>From a buddy: There are also newer electric scooters with pedals
(legally just a bicycle) that just arrived in Vancouver BC that have
close to 23MPH Ego-II e-scooter speeds. Still faster are the {est.
25MPH top speed} EVT-168 and {est. 29MPH stop speed} EVT-4000e scooters
which, unfortunately, are brushed, and use up battery charge quickly
imho. (EVT's in Canada may be faster, but I can't confirm that
definitively.) One other alternative is the [very comfortable] electric
"Harley" sold by ERide at 4th and Pine -- this is bigger than classic
Vespa's and require licensing like a 50cc. The electric Harley scooter
is brushLESS (you should confirm that fact independently) so it should
be using less of battery charge. The brushed-motor EVT electric
scooters also require licensing, btw. One excellent alternative to
ebikes and electric scooters is the powered electric bike TRAILER at
E-Ride, too. Made In Canada, and very practical, and MUCH safer for the
cyclist, imho. One upcoming line of new electric scooters is the E-Max
from Germany via China. However, I see from Jason's E-Max Diary and the
VISFORVOLTAGE forums that the E-Max scooters have allegedly serious
problems with their batteries and controllers dying very early, and
delays in getting replacement, etc. etc. So, even if the EMax
German/Chinese electric scooters have brushless motors and 40MPH
speeds, I would suggest to potential buyers of the E-Max that they
delay their purchase until such time that positive long-term product
reviews confirm the durability of the EMax, which is simply going
through growth pains -- that's normal for products from China. (The EVT
scooters are from Taiwan, suppossedly, but potential buyers should
check out that fact because Chinese-quality isn't as good as
Taiwan-quality imho in the bicycle industry. The VIN label should state
date/country of manufacture.) Oh, before buying an Ego-II electric
scooter, check out the latest forum postings about their customer
service.
Ron Ruff wrote:
> Werehatrack wrote:
> > [1] For purposes of discussion, I currently consider that an
> > electric-assist bike must have a range of 35 miles at no less than 90%
> > of average top speed with a 200 lb rider on level terrain, a battery
> > recharge time of one hour after a 35 mile run, a battery life of 1000
> > recharge cycles, a half-life to failure of the control system, wiring
> > and motor of at least 30000Km, and a completely tool-less recharging
> > procedure before it can meet a reasonable minimal definition of
> > potentially useful for the average general-public rider. Furthermore,
> > if the cost exceeds $400 over the price of a typical decent bike, I
> > question whether it can get market acceptance in any event. Anything
> > less in performance, or higher in price, is a niche-market specialty
> > vehicle.
>
> I think your requirements are a bit extreme. IMO, the biggest obstacle
> to the use of light electric vehicles is a lack of *safe* places to use
> one. I know I'm taking my life in my hands when I ride a bike, but it
> is a hooby/sport for me and I accept that most fun things are also
> dangerous. The average person who thinks that a 2500 lb car is too
> small to be safe on the roads, would certainly not feel safe on a
> scooter.
>
> But, if we are talking about electric transportation, one of these
> might make more sense:
> http://www.electric-scooter-world.com/RoadTestEMaxSport.htm
>
> Something similar with an enclosed body (like a velomobile) would be
> practical transportation in rain and cold weather... but having to
> share the road with large trucks will always make them unacceptable for
> the vast majority of the population.
