi-Scooter called the VX-1 Li and Li+.
Vectrix VX-1 Electric Scooter
$12,000 to $14,000 USD
Vectrix VX-2 Electric
Scooter about $4,300 USD
The VX-1
The VX-1 uses the same platform as the Maxi-Scooter, with LiFePO4 battery packs in 3.75 kWh (Li) and 5.4 kWh (Li+) capacities. Ranges of the two new models are 50 miles and 70 miles average, respectively.
The new scooters are priced at about $12,000 and $14,000.
The VX-2
Vectrix had talked about a smaller version of the VX-1 back in the day. Now the company offers up the VX-2. This scooter is basically an amped up e-bike. Top end is 30 mph courtesy of a 4 kW motor. A 1 kWh battery pack gives the scooter a 45 mile range.
Price for the VX-2 is about $4,300 USD. We would opt for an e-bike at half the cost for about the same performance. Reviews seem to agree that while the VX-2 is a well made
ride, it is not going to save the owner much.
The VX-3
The VX-3 is a snappy looking 3-wheel electric scooter. It uses the same basic powerplant as the VX1 Li+ scooter. The 3-wheel desigh makes the design more stable, and it does look pretty cool. The extra stability and looks will set you back an additional $1,000 over the LX1 Li+ at $15,000 USD.
The Vectrix Electric Motorcycle
In 2012, Vectrix is back, marketing an electric sport motorcycle. The new model is an updated version of a 2007 project. The new bike gives a 125 mph top end in 12 seconds. Range is given as 124 miles and a recharge time of 80 percent in 2.5 hours is standard.
Testing the market, Vectrix has set up a 200 - 500 unit limited production run. Refundable deposits can be made to secure one of the new Vectrix bikes.
