The rising sales of high-speed petrol bikes have forced the players in the electric two-wheeler industry to introduce comparatively high-powered and performance-oriented machines in the segment.

Most players like Electrotherm, Hero, BSA have already introduced such bikes or are in the process of coming up with electric bikes with a higher speed and mileage.

Electrotherm India Ltd, which markets its two-wheeler under the brand, YoBykes, has said it will have one-third of the bikes with ‘high-speed’ (around 55 km/hour) this year.

Read the complete article at:
Electric bike makers to introduce ‘high-speed’ machines

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

In the fall of 2009, Yamaha debuted a hybrid motorcycle, the HV-X, with production planned for 2010. Now, Yamaha is moving into the battery electric vehicle space by introducing a scooter into Asian markets.

Prototypes of the EC-03 were revealed last year, but Yamaha confirms that these scooters will make their debut in Japan this summer. In the next year or two, they will also be offered in Taiwan, due to a program offered by the Taiwanese government to help popularize electric scooters, and in Europe, where progress is being made in preparing a charging infrastructure for electric cars that could also be used by scooters.

Read the complete article at:
Yamaha Motor Plans To Introduce Electric Scooters Overseas

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

BMW has developed the C1 Electric scooter. It is based on the original petrol powered C1, with a more aerodynamic appearance. The new model is powered by a Vectrix electric motor and has the same previous safety features like a seat belt and roll over bar. There are currently no plans to put it into production according to the factory, as it was produced as part of a European safety project, but it certainly looks cool.

Read about this electric scooter, and other motorcycle gear and equipment that is going to come on the market in 2010, at Euro Gossip December 2009.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

“Electric vehicles are part of the future. They’re quiet, clean, inexpensive and very low maintenance; they don’t run on oil or gas and are great for every facet of life.”

In an effort to promote electric motor and battery powered vehicles, Clint Mart transformed his ideals into a prosperous online business, www.ElectricScooterVille.com, in September of 2009. Here, green living enthusiasts and other customers can browse through a selection of electric-powered transportation options, all equipped with the latest technological advancements and backed by an Xtreme Scooter warranty.

The electric bicycle is available in many varieties including two models that look like regular bikes and one model that can be easily folded for convenient travel and transportation. Every design adheres to the federal bicycle regulation HR727, which allows the cyclist to travel in bike lanes and on bike paths and can be operated without any form of driver’s license or registration.

The electric scooter is also in compliance with this law; it’s allowed in bicycle lanes and paths in most jurisdictions and doesn’t require a driver’s license. Many have an optional seat that is easily installed or removed.

The electric mobility scooter has proven to be Mart’s favorite vehicle because of the superior mobility it has provided his wife, Sylvia, who is a Polio survivor. This revolutionary new design is for a person who can’t walk any distance but is healthy and active. The XB420M scooter is unlike most other mobility scooters that can only get around on firm, smooth surfaces. This model can easily travel across four to six inches of thick grass, through gravel, dirt and rough surfaces without slowing or getting stuck. Set on three large pneumatic wheels, it features an adjustable captain’s chair, side mirrors, turn signals, a horn and storage compartments. This stable mobility scooter can safely and securely travel up to 15 mph and 20-25 miles between charges.

The line of electric mopeds shows the latest technology in electric vehicles. This swift and safe ride can travel up to 65 mph and has a range or of up to 85 miles between charges. They comfortably seat two adults and are therefore excellent commute vehicles.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

In October, the annual Tokyo Motor Show in Japan had quite a few cool concept vehicles on display.

One of these was the EC-f scooter from Yamaha. The electric-powered vehicle is designed to serve as a commuter bike for city dwellers.

The scooter is built of lightweight aluminum, and runs on a lithium-ion battery which can be plugged into a normal electrical socket for recharging.

Source: Yamaha unveils EC-f electric scooter concept

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

India — TI India has just entered into the Indian e-bike and scooter market (dominated by imports from China!), a market that has been growing steadily in the last few years.

The scooters offer low running costs, no more noise than a hum, and zero emissions. Hero Motors and TVS have also introduced electric scooters into India.

BSA Motors, a strategic business unit of TII and a part of the multi-billion dollar Murugappa Group, launched one of the widest ranges of e-scooters, in Pune. The range consists of three no-riding-license-needed 250W scooters, as well as 500W and 800W vehicles.

At the bottom of the range is the BSA Smile, a 250W scooter with a top speed of 25 km/h and a range of 60 km per charge. At Rs 25,600 ex-Pune, it is also the most inexpensive product of the range and is being aimed at school teens. The other 250W scooters in the range are the Diva and the Street Rider, which are more stylish in order to appeal to the college crowd.

At the top of the line are the Roamer and Roamer+ models. The Roamer comes with a 500W motor which gives it a top speed of 40 km/h. The Roamer+ is capable of 45 km/h with its 800W motor. Both vehicles have a range per charge of about 50 km. These scooters are aimed at housewives and working professionals, and can carry two comfortably.

BSA has opened a brand new 300-million rupee plant at Ambattur near Chennai built specifically for assembling e-scooters. The plant has an initial production capacity of 150 scooters a day, which can be ramped up to 300 vehicles per day. The company is trying to reduce dependence on foreign components.

The company’s next focus is Maharashtra, with around 12 dealerships and eight sub-dealers planned in eight major towns in the state in this year

Visit BSA Website

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Vectrix Corp, headquartered in Rhode Island, had an assembly plant in Wroclaw Poland, and an R & D center in Bedford MA. They debuted their VX-1 scooter in mid-2007. Over the last year they launched two less expensive bikes, the VX-1E and the VX-2. At their height they had 90 dealers in the U.S. and nearly 160 dealers worldwide.

However, potential users criticized the VX-1 for a high price (compared to equivalent gas powered scooters). In addition, Vectrix had an expensive business plan which included creating a worldwide sales and service infrastructure.

As of July 15 2009 Vectrix have laid off all but essential staff. This follows a prior layoff in April and several announcements of strategic restructuring over the last few months. The company may either be sold or declare bankruptcy (or perhaps the goverment will bail it out? ed)

Irontically, they recently won two 2009 Green Good Design Awards for the VX-1 Maxi Scooter and for an electric Super Bike.

On May 1, 2009 Brammo announced that they had hired several “industry leaders” for their executive team. This included several former Vectrix employees. Brammo is now selling an electric motorcycle which is soon to be available through Best Buy.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

I know this is not an electric bike, but an engine this versatile deserves a mention. Dean Kamen, creator of the Segway, is building an electric scooter powered by a Stirling external-combustion engine, and says that it will run on anything.

External-combustion engines were in use for almost a hundred years before being supplanted by the internal-combustion engine. Internal combustion is used fro modern automobiles because of its horsepower and torque. But Segway inventor Dean Kamen is working on several new uses for the Stirling external-combustion engine. He’s working on an electric generator that can use almost anything that burns as fuel. This will make his new hybrid-electric scooter one that may never need recharging.

Kamen has already demonstrated a Stirling-engine car. Stirling engines are also under development as auxiliary power for houses, and Gizmag says he is also working on a Stirling engine-powered robot for the US military that can “eat” wood or leaves and never needs recharging.

Source: Gizmag

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

London, England — Piaggio, the makers of the classic Vespa, showed off their new hybrid scooter to the newsmedia in the week of July 12, 2009. The three-wheeler is powered by both petrol and electric motors.
The bike is expected to be on sale in the UK by September.

To switch between using petrol, or using electric power, the ride of the MP3 Hybrid bike merely needs to push a button. Its top speed is 20 lilometers an hour. The gasoline motor is a 124cc, the electric motor, 2.6kW.

Yamaha, Honda and Segway are hurrying to produce their own hybridges.

The battery takes five hours to recharge, but can be plugged into an ordinary 220 volt household plug with a small connector.

Piaggio claims the scooter will manage 60km a litre, compared with an average of 26km a litre for the average mid size petrol scooter. Its CO2 emissions are 40 grams per kilometre compared with 90grams per km for a similar petrol brand.

The price is high – expected to be between 8,000 and 9,000 pounds.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Los Angeles, California — The state of California is becoming one of the greenest in the United States. They offered a $1,500 rebate for certain electric scooters, but there were so many applications that funding for the $1.8 million program for alternative fuel vehicles ran out.

Recently, state air quality regulators approved an additional $5 million in grants for plug-in cars and motorcycles.

One electric scooter that Californians are considering buying is from Vectrix Corp. It has a top speed of 62 mph and a range of at least 35 miles per charge.

The $10,000 bike also comes with a $450 rebate from the company.

Manufacturers and dealers say it’s too early to tell whether the incentives are making a difference in sales.

One analyst says the tax breaks, especially for non-electric models, aren’t enough to make a difference.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites