Guys,
I managed to blag a test ride on a new Vectrix electric scooter today and I must say I'm impresssed and it has me thinking.
The scoot is a fairly large affair, about the same as a 400 Burgman or a TMAX so were not talking about a moped sized machine.
Top speed is about 60mph and it reaches this fairly quickly, not compared with a 500cc scooter but certainly equivalent to a 250 or thereabouts.
The electric motor and a planetary reduction gear are installed in the rear hub, the lower part of the frame is filled with the very expensive battery pack and it carries an onboard 1.5kw charger. The motor is rated at 20 kw peak output and this is the reason for the good acceleration.
In common with other maxi-scooters there is an underseat storage bin that can swallow a full face helmet and in this case quite a bit more too.
So what's the interest to a diesel biker then?
Well I was thinking about installing a diesel generator set, either under the seat; in place of the rear seat or even in a trailer for those longer journeys (nice trip to Hamm for example). The only problem would be setting up the system to accept charge whilst in drive mode!
The real downside is the cost - nearly 7 grand in UK pounds (near as dammit 14 grand USD) and at some point the expensive battery pack will need replacing.
Thoughts and comments on this dumb idea?
Vectric Electric scooter - possibilities.......
Moderators: Dan J, Diesel Dave, Crazymanneil, Stuart
-
Diesel Dave
- Site Admin
- Posts: 1016
- Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2006 1:21 am
- Location: Essex, UK
- Contact:
-
andrewaust
- Site Admin
- Posts: 719
- Joined: Mon Dec 04, 2006 12:24 pm
- Location: Australia
- Contact:
Hi Dave
I think it is a rather good idea mate! Basically you want to make a diesel electric scooter. I have thought about the same concept using a 2 cylinder diesel in something like a BMW frame, bolting a rather powerful generator that would be similar to the ones bolted to the small hybrid cars. A 3 cylinder diesel would probably be to long to fit a required gen behind it and still have room, some other frames might be long enough though.
The hub motor is the other good idea! No power loss through drive transfer, and if sorted properly the diesel engine could be set to run at its best economical, and torque capabilities.
20 Kilowatts equals around 26-27hp, so the gen/diesel unit would have to be small enough to slot in there, and would have to be smaller in hp. It should still work OK if you don't mind it accelerating a little slower.
Keep on with it Dave - don't think its a silly/stupid idea, because I think its a good one
I'm sure others on this group will think the same.
I'm guessing the future motorcycle will be electric powered, good for some, but what about large distances! "Diesel Electric maybe?"
Cheers
Andrew
I think it is a rather good idea mate! Basically you want to make a diesel electric scooter. I have thought about the same concept using a 2 cylinder diesel in something like a BMW frame, bolting a rather powerful generator that would be similar to the ones bolted to the small hybrid cars. A 3 cylinder diesel would probably be to long to fit a required gen behind it and still have room, some other frames might be long enough though.
The hub motor is the other good idea! No power loss through drive transfer, and if sorted properly the diesel engine could be set to run at its best economical, and torque capabilities.
20 Kilowatts equals around 26-27hp, so the gen/diesel unit would have to be small enough to slot in there, and would have to be smaller in hp. It should still work OK if you don't mind it accelerating a little slower.
Keep on with it Dave - don't think its a silly/stupid idea, because I think its a good one
I'm sure others on this group will think the same.I'm guessing the future motorcycle will be electric powered, good for some, but what about large distances! "Diesel Electric maybe?"
Cheers
Andrew