Sunday July 19, 2009, 5:30 am
I have test-ridden a Vectrix electric motorcycle (or "maxi-scooter"). It is rated to 100km/hr (about 62mph)and I rode it at up to an effortless 90km/hr (56mph- the local speed limit). Our freeways vary between 100 and 110 km/hr (about 70mph). Its range is speed-dependent, losing charge a lot faster at higher speeds. I would describe it as a very competent city commuter. Its owner charges it from photovoltaics on his roof so mostly avoids the question of burning coal at the power station to operate the machine. (He lives a way out of the city so on cloudy days he does sometimes plug it into the power supply at work; so his boss charges him AU$2/week.) The lifetime carbon efficiency will include the carbon costs of manufacture of the motorcycle itself and of the proportion of the PV panels used to power it. Lifetime general maintenance costs are less because electric motorcycles with direct drive don't even have gearboxes and chains/belts/driveshafts to maintain, use regenerative braking (less wear on the actual brakes) and their electric motors require a lot less maintenance than internal combustion engines. Neither do they require catalytic converters, another environmental plus as that saves mining rare platinum-group metals. I hope this is helpful. Andy W

Sunday July 19, 2009, 11:22 pm
Andy the Vectrix sounds great, thanks for sharing. Check the comments on the original article, I came across a freeway certified electric motorcycle as well.