Vectrix

Not to be confused with Vectrex.
Vectrix electric scooter
Manufacturer Vectrix
Class Electric scooter
Engine Brushless DC motor
Top speed 109 km/h (68 mph)
Power 20.2 kW (27.1 hp) peak; 7 kW (9.4 hp) continuous [1]
Torque 65 N·m (48 lb·ft)
Transmission Rear wheel planetary gear drive
Brakes Front and rear Brembo disc
Tires Front: 120/70 14
Rear: 140/60 13
Wheelbase 1,525 mm (60.0 in)
Seat height 770 mm (30 in)
Weight 210 kg (460 lb)[1] (dry)
Fuel capacity 3.7 kWh NiMH

Vectrix was an electric vehicle company based in Middletown, Rhode Island, United States, with research and development facilities in New Bedford, Massachusetts and an assembly plant in Wrocław, Poland.[2] Vectrix ceased all US operations as of December 31, 2013.[3] The company filed for bankruptcy and final liquidation in March 2014.[4]

Scooters

Introduced in 2006, the Vectrix VX-1 was a maxi-size scooter, and was the first commercially available high performance electric scooter.[5] It was capable of over 60 mph (97 km/h) and 50 mph (80 km/h) was reached in a little under 7 seconds, with maximum torque available from 0 rpm, a characteristic of electric motors. It has under 250 parts, compared with 2,500 for a conventionally powered scooter, and has a range of up to 65 miles (105 km) at 25 mph (40 km/h).

Red VX-1 in San Francisco, February 2016

In the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands and Slovenia, the Vectrix is exempt from paying road tax.[6]

The Vectrix scooter uses NiMH batteries with a manufacturer-claimed life of 10 years and 1,500 recharges.[7] The 125 volt battery pack has a capacity of 3.7 kW·h and can be recharged to 80% in two hours from a standard domestic power socket. The battery can also be partially recharged through regenerative braking.[8] Replacement cost of the battery is estimated to be around $3,000, almost one third of the cost of the bike.

In June 2008, Vectrix indicated that it planned to test Lithium Ion battery packs based on lithium iron phosphate battery technology, in an agreement with GP Batteries International Limited of Hong Kong.[9]

In the fall of 2008, Vectrix announced an expanded product line with two lower-priced bikes: The VX-1E was projected to arrive March 2009 with the VX-2 following in June 2009. Pre-production models of both bikes were shown at the New York International Motorcycle Show in January 2009 and also at Birmingham Motor Show, but they never entered production due to the company ceasing trading.

Concept vehicles

The electric superbike on display at the EICMA 2007 in Milan

Vectrix showed a 125 mph (201 km/h) superbike concept vehicle at the 2007 Milan motorcycle show, to be produced if 500 deposits were received.[10] In 2012 New Vectrix (re)-unveiled the super bike prototype at the SWISS-MOTO 2012 show in Zürich, Switzerland, announcing that they are taking orders and may produce the bike with as little as 200 pre-orders.[11] In 2008, Vectrix announced a 3-wheeled version of the Vectrix Maxi scooter.[12]

Testing by prospective users

The New York City Police Department announced in December 2007 that it will be testing vehicles from Vectrix with the goal of replacing its current gasoline-powered scooters.[13][14]

The Government of Canada purchased in August 2008 a vehicle from Vectrix with the goal of testing and evaluating a fully electric compliant open motorcycle's energy consumption, range, and additional road testing parameters. This environmental initiative is part of Transport Canada’s ecoTECHNOLOGY for Vehicles (eTV) program.[15][16]

First Bankruptcy and Reorganization

In July 2009 Vectrix Corporation laid off all but essential staff, this followed several months of announcements of financial problems.[17][18] Analysis of corporate financial results showed the company listed expenses for each bike sold larger than the income earned. On September 28, 2009 the company announced a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in Delaware and that a New Vectrix might buy the assets of Vectrix to recapitalize a new company. In late 2009 its assets were sold to Gold Peak battery group allowing the company to relaunch.[19]

New Vectrix

For much of 2010 the company rehired old and new staff and began supporting old owners with issues again. As 2011 rolled around Vectrix introduced the VX-2[20][21] and the VX-1 Li/Li+[22] into the product line showing at some shows and updated on their website.[23] The VX-1 Li is the same as the original bike but using lithium batteries of 30-amp hour capacity, for similar range and performance in a lighter bike. The Li+ has a 42-amp hour capacity giving greater range. The VX-2 is designed as a smaller, lighter and less expensive version of the original bike for those who don't need freeway speeds or the weight of the original. Though it has similar range to the original its top speed is less than half, but so is the price. In 2012, Vectrix entered into a distribution agreement with Peirspeed to distribute Vectrix electric scooters in the U.S.[24]

Loss of European Distributors

In October 2013, Vectrix lost its French distributor Italmotori after allegations of failing to ship scooters, batteries, and scooter parts required for repairs under warranty.[25][26] In addition, in November 2013 a French automotive magazine after confirming that Italmotori was the third distributor (after Euromotor and Vectrix France) to cease representing Vectrix, reported that Vectrix appeared to be abandoning two models, its VX-1 and VX-3.[27] A dealer in Portugal, Fuel Free Motors, asserts that they still will offer support for Vectrix scooters.[28]

Shutdown of US operations, Final Bankrutpcy Filing and Liquidation

In January 2014 Vectrix ceased all US operations.[3] After numerous manufacturing problems resulting in failed batteries and nonfunctioning scooters, Vectrix's parent company Gold Peak, a Chinese battery manufacturer, decided to close down Vectrix's US facilities.[3] Vectrix intended to maintain its Poland fabrication plant in order to continue to supply parts for its joint venture with Daimler's Smart division.[3]

In March 2014 Vectrix filed for bankruptcy again, this time under Chapter 7 for liquidation of the company. The court filings indicated assets of between $1 and $10 million and liabilities of between $10 and $50 million.[29] The bankruptcy trustee announced an auction of the company's remaining assets, including unsold scooters, parts, and lithium batteries, to take place in June 2014.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 "Electric Blue". The Riders Digest (Issue No. 121). October 2007. p. 43.
  2. ↑ "Company Background". Vectrix Corp. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Vectrix cierra sus puertas". Region Digital.com. January 4, 2014. Retrieved 2014-01-20.
  4. 1 2 [news release] (May 9, 2014). "Electric motorcycle maker Vectrix files bankruptcy, assets to be auctioned". Powersports Business. Retrieved 2014-01-23.
  5. ↑ Susie Mesure (1 August 2006). "Vectrix electric scooter: Power to the planet". London: The Independent. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  6. ↑ "UK Road Tax Exemptions". UK government.
  7. ↑ "Rated—Vectrix Electric Scooter". Greener Machine. June 1, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  8. ↑ "New Vectrix could break new ground for commuters". The Times. London. 4 May 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
  9. ↑ "REG-Vectrix Corporation Interim Results - Part 1". June 30, 2008.
  10. ↑ Angus Farquhar (November 7, 2007). "Milan show: Vectrix 125mph electric superbike concept". Motorcycle News. Retrieved 2007-12-16.
  11. ↑ "VECTRIX Announces Re-Energized Electric Super Bike at SWISS-MOTO 2012".
  12. ↑ "Vectrix Electric 3-Wheeler". How Stuff Works. 23 July 2008.
  13. ↑ "NYPD to road test electric scooters". Associated Press. December 26, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-12-28. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  14. ↑ Tom Hays (December 20, 2007). "NYPD tests Vectrix electric scooters". BusinessWeek. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  15. ↑ http://www.tc.gc.ca/eTV
  16. ↑ Transport Canada ecoTECHNOLOGY for Vehicles Program Vectrix Test Results, October 2008
  17. ↑ Emery, C. Eugene, Jr. (16 July 2009). "Vectrix lays off workers, faces bankruptcy". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
  18. ↑ Associated Press (16 July 2009). "RI electric scooter maker lays off workers". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
  19. ↑ Garthwaite, Josie (12 Feb 2010). "They're Baaaaack: Vectrix Readies for Another Go at Electric Scooters". GigaOM. Retrieved 2011-06-22.
  20. ↑ Vectrix VX-2 on www.vectrix.com
  21. ↑ Vectrix VX-2 on vectrixeurope.com
  22. ↑ Vectrix VX-1 Li Plus on vectrixeurope.com
  23. ↑ "Vectrix Wins "European e-Scooter of the Year" Awards for Both the VX-1 Li/Li+ and VX-2". Press release. Vectrix. May 6, 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-02
  24. ↑ "Vectrix" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 15, 2013.
  25. ↑ Thomas Groussin (October 2013). "Vectrix : à nouveau sans importateur en France !". Scooterinfos.com. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  26. ↑ Torregosa, Michael (October 30, 2013). "Scooters électriques Vectrix – Italmotori dénonce les problèmes de SAV". Avem. Retrieved 2014-01-11. Italmotori jette l’éponge et dénonce les nombreux problèmes (Italmotori threw in the sponge, and denounced the numerous problems [with Vectrix]: . . . . scooters immobilisés, garanties en suspens, scooters non livrés…
  27. ↑ "Vectrix disparaît de France et abandonne le VX1 et le VX3 !". Auto Orange. November 6, 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  28. ↑ "Fuel Free Motors".
  29. ↑ David Harris (March 31, 2014). "New Bedford electric scooter company Vectrix files for bankruptcy". Boston Business Journal. Retrieved 2014-01-23.
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