Vectrix Electric Maxiscooter (AA patrol)

The Vectrix was the first electric maxiscooter, with a limited top speed of 100kph (62mph). The company was founded in 1996 and based in New England, USA but the scooters were built in Poland. The machine was great to ride with many useful attributes including excellent regenerative braking operated by twisting the throttle away from you, and also a reverse gear, operated the same way, at parking speed. Unfortunately the range was poor due to the limitations of the NiCad batteries.
The company went bust to the tune of at least $100million by 2010, but was bought by a Chinese battery company and quickly revived, complete with a Lithium battery option and a top speed increased to nearly 70mph. There was also a smaller, lightweight VX1 scooter, equivalent to a 125. Sadly, the Vectrix Mk2 company went bust a couple of years later.
A Vectrix could've been the first 'quick and dirty' electric FF, converted in a similar way to the ComforTmaxes. It could still be done – there are plenty of second hand ones around if you know where to look.
A modified Vectrix, full of lithium batteries, was one of three electric machines that went around the world in 80 days, in the 'Zero Race' of 2010-2011 alongside the winning DesignWerk ZeroTracer and a Vectrix-based trike. See here: http://bikeweb.com/node/2807
PNB
Photo: © Paul Blezard 2011

Vectrix Electric Maxiscooter (AA patrol)