I commuted 100% Electric. TODAY!

[MikeB]

Ok folks, my new 100% electric commuter arrived yesterday, and I rode it to work today (and then an errand to Home Depot). It's got a 4.4kWh lithium (LiFePo3) battery pack, which is bigger than the V1's original spec, but only a 3kW electric hub motor. Top speed is around 55mph, and the range is probably going to be about 40 miles.

Sound cool? It is.

This is what I got: EVD LFP (http://www.rmartinbikes.com/evd-electric-motorcycle.html)

And here are some pics from the delivery and setup:
Pictures at PicasaWeb (http://picasaweb.google.com/mikeboni/rmartinevdlfp)

dr:ive1)

[Derwin]

Mike,

Nice ride! cool:thu:mb1

I think that is a fantastic vehicle to get around town in, and just think.... you don't have to spend a dime on gas! You can't beat that.

2thumb:up

Derwin

[MVRacing]

Hi Mike,
Looks good! Who is the manufacturer? I've been looking at EScooters. Looking forward to a longer term update.

[MikeB]

MVR, it's made by a chinese company: http://efun-ev.com/

I've calculated my 'fuel' costs to be close to one penny per mile, and the battery pack should last something like 2000 full discharges (and I'll get much more than that, since I'll rarely need a full discharge).

More importantly, my carbon footprint is seriously reduced, and nobody has to send the military overseas in order to protect my fuel supply. I'm feeling really good about this, on several levels. :whoohoo:


Oh, it looks like EScooters carries X-Treme brand bikes. I had ordered that brand (but with a different dealer), but canceled when I found the performance stats were rather inflated. Their '55mph' bike had a real top speed of only 42mph, which I didn't think was safe on my local roads. There is an interesting story behind those two manufacturers, used to be one company run by a pair of brothers, then they split up.

[MVRacing]

MVR, it's made by a chinese company: http://efun-ev.com/

Oh, it looks like EScooters carries X-Treme brand bikes. I had ordered that brand (but with a different dealer), but canceled when I found the performance stats were rather inflated. Their '55mph' bike had a real top speed of only 42mph, which I didn't think was safe on my local roads. There is an interesting story behind those two manufacturers, used to be one company run by a pair of brothers, then they split up.

Thanks, that's the kind of info I was looking for.

[RAN]

Kewl Mike!

As long as you don't run them down to 0% (or much below 20%), LiFePo3 batteries should last a long time.

[ziggy951]

Max load: 282 lbs....I guess my ego wont be able to ride with me anymore...but with that thing it wouldn't want to anyway!


Jokes aside, not a bad little scooter.





Z

[Miracleman89]

Well I can't buy one!!! I need something that get's up a mountain well and goes at least 55MPH! These things come so close and yet so far!

[MikeB]

Well I can't buy one!!! I need something that get's up a mountain well and goes at least 55MPH! These things come so close and yet so far!

The other brand to watch in the electric scooter space is the Vectrix (http://vectrix.com/). It's max speed is restricted to 62mph, and it's got a much bigger electric motor to get you there faster. It's an american design and better built than the chinese models, but also a good bit more expensive. The current model uses NiMH batteries, but lithium is coming, possibly as soon as the end of this year. The Vectrix is a good bit heavier than my new scooter, and has shorter range, but it does go faster.

[MikeB]

Curses, foiled by the GA DMV, at least for today.:confused:

Registering an electric vehicle still has problems around here, one of the forms that I need requires me to check 'Yes' if the engine is larger than 50cc's.

And I also have to get the vehicle inspected by a police officer, to verify that it's got a NHTSA sticker on it that says 'Legal for Highway use.'

An odd contradiction, given that they state is giving me 20% of my purchase price back for getting a 'zero emissions vehicle.' You'd think they'd make it easier somehow....

[rogwild]

Just got an 'E-kit' (250W 36vdc), hub-motor and battery pack added to my Trikke last weekend.
http://www.trikke.com/idaho/index.html
Suppose to get 12 miles 'electric only', and with the use of 'human power' the range can be extended to ......as long as YOU LAST. Great 'workout' moving the extra 30lbs. around, but the 'electric boost' is great when you come to hills, or are tired from a day's workout and just want to get home quicker. More of a FUN, than a commuter vehicle, but there are ways to carry 'cargo' if you like. One guy, Jimmy Evans, traveled from Jax, FL to L.A., CA on a non-electric one (carrying all his camping gear) last year.
Great for 'walking the dogs', and less than 1/5 the price of a Segway, and much more portable.

[Derwin]

Wow! You bought one of those, rog? I bought a T12 from Adam, and I really tried to learn the darn thing, but I finally gave up on it. bang:h:1

But this new edition seems pretty interesting. I may have to call Adam and get me one of those! Pretty cool. Thanks for posting it. thu:mbs:up:22


Derwin