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Ferris_von_bueller
| Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 - 02:17 pm: |
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Tuesday, March 17, 2009 Los Angeles Times When it comes to electric vehicles, the Tesla Roadster and Chevrolet Volt get all the love. But there are other EVs rolling around, and they're balancing on two wheels. Since 2007, when Vectrix of Middletown, R.I., first rode onto the scene with its battery-powered Maxi Scooter, a growing number of U.S. start-ups have entered the plug-in two-wheeler market. They've invested millions of dollars in vehicles, many of which are poised for production within a year. Led by pioneers with impressive resumes, these firms predict growth in spite of the down economy, and they're laying claim to niche markets with such boasts as "first" and "fastest" as they stake out territory in what many believe is the future of transportation. |
Slaughter
| Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 - 02:30 pm: |
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Good read on TTXGP (Isle of Man) coming this year - electric motorcycles in general http://blog.wired.com/cars/2009/03/a-british-motor .html |
Swordsman
| Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 - 02:58 pm: |
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Have you read the Vectrix stats? You won't be getting very far. 55 miles maximum, and that's NOT running the max 50 mph. I read an article about them awhile back where they admitted greatly reduced range if you traveled the maximum speed. ~SM |
Ferris_von_bueller
| Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 - 03:35 pm: |
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Researchers at MIT have developed a process allowing Lithium-ion batteries to be charged in seconds http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7938001. stm If this pans out it might be the boost electric cars and motorcycles need to become convenient and accepted. |
Swordsman
| Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 - 03:38 pm: |
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Screw better batteries, I'd rather have better solar panels. ~SM |
Ferris_von_bueller
| Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 - 03:45 pm: |
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Solar like wind will never be the answer because both rely on sources of energy that aren't constant. Wind is obvious - you need air movement. Solar, requires sunshine which is dependent on geography, time of day and climate. |
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