Electric motorcycles and scooters
Electric scooters are rising in popularity because of higher gasoline prices. Battery technology is rapidly improving making this form of transportation more practical.
Advantages of electric scooter over gasoline powered scooter:
- The fuel costs for an electric scooter are less than one-third the cost of a gasoline scooter.
- Nearly silent.
- Zero emissions. Can ride the scooter indoors.
- No trips needed to the gas station. Plug in at home.
- Lower maintenance costs and fewer maintenance activities. For example no need to change oil.
Disadvantages:
- Up front costs are higher than comparative gas powered scooter.
- Reliability not proven. How long do the batteries last?
- Shorter range before recharging or fill up.
- Longer fill up or recharge time.
- Lower maximum speed in some cases, mostly regarding full-sized motorcycle-class scooters
Current or upcoming electric scooters
| Battery | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Top Speed | Cost | Type | Life | Capacity | Range |
| Vectrix | 60 mph | $8K | Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) | 10 years or 50,000 miles / 80,000 km | 30 Ah, 3.7 kW-h | 68 miles (110 km) @ 25 mph (40 km/h) |
| Taz Elecra | 50 mph | 4x12v sealed lead acid gel | 700 cycles | 45AH | 90m/144km | |
| e-max sport | 37 mph 55 km/h |
$2,750 | 8 x 12V/20A Silicone battery[1][2] | 400 cycles | 50-70 km
25km/h version distance range 90-110km | |
| Evader | 30 mph | $2,500 | 4x12v Sealed Lead Acid Gel[3] | two years | 45AH | 40 miles / 70 km |
| eGO Cycle 2 | 23 mph[4] | $1,200 | 25 miles (18 mph, 150 lb rider, flat terrain) | |||