Could a motorcycle/scooter go hybird?

There is a 3 wheeled Piaggio hybrid plug-in scooter coming.

Piaggio Unveils a 141-MPG Plug-In Hybrid Scooter | Autopia from Wired.com

Italian scooter-maker Piaggio has unveiled a plug-in hybrid three-wheeler it says will get up to 141 mpg and could be on the road as early as next year.
The gas-electric version of Piaggio's funky but fun MP3 scooter uses a parallel hybrid system much like that in the Toyota Prius but advances the technology by adding an electrical cord. Although Toyota, General Motors and several other automakers are developing cars that can be charged from a wall socket, Piaggio's timeline, if met, would make it the first in the world to mass-produce a plug-in hybrid.
The MP3 Hybrid that Piaggio rolled out at the big international motorcycle expo in Milan, Italy, combines a 125-cc gasoline engine with an electric motor in an easy-to-ride three-wheeler that reportedly could do zero to 60 in around 5 seconds.

 

Hi Fraser,

For short runs, yiou might consider a the Maxi-Scooter made by Vectrix. Its all electric. http://www.vectrix.com/

 

Who needs a hybrid motorcycle when fuel is less than $1.50..

 

...or how about, someone who just wants one, that's who.

 

I agree. There is no need to waste your time at all on gasoline.
Just go pure electric and pay the equivalent of 40 cents per gallon with a Vectrix.

See my signature for info on the Vectrix electric maxi-scooter.

 

Seeing how you can predict the future could you give me a few stock tips?

 

The hybrid idea has already spread to scooters and even bicycles. The weight is more of an issue with bicycles, as the energy density of the batteries seems to be less than that of a fit humanoid. For someone not used to riding, and only going a short distance, they're fine.

 

The Vectrix has an all electric range of 35-55 miles.
Top speed 64 mph
0-50 in 6 seconds
0-60 in 8 seconds
4 kwh battery
At 10 cents per kwh that is about 40 cents to go 40 miles.

It has plenty of "oomph". It will beat most cars off the line.

 

Think you could handle a electric motorcycle?

Once I get enough post I will post the link..
Free Post

 

I have been riding one for 5 months and 3,000 miles.

Vectrix Maxi-Scooter Peak Oil Garage

 

Hi Fraser,
I quote you -

" I might opt for a scooter that was stable enough for short residential runs. "

But you have the common "golf cart" thought regarding electric vehicles. Electric motors have a torque characteristic unlike gasoline engines. They have flat high torque up to a point just short of the power peak. Then it tapers off. This gives vehicles that use electric motors very good low speed accelleration 0 to 50 mph. The german motorcyle engineer that reviewed the Vectrix when it was first prototyped a few years came back after a half hour trip around a city and told the Vectrix guy " you have built a weapon ! " . This is a nerd compliment - a take on the movie " Real Science "

As you may know, the Wrightspeed X-1 , a prototype electric roadster, can out accellerate $150000 sports cars easily.

Just because something uses an electric motor, does not mean its neccassarily poor in accelleration, or slow. As you are in Florida, I thought that the Vectrix would be a perfect match.

 

Fraser, the Vectrix has a top speed is 64 mph.

 

Ya that is it...What about a diesel Prius?

Free Post