EKU Police now has a “green” tool to help keep the campus safe –the first electric patrol motorcycle, to Chief Mark Merriman’s knowledge, for any police department in Kentucky.

The Vectrix motorcycle, if driven the same amount of time as a cruiser, would save the University almost $10,000 (its approximate cost) annually if gas averaged $3. EKU’s police cruisers use an average of 2,521gallons of fuel annually and require $2,300 in maintenance, not counting unforeseeable repairs, Merriman noted.

“It is an ideal fit for our college police force,” Merriman said, “because it will allow us to continue our community-oriented approach to policing that facilitates more interaction with the student body, faculty and staff. It allows us to patrol areas not accessible to traditional police vehicles, much like our bicycle patrol.”

During test drives of the Vectrix around campus in August, “members of our community were quick to approach the officer to discuss the new patrol vehicle, which resulted in immediate interaction.”

The motorcycle, manufactured by Vectrix California, can go from 0 to 50 mph in 6.8 seconds and carry two passengers.

Click HERE to read the full article.

When gas prices skyrocketed this summer, Tucsonans, along with others around the country found ways to cut their usage of gasoline. Even with gas prices falling again, so is demand indicating some of the lifestyle changes developed in the summer appear to have stuck. Among the changes were the people who traded in their cars for scooters.

Several local dealers report their sales are up.

Shelby Stirrat, owner of Scoot Over-Fun in Motion, 4534 E. Broadway, says sales are up 70 percent. "And last year was an up year, too," she said.

Stirrat, who has been in business five years, touts her store as the Tucson region’s "first scooter-only shop."

Stirrat said university students, professors and staff have always been customers because of the tight parking situation at the University of Arizona. But this year, she has seen a new kind of customer — commuters with children who have gotten rid of their cars and traded them in for scooters.

While many assume scooter buyers are primarily young people, Stirrat said most buyers actually are 45 years of age or older.

Mike Schultz, owner of Arizona Victory Tucson, 1102 N. Anita Ave., said "scooters are going through the roof — and motorcycles too."

Schultz also has been in business about five years.

He said national dealer news organizations say scooter sales are up 65 percent in the past year.

"People who travel 12,000 miles a year can save $4,000 to $6,000 on gas alone," Schultz said. "And here in Arizona, we have the weather to enjoy a more economical means of transportation."

But people who don’t have much money and could probably benefit most from riding a scooter aren’t the buyers he is seeing. Instead, they’re people who are in good financial shape and can afford to finance the purchase of a scooter.

"They’re parking their cars because they can’t sell them to anybody," he said.

Piaggio, the Italian manufacturer of high-quality Piaggio and Vespa scooter models, reported it sold 18,894 vehicles in the United States over the first eight months of the year, which it says is 2.6 percent of the country’s two-wheeler market. In the midst of $4-per-gallon gasoline, the company said its July sales had reached a 173 percent increase over July 2007.

The manufacturer has two dealerships in the Tucson market, Renaissance Motorcycles Vespa Tucson, 4411 E. Speedway, and Harley-Davidson of Tucson, 7355 N. I-10 Eastbound Frontage Road, Marana.

Vespa Tucson owner Steve Spreter says sales were off "off the charts" in the summer months but since gas prices have started to fall again, so have sales of the Vespas.

"The cost of gasoline has a lot to do with it," said Spreter, who has been selling Vespas for four years.

In addition to scooters, Spreter has another anti-gas guzzling tool in his arsenal — the totally electric Vectrix maxiscooter, made by Vectrix Corporation in Newport, R.I. His dealership just started selling the scooter. It’s priced at just just under $10,000 and can go 35 to 55 miles before it needs to be plugged in again.

Harley-Davidson of Tucson just started selling Vespas after seeing how brisk sales have been nationally, according to Eric Beaudot, assistant sales manager. Beaudot said the dealership’s Harley-Davidson Sportsters are also becoming harder to keep in stock.

"We used to have 20 available at any one time," he said. "Now we only have three to five, and we’re trying to get them to send us more."

Not only are commuters and older people picking up the scooter habit, but owners of old, stored motorcycles are dragging out their bikes and fixing them up, said Gaylen Brotherson, president of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association. Scooters are extremely affordable — some cost just $500 to $1,000, he said.

Further, Brotherson said, even the least fuel-efficient scooters get 50 or 60 miles per gallon, while some average over 100 miles per gallon.

Brotherson said he talks to 10 or 15 dealers a day and they all say scooter sales are up — anywhere from 20 percent to over 100 percent.

Read the original article HERE

Triple British Superbike champion and ex GP rider Niall Mackenzie today paid one of his regular visits to Knockhill Racing Circuit. He was introduced to Knockhill’s latest initiative – Zero Emission Vehicles in the form of the Vectrix Electric Scooter.

“I suppose initially I was a bit surprised to find an electric vehicle at a race track, but knowing Knockhill CEO Derek Butcher’s ability for innovative and forward thinking, and the strength of the team behind him, I suppose I should have been expecting something like this”. Niall added that he enjoyed riding the maxi scooter. “The acceleration, road holding and braking are all absolutely superb. Add in zero road tax and less than a penny a mile running costs and my initial response is entirely favourable. I hope to be carrying out a full road test and report in the New Year.”

For more information on Vectrix in Scotland, go to www.vectrixscotland.com. To arrange a test ride call 01383 745600 or email info@vectrixscotland.com.

On Election Day (Tuesday, November 4th 2008), make your vote count in the polling
booth and on the road - by riding your motorcycle or scooter to vote!

Click HERE to read more.

Lothian & Borders Police replace petrol patrol car with Vectrix electric maxi-scooter.

Click HERE to view full story.

Formula 1 personalities Eddie Jordan, Damon Hill, Adrian Sutil and Giancarlo Fisichella all ride a Vectrix.

Click HERE to view full story.

Maybe you want to save the planet. Maybe you want to save a little more from your pocketbook each month. Now, the electric variants of those once quirky, funny looking scooters have become one of the most popular buys of 2008, providing a largely hassle-free and cheap form of urban or commuting transport for many looking to minimize their carbon footprint and gas costs. We've chosen eight popular electric scooter models to see what kind of fit they would be for you. So what are you waiting for? Jump on!

To view full article click HERE.

A local police department is setting the standard for "going green" with new patrol vehicles.The Penn State University Park Police Department is the first university police department in the country -- and the first department of any kind in the state -- to use the Vectrix electric police motorcycle.The motorcycles don't require any gas and operate on a rechargeable battery that gets plugged into the wall.Four officers on staff who already have their motorcycle licenses have been assigned to use the two vehicles. The vendor also has a three-day training program for tactical police use, which the officers are taking next moths.At a cost of less than $9,000 each, PSU Police Chief Steve Shelow said the department didn't go over budget and didn't have to cut from the budget to buy the two new motorcycles.Shelow said the department should be able to occasionally park two police cars while the motorcycles are on patrol, further saving money and cutting back on pollution.

Click here for the original article

Consumer demand for electric alternatives drives nearly 10-fold increase in dealers of world’s first highway-legal, all-electric two wheel vehicles

Middletown, R.I.—July XX, 2008—Vectrix (www.vectrix.com) Corporation today announced that it has added 45 new dealers in the past 100 days, reaching 50 total dealers and becoming the largest dealer distribution network for electric vehicles in the U.S. consumer market today.
“The success of the Vectrix network shows consumers are ready for new commuting alternatives,” said Mike Boyle, Vectrix CEO. “In many ways this has been the perfect storm—the transformation of the two-wheel industry, the rise in gas prices, the economic pressures, and the increased awareness in the environment.”

In response to rising gas prices, the two-wheel industry is up 65% percent (Motorcycle Industry Council) his year and is the fastest growing segment of the transportation industry. The all-electric Vectrix is extremely economical, operating at just pennies per mile and the equivalent of 357 miles per gallon, compared with 14 mpg for a leading SUV and 46 mpg for a leading hybrid car. Leading gas-powered motorcycles and scooters ranged from 52 to 87 mpg.

An increased focus on environmental issues also has consumers looking to lower their carbon footprint. Tests conducted by the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Tex., on behalf of Vectrix Corporation reveal that two-wheel electric vehicles are three times cleaner than gas-powered motorcycles and scooters and 10 times cleaner than gas-powered cars:

• Based on 15,000 miles a year, an average car emits 3.17 tons of CO2 a year, a motorcycle emits an average of 0.9 tons, and a Vectrix just 0.33 tons.
• By replacing one car 70 percent of the time with a Vectrix, a household can reduce CO2 emission by five tons a year.   
•     Engineered to provide an eco-friendly, powerful alternative for commuting and recreational needs, Vectrix:
• Reaches top speed of 62 mph and offers acceleration from 0-50 mph in 6.8 seconds.
• Has an average range of 30-55 miles on a single charge.
• Offers minimal maintenance, simple operation and low noise.
• Weighs 515 pounds, has a 60-inch wheelbase and 30-inch seat height, seats two comfortably and is highway legal.

Compared to traditional gasoline scooters that can produce up to 10 times the pollution of an average automobile, Vectrix is totally emissions free. It is virtually silent and highly efficient—a patented regenerative braking system redirects energy back into the Vectrix battery pack, which helps to extend its range by up to 12 percent.

Vectrix is more cost effective than gas or hybrid vehicles, since electricity is now one-tenth the cost of gasoline. The Vectrix Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery pack has an estimated life of up to 10 years based on 5,000 miles per year. An onboard charger plugs in to any standard 110/220V electrical outlet to charge the battery pack in just 2-3 hours.

Sophisticated design efficiencies of the smart, sleek Vectrix include a high-efficiency gearbox and drive train, aluminum construction for weight reduction and aerodynamic styling to reduce drag. A low center of gravity, stiff frame and even weight distribution provide superior handling.

For consumers with urban commutes, Vectrix is both convenient and cost effective. The driver can stop and go with one hand by simply twisting the throttle back for acceleration and twisting it forward to slow down smoothly and safely. Fast acceleration and handling make it easy and safe to zip in and out of traffic.
   
About Vectrix Corporation
Vectrix Corporation was formed in 1996 to develop and commercialize zero emission vehicle platform technologies focused on two-wheel applications. The single focus of Vectrix has been to provide clean, efficient, reliable and affordable urban transportation. Vectrix two-wheel zero emission vehicles currently are being marketed to consumers and government fleets. Vectrix Corporation has headquarters in Middletown, R.I., engineering and test facilities in New Bedford, Mass., sales offices in London, UK and Rome, Italy, and production facilities in Wroclaw, Poland.

New England-based Vectrix Corporation partners with DMSE Sports to help runners breath easier at races across the country

Vectrix now available at Riverside Motorsports—its first dealer in the Boston area

Boston, Mass.—Sept. 7, 2008—Vectrix (www.vectrix.com), the world’s first highway legal, all-electric two-wheel vehicle, will lead the way for runners in the Sixteenth Annual Susan G. Komen Massachusetts Race for the Cure (www.komenmassrace.org). The 5K run and fitness walk raises fund for breast cancer care and research, while supporting and remembering victims of the disease.

With no gas, no oil—and no emissions--Vectrix is setting the pace for the fundraising 5K at UMass Boston as part of a partnership with DMSE Sports, Inc. (www.dmsesports.com). The partnership will bring the zero-emission vehicle to the front of dozens of races throughout New England and the country. DMSE had already relied on Vectrix during the 2008 Boston Marathon and the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for the Women’s Marathon.

DMSE, founded by veteran marathon runner and motivational speaker David McGillivray, plans and manages large participatory sporting events such as the Race for the Cure and the Boston Marathon.  The organization will be using its Vectrix vehicle to lead several other races throughout New England this fall.

“As a clean, zero emission vehicle, Vectrix is a great match for DMSE sporting events and we’re excited to partner with them on events throughout the year,” said McGillivray. “Vectrix will eliminate any adverse effects that gasoline powered vehicles could have on runners.”
Vectrix Corporation, which is headquartered in Middletown, R.I., with engineering and test facilities in New Bedford, Mass., has expanded its Boston presence by adding Riverside Motorsports in Somerville, Mass., as its first Boston-area dealer.
 
Engineered to provide an eco-friendly, powerful alternative for commuting and recreational needs, Vectrix:
• Reaches top speed of 62 mph and offers acceleration from 0-50 mph in 6.8 seconds.
• Has an average range of 30-55 miles on a single charge.
• Runs at the equivalent of 357 miles per gallon, about a penny a mile, compared with 14 mpg for a leading SUV and 46 mpg for a leading hybrid car. Leading Gas-powered scooters and motorcycles range from 52-87 mpg.
• Offers minimal maintenance, simple operation and low noise.
• Weighs 515 pounds, has a 60-inch wheelbase and 30-inch seat height, seats two comfortably and is highway legal.

Compared to traditional gasoline scooters that can produce up to 10 times the pollution of an average automobile, Vectrix is totally emissions free. It is virtually silent and highly efficient—a patented regenerative braking system redirects energy back into the Vectrix battery pack, which helps to extend its range by up to 12 percent.

Vectrix is more cost effective than gas or hybrid vehicles, since electricity is now one-tenth the cost of gasoline. The Vectrix Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery pack has an estimated life of up to 50,000 miles. An onboard charger plugs in to any standard 110/220V electrical outlet to charge the battery pack in just 2-3 hours.

Sophisticated design efficiencies of the smart, sleek Vectrix include a high-efficiency gearbox and drive train, aluminum construction for weight reduction and aerodynamic styling to reduce drag. A low center of gravity, stiff frame and even weight distribution provide superior handling.
In the Boston area, Vectrix is available at Riverside Motorsports, 2 Union Square in Somerville, Mass., 617-628-6400.

About Vectrix Corporation
Vectrix Corporation was formed in 1996 to develop and commercialize zero emission vehicle platform technologies focused on two-wheel applications. The single focus of Vectrix has been to provide clean, efficient, reliable and affordable urban transportation. Vectrix two-wheel zero emission vehicles currently are being marketed to consumers and government fleets. Vectrix Corporation has headquarters in Middletown, R.I., engineering and test facilities in New Bedford, Mass., sales offices in London, UK and Rome, Italy, and production facilities in Wroclaw, Poland.

-END-

September 03, 2008: 12:11 PM EST
 
WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- Chrysler LLC is feeling left out in the cold by a new tax credit for plug-in electric cars in pending Senate legislation.
The proposed plug-in credit is part of legislation to extend a wide range of expiring tax cuts, including incentives for renewable energy and individual tax breaks like the college tuition deduction.
Chrysler is seeking a change to the bill to ensure that low-speed electric vehicles will qualify for a credit. The all- electric vehicles have a top speed of 25 miles per hour, and are geared toward use around city centers, university campuses and retirement communities.

Senate lawmakers are gearing up for a September effort to push that bill through. Chrysler and Vectrix Inc., a New Bedford, Mass. maker of electric scooters, are among companies lobbying for last-minute changes to the electric vehicle credit before the legislation is finalized, possibly as early as this month.
Tax credits have long been available for the purchase of hybrid vehicles powered by a combination of gasoline engines and electric batteries. The new tax credit aims to speed the market entry of pure electric vehicles, now being developed by General Motors Corp. (GM), Chrysler, Toyota Motor (TM), Mazda Motor Corp. (7261.TO) and others.

The next generation of those cars, which will be powered by cutting-edge lithium ion batteries, are still at least two years away from commercial availability. But Chrysler unit Global Electric Motorcars now offers lead-acid battery powered vehicles that can travel up to around 30 miles on a single charge. Also dubbed "neighborhood electric vehicles," they are marketed by Chrysler as a no- tailpipe-emissions alternative for short trips to the grocery store or the golf course. A limitation in the tax cut extender bill passed by the House, and the version now pending before the Senate, appears to exclude the so-called GEM cars, and other low-speed electric models. The bill states that the credit will not be available to any vehicle that is not a "passenger automobile" as defined by the EPA. A House Ways and Means Committee aide said lawmakers wanted the tax credit to serve as "an incentive to
produce vehicles for widespread, everyday use." That may not include vehicles that do not travel at highway speeds.

A spokesman for Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Tex., who authored the House version of the plug-in credit legislation, said the credit "is not needed to spur development of GEMs." Two-wheeled electric vehicles like Vectrix's "maxi-scooter" would also not be eligible for the credit under the House-
passed language. The bikes are powered by a nickel-hydride battery, comparable to battery technology used in hybrid cars now on the market, and at maximum speeds up to 62 miles per hour are highway-legal.

Vectrix has enlisted Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., Jack Reed, D-R.I., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., to plead its case to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., the lead author of the Senate tax bill. David Friedman, research director at the Union of Concerned Scientists Clean Vehicles program, called the lead- acid and nickel-metal hydride batteries that power the GEM cars and Vectrix scooters respectively, "yesterday's technology."
"Not a dime of taxpayer dollars should be going to yesterday's technology, it should be going to tomorrow's technology" such as lithium ion battery-powered vehicles, he said.
A Chrysler spokeswoman said the company is fully supportive of the plug-in vehicle credit, and believes it is important to spur the next generation of electric cars. But the GEM car fills a different need, she said. Chrysler and Vectrix officials said the credit would help consumers embrace electric technology now, while more cutting-edge technologies are being readied for commercial sale. Even when the lithium ion technology reaches the market, the first cars available will be out of reach for the vast majority of consumers. "Many people aren't going to be able to afford a Tesla," said Vectrix director of external affairs Colleen Quinn, in reference to the maker of the high-end electric Roadster sportscar. "The whole idea of the tax credit is to jump the chasm so that consumers can benefit now."
The plug-in provision in the Senate bill would provide a tax credit of $3,000 for the purchase of qualified plug-in cars. Chrysler and Vectrix are seeking to add a separate credit, with a base amount of $1,500, for "urban commuter vehicles," which would apply to both GEM cars and Vectrix maxi-scooters.
Passage of the credit is by no means certain this year. The broader tax bill has been hung up by a dispute between Democrats and Republicans over how much of the tax package should be "paid for" by closing tax loopholes and targeted tax increases.
Chrysler and Vectrix will have few opportunities to modify the tax credit, since Senate tax staff has signaled the bill is closed for changes that do not win votes. But if Senate leaders strike a deal on the bill, the companies may have a final shot at slipping language in.
-By Martin Vaughan, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-9244; martin.vaughan@ dowjones.com 
Click here to go to Dow Jones NewsPlus, a web front page of today's most important business and market news, analysis and commentary:

http:// www.djnewsplus.com/al?rnd=AvSeyy9xnxfM2x48pEC5Ew%3D%3D. You can use
this link on the day this article is published and the following day. 

By Paul Jones
Staff Writer    Tuesday, September 2, 2008 10:49 PM PDT

With fuel prices beginning to dip from summer highs, many people are overjoyed that a gallon of gas now only costs a dollar more than it did a year ago. But for those to whom “less bad” falls short of “good,” a Rhode Island company called “Vectrix” may have an answer.
 
The manufacturer of an electric motorcycle, Vectrix recently expanded to include Marin BMW
Motorcycles in San Rafael – its only Marin County location – in what the company claims is the largest
distribution network in the United States for electric vehicles.
 
Vectrix’s invention, a $10,000, rechargeable, freeway-legal motorbike, has been selling gangbusters,
according to company spokeswoman Colleen Quinn. By focusing on electric two-wheelers, rather than
cars, the still-limited capacity of batteries is maximized, increasing the vehicle’s viability as a means of
reliable transportation.
 
“We are operating, as you know, in a period of very heightened interest in the environment, the price of
oil, as well as … two-wheeled vehicles as an alternative for the car,” said Quinn. “Numbers for scooter
sales have gone up 60 percent this year. People are looking at alternatives for their commute.”
 
Chief Technology Officer Peter Hughes said the vehicle offered a number of advantages for commuters
over conventional cars.
 
“We carry a 15-watt onboard charger. It’s ideal for interfacing with an electric utility, and … it takes about
three hours to charge a bike,” he said. “In the future, we could have timing devices associated with
charging vehicles, so if I got home and plugged it in, it wouldn’t start until 11 and I wouldn’t care because
I’m sleeping, and when I wake up my bike is charged.”
 
Hughes said the current model allowed the average commuter a round-trip.
 
“This is an urban commuting vehicle,” he said. “It’s not meant for the interstate, but the typical urban
commute, you get something like 35 miles on a charge. It depends on how you drive, the terrain, but the
average is 35 to 55 miles.”
 
The future, however, may offer more versatile vehicles, Hughes said.

“We’re going to have a product family that spreads out from the existing bike. We’ll have a large bike, like the Vectrix, that will be designed to have different performance characteristics than the current bike, for city commuting. And we’ll be introducing a smaller version, oriented towards the scooter market,” he said. “What we’ve attempted to do with our brand and marketing is seize the high ground, and what we intend to do is build on our product family.”
 
Mike Boyle, President and CEO of the company, said he believed such innovation would broaden the
appeal of the product, gaining over time a substantial share of the overall market for vehicles.
 
“If you look at our sales for the first half of our fiscal year … they’re up over 400 percent. It’s exponential
growth … and we would expect that to continue,” he said. “Our distribution is very balanced between the
United States and Europe, and if you look at our sales … I would say it’s a little more strong in the United States because of the rapid development of the U.S. distribution market.”
 
Boyle said the deal with Marin BMW was part of that distribution strategy, one he said was relatively new, like the vehicle it sold.
 
“We made a decision four or five months ago, that for us to really be successful commercializing our
product, we needed robust distribution configured worldwide. Initially, we used a flagship store concept,
opening our stores in Europe, and that was far too slow to bring commercialization to our product,” he
said. “About five months ago, we began a new strategy and we actively began (pursuing) independent
distribution (partnerships).”
 
According to Boyle, the partnerships with car, motorcycle and recreational vehicle vendors allow the
businesses to increase their draw to vehicle shoppers, while helping Vectrix to make use of pre-existing,
well known sellers to penetrate the market faster.
 
“We’ve very focused on continuing to build that distribution (network), and we’re hoping by the end of the year (to have) 175 (United States and European locations), and over the next two (years), we’re hoping to hit a critical mass of about 400,” he said. “That positions us differently than other electric vehicle (manufacturers)  on the market. We’re using traditional power-sports industry and automotive-dealer distribution networks.”
 
Boyle said the Marin BMW arrangement was an example of that dynamic, and underscored the rarity of
similar partnerships.
 
“We’re extremely proud of the fact that from a BMW perspective, we’re the only product approved to
coexist … It’s the first time in their existence that they’ve allowed another product to (cohabitate). Harley
Davidson has also traditionally been very restrictive, and we’re now at multiple Harley stores in the
United States, and with Honda, we’re a key element in their multi-brand distribution,” he said.
 
Contact Paul Jones at pjones@novatoadvance.com.

Vectrix brand goes up to 55 miles on a single charge

By:  Christopher D. Kirkpatrick
ckirkpatrick@charlotteobserver.com
Posted:    Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008

Joel Winkler, salesman at Team Charlotte Motorsports, perches on one of the new Vectrix electric scooters for sale there. The brand went on sale at two Charlotte-area stores about two weeks ago.
More Information

• Hybrid and scooter sales up
Nationwide registrations for new hybrid vehicles rose to 350,289 last year – 38 percent more than in 2006, according to R.L. Polk & Co., a Southfield, Mich.-based automotive information and marketing firm. The Toyota Prius lead the segment with 179,178 new registrations, or 51 percent of the hybrid market share.  Nationally, new scooter sales have been increasing steadily, particularly since gas prices spiked in the summer of 2005, according to the nonprofit Motorcycle Industry Council, an industry group based in Irvine, Calif.  N.C. registration of motor bikes with engines larger than 150 cc, which includes many scooter models, have been climbing, up 46 percent in five years and reaching nearly 200,000 last year, according to the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles. -- Christopher D. Kirkpatrick Tucked inside a showroom of gas-powered racing bikes, four electric scooters rested incognito this week.

The rare animals, only four in the Team Charlotte Motorsports showroom, looked like regular gas-powered scooters. The difference: They can be recharged in 21/2 hours in a home outlet, and they take no gas or oil. Manufactured by Newport, R.I.-based Vectrix Corp., the sleek Vectrix scooter is the first all-electric, highway-legal bike. It has a 35- to 55-mile range with a top speed of 62 mph. In the Carolinas, the cost to operate is less than a penny a mile, based on the price of electricity. 
The scooter arrived on the Charlotte scene just two weeks ago as the latest green offering in a quickly transforming vehicle marketplace with consumers demanding transportation easy on gas and the environment.  Demand has been strong and growing, Vectrix said. Only about 60 U.S. dealers across the country carry them. But less than a year ago, there were only a handful. 
In general, sales of high-mpg scooters and hybrid cars are up since gas prices started surging over the past year. But some consumers want all-electric because there is no environmentally damaging exhaust, as there is from gas- powered internal combustion engines. 
Team Charlotte sold its first one Wednesday for $8,795. Traditional scooters run from about $2,000 to $8,000. You can't carry a family on a scooter, and it doesn't have room to carry multiple bags of groceries or lumber from the home improvement store. But the Vectrix, like traditional gas-powered scooters, is perfect for the solo commuter, said Mike Jeris, sales manager for Team Charlotte at 3004 Freedom Drive.  Team Charlotte is one of two dealers in the Charlotte area that carry the bike. The other is Matthews Fun Machine at 11240 East Independence Blvd.  The bike looks like a traditional scooter but is bigger. It's also more than twice as heavy because its large battery runs along the bottom of the frame, also giving it a low center of gravity. That means it's not easily pushed around by passing trucks and other highway wind, Jeris said.
 
Universities, including N.C. State University in Raleigh, have special state-funded initiatives to invent the next generation of car battery with more power and quicker recharge times.
And auto companies say they're working to get the first viable electric cars to the market that can be driven longer distances and at higher speeds in a single charge. BG Automotive Group, based in Philadelphia, plans to start manufacturing electric vehicles starting this year that cost about $16,000 and look like traditional cars. The “neighborhood” cars top out at 25 mph. General Motors, which plans to bring its new Chevy Volt hybrid to the market in late 2010, announced a partnership with a group of power companies that includes Charlotte-based Duke Energy. It aims to revamp the power grid and address other issues that could delay a future with more electric cars, such as where to recharge
while on the road. The Volt, which also would have a small gas-powered motor, could go 40 miles on just battery power, GM says.
 
But for the here-and-now, and for the highway, the Vectrix is the only bike offering an all-electric option, Vectrix says. 

Nancy Isles Nation
Article Launched: 08/12/2008 12:10:24 AM PDT



A San Rafael motorcycle shop is one of 45 dealers nationwide to sell the Vectrix electric
scooter, a cycle that charges in three hours. 

Cary Littell, owner of Marin BMW Motorcycles, had been looking for a freeway-legal scooter to sell and found the Vectrix at a trade show. It is one of just a few models made, and it and met speed, style and quality standards Littell sought.  The Vectrix is larger than traditional scooters and easily carries its driver and a passenger - and has a roomy compartment to stash groceries or a briefcase. 

"Over the long term, the scooter is going to be great for the environment," Littell said. "With
motorcycles and scooters, there is a shift from being for hobby or sport to pure transportation
as the price of gas goes up. We will have to all get used to different ways of getting around." 

Vectrix Corp. of Middletown, R.I., was established in 1996 to develop zero-emission vehicle
technologies based on two-wheel designs. The company has focused on clean, efficient, reliable
and affordable urban transportation. 

"The Vectrix is perfect for local residents who need to commute or just run around doing
errands," Littell said. "You wouldn't take the yacht to go water-skiing, so why fire up a huge
SUV to run down to the local market? The Vectrix is inexpensive to operate and is an
environmentally sound choice for Marin residents."

In San Rafael, Littell has sold 23 Vectrix scooters since they became available in May. The
scooters sell for $9,290, but with motor vehicle taxes and other fees, the cost rises to about
$10,200. 

Buyers can complete paperwork and file it with the state Air Resources Board for a $1,500
rebate under a program designed to encourage the use of alternative fuel and electric vehicles. 
While $1.62 million has been set aside for the fuel alternative program, air board spokesman
Dimitri Stanich said the state budget impasse could cause delays in getting checks in the mail. 
The biggest obstacle for potential buyers, Littell said, is licensing. The state requires scooter
drivers to carry motorcycle licenses. Littell recommends that anyone thinking about a scooter
enroll in the California Motorcycle Safety Program, a 16-hour class that includes instruction
and controlled riding, using the program's motorcycles and helmets.
 
On Tuesday, David Canepa and his son Ryan stopped by Littell's shop to check out the Vectrix. 
David Canepa said he is waiting for the delivery of electric trucks at his Mill Valley Market and
wants to do his part for the environment with his personal vehicle. He drives a Vespa for short
trips. 

"The Vespa's great, but these are pretty cool," Canepa said. 
Other dealers in Marin sell gas-powered scooters, and Marin Cycleworks in Corte Madera
carries the Zap brand electric scooter, but they have a maximum speed of 45 mph and are not
legal on highways. 

The Vectrix is ideal for commuters who work 13 miles or less from their homes - or more if
they can plug-in at work, Littell said. A fully charged scooter can travel about 35 to 55 miles,
depending on the terrain, traffic conditions and even the size of the driver. It has a top speed
of 62 mph and accelerates from 0 to 50 in 6.8 seconds. 

Marin BMW offers test rides for as long as 36 hours for customers who want to try one out. 
"It doesn't work for everybody," Littell said. "We want people to try it out and see if it works for
their needs and their lifestyle."

July 31, 2008

Patrick L. Delabrue
pdelabrue@argusleader.com 

While one thunders up the road with a powerful roar that proudly announces its presence to everyone in
earshot, the other modestly whispers its arrival with sterile cleanliness and efficiency.
 
Harley-Davidson motorcycles and Vectrix electric motor scooters might not seem like an obvious
partnership, but the two have joined together to market the scooter to South Dakota motorists.
 
J&L Harley-Davidson is South Dakota's first dealership offering the economically friendly Vectrix maxi-
scooter. "We're really excited to take them on, especially with a lot of cities in the United States mandated to go green," motorcycle sales manager Jim Entenman said. "It's a big initiative by everybody, and this is a product we can offer our customers that's 100 percent green."
 
With a top speed of 62 mph, Entenman said the scooter can keep up on the interstate and zoom through city streets with zero emissions and can go as far as 65 miles before it needs recharging.
"People spend a lot of money on gas every month, and this is good alternative to help cut back on that
expense," he said.
 
The scooters require no gas or oil and can be plugged into any 110/120-volt outlet to recharge in three to five hours.
 
"They're sleek, clean and fun," Entenman said.

Alan Bainbridge, 43, came to South Dakota for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally from Whittier, Calif.
Bainbridge said an electric scooter could be in his future.
 
"For the commute in California, it would definitely reduce our smog out there," he said. "If we could get
more people on those, it would help a bunch. It would be a great way to be nice and quiet and save the
environment." Another curious J&L customer checking out the scooters was Rene Balez, 67, from Manitoba, Canada.
 
Balez also is in South Dakota for the Sturgis rally and has been riding Harleys for several years.
 
"Whether they're scooters or cars, electric vehicles are the way of the future," he said. "They're clean and affordable, so I may end up on one of those things too."

Business First of Louisville - by Terry Boyd Staff Writer

. 
Four years ago, Mike Ehrler invested in — of all things — a company pioneering the technology of
large electric scooters closer in overall size to a motorcycle. “It wasn’t much money, about $70,000. Back then, I did it on a lark,” Ehrler said. At the time, gas cost less than $2 per gallon, said the retired Ehrler’s Dairy Inc. co-founder and Louisville-based investor.

Now, with gas at $4 per gallon, investing in Vectrix Corp. seems more like kismet.
“With the price of gas where it is, I think it’s a very good investment,” Ehrler said. Rising fuel costs and concerns about the environment have made Vectrix a hot item, especially considering that it’s a fairly expensive, first-generation electric scooter. Waiting to scoot
When he decided to buy one himself last year, Ehrler had to wait six months for delivery, even
though he’s an investor. At Station Park Honda, located at 830 S. Ninth St., the scooters are sold out, with two orders of six units each due in the next few weeks, said Dean Johnson, the general manager.
Station Park Honda was one of a handful of Vectrix dealers only a few months ago, and it has sold a
total of 40 since the scooters became available in the United States last year, mostly in other states,
Johnson said. In addition to Louisville, Station Park has delivered Vectrix scooters to customers in Tennessee, Ohio, Illinois and even shipped them to Iowa, said Clyde Ensor Sr., who is both a Vectrix investor and a co-owner of Station Park Honda.

Station Park is the only dealership in Louisville that carries the scooters. It is owned by the Ensor
family, which also owns Hesco Parts LLC, a Louisville-based auto-parts manufacturer.
Right now, Vectrixes are assembled in Poland and shipped to the United States, but Ensor would like
to change that. With its United Parcel Service Inc. air hub, Louisville is perfectly positioned for
distribution, he said. “I’d like to assemble them here,” he said in an interview Wednesday. “I’m getting ready to call the CFO (Christopher Moe). With UPS, we could ship any place in North America.”
Ensor added that if it happens at all, it would be years down the road. Ehrler, the Ensor family and several others are among about 10 Louisville investors in Vectrix Corp. The result is that Louisville is the largest investor base — by number of investors — in the United States for the Newport, R.I.-based company, said Tom Eifler Jr., co-owner of The Eifler Group investment firm. That includes Eifler and his father, T