Modern Vespa

i'm not sure what my particular prismatic (ie, rectangular, not cylindrical) cells are usually used for but li-ion packs can be found in sundry power tools such as DeWalt (A123) and Milwaukie (e-moli), the Tesla (A123), Volt test packs (LG) ...

I have zero interest in an electric scooter, 68 mile range whoop de doo.

How about this electric Hybrid... I want to put these motors in my GTS 250... I wonder if this is the magnetic motors that Piagio is using in their hybrid..

http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Axle_Corporation%27s_Hybrid_Bike

To be fair, a lot of the "plastic scooters" I see are from Piaggio. There aren't exactly a wealth of new metal-bodied non-Vespa scoots out there. Plastic is the default, whether one cares for it or not.

The Vectrix looks great in the flesh, and is enjoyable to ride. Build quality looks fine (at least as good as my X9, probably better), and although it doesn't look like a Vespa, its looks are comfortably in line with other maxi-scoots (and, in my eyes, it's nicer looking than most).

There are issues over charge time and range, but this is still fairly new technology and so I can't believe we won't see improvements on those scores in the future.

For me, even though I think the current Vectrix is too expensive, and too limited in range for me, I love the fact that someone's out there trying to make this technology workable. And, if I ONLY used my bike to commute, a Vectrix would definitely be an option for me.

Silent but deadly ;0)

This my electric bike. It's quite good fun. Always a laugh whooshing past Lycra clad bicycle messengers on hills etc. It also gets you off the lights very quick which is a big safety feature. I actually find it good exercise as I actually enjoy using the bike and always peddle at the same time (my normal peddle cycle has sat in the garage for years as I just couldn't be bothered getting all sweaty going somewhere).

Downsides are:

• range advertised at 30m (probably on flat ground) but I get 1/2 that.
• hub motor doesn't work through gears
• tops out at 20mph. I'd be comfortable going quicker and the bike is robust enough to take the speed.
• Weight - when the battery dies and you're faced with a hill it's a pain.

Big surprise was the hub gearing on the back. I was amazed at how good it was. I assumed everything shifted to derailleurs because they were better but I'd say the opposite is true. Sure I can have a 24 speed derailleur race bike but is that any better than an 8 speed hub - I don't think so. Zero maintenance and it includes a rear brake - also zero maintenance. If they could design better batteries that weighed less and don't loose their ability to hold charge over time then it would work like a charm.

Sportique fired up one to take on a group ride. It kept up just fine, and was interesting to ride next to, for it's almost complete lack of engine noise. We did probably 30-40mph for most of the ride. Towards the end, the ride split into 50s and over-50s, and the Vectrix went with the bigger scoots for a jaunt up into the foothills. I hear it didn't make it all the way back without coasting under zero power down the hills. I thought that was kind of amusing.

These are pretty popular in Asia. Fun to ride, definitely, as you're essentially on a bicycle with the strength of uber-thighs. You're right, though, there's no magical answer to the battery longevity characteristics yet, and the lifespan of these guys is typical of any deep-draw application.