Comments on: I Want My Piaggio MP3e

By: jcwinnie

jcwinnie — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 14:18:30 +0000

Demo You Tube Video

By: Mature, Well-developed Electric Vehicle at After Gutenberg

Mature, Well-developed Electric Vehicle at After Gutenberg — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 18:29:54 +0000

[...] All in all, this is an electric vehicle worthy of serious consideration for certain applications, e.g., pizza delivery in Portland. While, perhaps not “an EV enthusiast’s prayer”, it is lightweight and has superb aerodynamics… oh, and a Zilla controller, which gets a nod from many an EV enthusiast. And, two front drive wheels is the recommended design for best stability from a non-tilting three-wheeler. [...]

By: Micah

Micah — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 00:28:22 +0000

The EV rights to this 3-wheel MP3 design were purchased by Vectrix. http://www.vectrixeurope.com.

Vetrix is powering its first scooter with a Brushless DC, radial air-gap motor – 20 kW peak power at 3000 rpm – Max Current 275 Amps – Max Torque 65 Nm. With a Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery, 30 Ah, 3.7 kW-h, 1.5kW on-board battery charger, 2 hour recharge time.

Hopefully the EV version of the MP3 comes out soon!

By: jcwinnie

jcwinnie — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 23:55:07 +0000

Made in China, as a description for manufacture of electric scooters, is a bit broad. According to Mike Millikin, there are 1,400 electric bike producers in China, with a combined annual output of 6 million units.

By: jcwinnie

jcwinnie — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 20:02:08 +0000

While lithium polymer is ideal for scoots, there is a place for other battery technologies if sufficiently specific power (>200 W/kg) is achievable to satisfy demanding applications such as electric vehicles. For instance, Oxygen employs zinc-nickel batteries in its MB80 Cargo/Utility model. Oxygen claims a range of 60 miles or more from the large (4 X12V) 48V Evercel battery pack that offers over 64aH. The MB50 offers 40aH version of the same battery. The E.O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory at UC Berkeley developed and patented zinc-nickel batteries, which were recently improved by reduction in weight of the pasted, nickel hydroxide electrode. Texas e-Rider reports that, in the Netherlands, the Dominoes pizza chain operates a fleet of over 100 of these Oxygen Cargo/Utility e-scooters. Electric-Scooter-World.com reports that the steel frame scooter weighs 240 pounds with the batteries. The wheel size is 10" x 3", which means it can accelerate more quickly, but has a lower top speed, than a scooter with 12" wheels. Top speed is about 28-29 mph. Smaller tires also can mean a rougher ride; the MB50 / MB80 suspension is a hydraulic fork front suspension and a coil-over shock rear suspension. Integrated with hydraulic front disc, rear drum brakes, regenerative braking increases its range. Other features an 1.8 kW motor with two speeds; twist throttle; on board charger; dual seat; full complement of street equipment, and security from a steering column lock and pass card.