Vectrix Maxi Scooter

...Green biker on acid

Would-be eco-biker, Jonathan Elliott, tests the Vectrix Maxi Scooter 

First published in Cleantech magazine, June/July 2007. ©  Cleantech Investor Ltd.

As an Adventure-Tourer biker wracked with ecoguilt over my petrol passion, the Vectrix Maxi scooter, it was suggested, might be a cure for my angst. With a top speed of 62mph, the Vectrix is fast. And its range of 68 miles per two hour charge compares very favourably with previous electric vehicles.

First impressions as I sped off around the purpose built track were good. The bike’s acceleration was quite a surprise: 0 – 50 mph in 6.8 seconds. The brakes are more akin to a super-fast street bike, as is the cornering. After a few laps of the circuit I was really starting to have fun. The armchair seat was saying, “sit back and commute”. The low centre of gravity (the batteries are slung low), and stiff frame meant the bike was begging to be spun.

Nifty features include a reverse gear and regenerative braking. Priced at nearly £7,000 this is no pizza delivery bike. It’s looking to compete in the ever more popular, top-end Maxi Scooter market. The bike is exempt from UK road tax and the London congestion charge – and many local authorities permit free parking. Vectrix claim that, around town, averaging a speed of 25mph, the range is 68 miles. Perfect for those wanting to whiz around the city but too lazy to cycle. If you are considering commuting on electric, Vectrix are happy for you to take a bike for a week and put it to the test.

You may be thinking, hang on, this sounds like a sales pitch. Well, the bike is pretty good to ride. And I would like to see quiet, green transport become the norm. But, it’s not all eco-easy-rider. Firstly, there’s the price tag. Then there’s the weight. At 210 kilos, this may put off less experienced riders. And, although it looks great, I was a little concerned about the build quality. Apparently, the bike I tested had been used as a stunt bike the previous week. This may have been the explanation for a little rattling at high speeds. But, the ill-fitting screen that hits the bars at full-lock is a design fault. The main issue, though, is the riding position. At 6’2” I am a little taller than average. Even so, I shouldn’t have been feeling a nagging hip pinch after five minutes.

On balance, this isn’t a bad bike at all. Maybe – just maybe – there is some justification to the Vectrix claim that “Cool people ride electric”.