Environmental, Cost Benefits Make Vectrix
Scooter Tempting For New Riders

Second In Series

by Alan Pollock

            The Cape Cod Chronicle is conducting a summer-long experiment with a 100-percent electric scooter, loaned to us by the manufacturer, Vectrix, Inc.  This is the second in a series of three articles. 

            CHATHAM — Despite headlines trumpeting a three-cent drop in gas prices in the last week, there are plenty of drivers tempted by the idea of cheap transportation.  The Vectrix scooter, which plugs into a standard wall outlet, provides reliable transportation for just a few cents per “fill up” of electricity.  But environmentally, the Vectrix is unmatched.   Because it runs on batteries, there are no tailpipe emissions, no soot, carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases of any type.  Of course, it still relies on electricity generated by local power suppliers, which means that some of the power probably originally came from fossil fuel-burning power plants.

Carbon-buster

            Even so, according to a calculator on the Vectrix website, the electric scooter’s impact on the environment is a fraction of the impact of gasoline-powered vehicles.  That impact is expressed as a carbon footprint, or a measure of greenhouse gas emissions over a period of time, per kilometer of travel.  The carbon footprint of the Vectrix scooter is 35.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide per kilometer, compared to 277 kilograms for a Ford Taurus, and 436 kilograms for a Chevy Suburban.

            Vectrix Senior Product Manager Dana DeCosta said that means replacing even a few automobile trips with a Vectrix can be environmentally beneficial, especially if many people do it.  The electric scooters are currently taking hold in Europe, where many people rely on gasoline-powered scooters for cheap transportation.  But environmentally, the difference between a Vectrix scooter and a conventional one is like night and day, he said.

            One would think that a vehicle that gets good gas mileage would also be kinder to the atmosphere, but that’s not necessarily so.  According to Vectrix’ calculations, a 64-MPG Vespa GT200 gasoline scooter still generates a carbon footprint of nearly 80 kilograms of carbon dioxide per kilometer, and a 70-MPG Suzuki Bergman generates 105 kilograms per kilometer.  All of the calculations take into effect the carbon impact of fuel production.

            For those who are really serious about reducing their personal carbon footprint, an electric vehicle can make a huge difference.  It is possible for a Vectrix scooter to provide transportation with virtually no carbon impact, and it’s being done at the central London offices of Greenpeace International.  There, the organization’s Vectrix is charged using 50 photovoltaic solar cells on the building’s roof. 

            (In our first article, we pointed out that the Vectrix costs just over one cent per mile to operate, based on current electrical rates.  For the record, we didn’t include the distribution charge in the calculation, so the actual cost on Cape Cod is a bit higher, about two cents per mile.)

Recycle it

            The scooter’s other environmental consideration is its battery.  Though earlier models used lead acid and nickel zinc batteries, current scooters use nickel metal hydride batteries, the same type used in hybrid cars.  When the battery reaches the end of its useful life, it can be traded in to Vectrix for a new one, or the owner can have the battery recycled directly by bringing it to a metal shop.  Most of the other parts of the scooter, like the aluminum frame and plastic body panels, can be recycled easily.

            While the current generation of batteries are pretty benign environmentally, the batteries of the future may be less so.  Vectrix, like major auto makers, is exploring the use of lithium batteries to produce the same amount of electricity with less weight, giving the scooter a greater range.  But lithium is more difficult to recycle, and is hazardous if released into the environment. 

            “Those are things that the whole industry is working on,” DeCosta said.  If lithium batteries become the preferred technology for electric vehicles, the incentive will be there to develop ways to make them safer for the planet, he said.

Getting on the road

            But there’s no denying that the cost savings at the pump—not just the environmental benefits—will drive more people to check out the Vectrix.  And some are warning that an influx of inexperienced riders could spell an upsurge in accidents.

            It is surprisingly simple for a person with no motorcycle experience to get on the road legally.  Though I’ve never ridden anything on two wheels except for a bicycle, DeCosta assured me that it was an easy matter to get a motorcycle permit in Massachusetts.  If you already hold a regular driver’s license, just go to the Registry of Motor Vehicles and correctly answer 14 out of 20 multiple choice questions.  With a permit, you can ride a motorcycle legally during the daytime within Massachusetts for two years, as long as you don’t take on a passenger.  I arrived at the registry, filled out a form, and took a seat behind a touch-screen computer monitor to take my test.  This was going to be a piece of cake, I thought.  After all, I’d carefully read through all 83 pages of the Massachusetts Motorcycle Manual.

            Five minutes later, my palms were sweating and I was triple-reading the questions, knowing that one more wrong answer could flunk me out, subjecting me to endless ribbing back at work.  Later, everyone agreed that I’d randomly received the toughest questions.  What happens to your Massachusetts license if your right to operate is suspended in another state?  What’s the penalty if you ride at night on your permit?  How many drinks does it take to reach the legal blood alcohol limit?

            Thankfully, question number 19 was an easy one, and the only question that actually had to do with operating a motorcycle.  If you’re riding along and a parallel parked car on the right opens its door, which part of your lane should you shift to?  Even I could figure that one out. 

            Most people who take the test agree that it’s very easy to pass.  Perhaps too easy.  States’ laws vary when it comes to motorcycle regulation; some states don’t have a provision for learner’s permits and require new cyclists to pass a test or complete a rider education program.  Other states are more lax, and some don’t even require riders to wear helmets.

            For anyone thinking about joining the world of cyclists, taking a rider education class is a must; information is posted at www.mass.gov/rmv.  Then there’s apparel: a helmet is required by law, and one with a full face shield is best.  Top off the ensemble with highly visible outerwear, proper shoes, gloves and goggles, and you’re ready to ride safely.           

            In our final installment, more about motorcycle safety, and experienced motorcycle riders give their evaluation of the Vectrix scooter.  Read part one of the series here. Watch video of the Vectrix in action here.