The BMW C1 is back... TO THE FUTURE!

We've been getting LOTS of excited emails on this HOT scoop from green.AutoBlog's Jeremy Korzeniewski.  He's got a full line of pretty images and some details on the possible return of the BMW C1 in the form of the C1-E concept.  My first response is "PLEASE be more than just a concept!"  followed shortly by a "PLEASE come to the USA!".

I'm pretty sure BMW is going to hold this card until we see some battery tech improvements coupled with a couple of years of skyrocketing gas prices.  The C1 was a GREAT, proven feat of engineering from a safety standpoint.  There were only few minor flaws with the old design; slightly poky performance, a tad bit top-heavy & wind prone and a hefty sticker price.  The only MAJOR flaw from BMW was hoping that UK safety departments would bend the rules to allow C1 commuters to ride without a helmet... that never passed, so charging people the extra loot and not offering a solution for helmet hair proved fatal to the C1, living only two years before vanishing from showroom floors.

Thanks to Grant and Fred for being the first two to serve up that fresh scoop!

I'd love to experience the return of the dream (as seen below)

I may end up having to settle for THIS instead.

An old icon meets a new movement - The Honda EV-Cub

To go with our deep-fried Snickers donut and triple shot of organic wheatgrass this morning our friend Akisan gives us this to munch on... the Honda announcement of their plans for the 41st Annual Tokyo Motor show (Oct 24 - Nov 4).  There's the normal amount of car and motorcycle stuff, but buried in that list of sportbikes, cruisers and cars is a special little treat... the EV-Cub concept.  See it there in the image?  Right there in the middle next to the Honda omnidirectional segway styled unicycle the UX-3?  All clean and white and red?  We're probably still two or three battery technology generations away from them actually producing the EV-Cub, but it's nice to imagine. 

The EV-Cub concept is part of Honda's HELLO! (Honda Electric mobility Loop) Zone at TMS 2009, which features many of Honda's latest green technological developments including zero CO2 vehicles powered by solar and hydrogen generated electricity.

Another electric scooter concept on display was the EVE-neo (below), which looks like it's ready for the road.  Details on this baby are scarce at this time, but we're certain to have more specs and photos in the coming weeks.


Honda says to also expect the PCX 125 to show up as well as "other" items.  We'll keep you posted! Arigato once again to Aki for the scoop!

The electric car floodgates have been opened!

Wow!  Today Obama is announcing $2.4 billion in electric car funding to help the U.S. become a leader in plug-in vehicles.  You can read Jim Tankersley's whole story here, but in summary, $1.5 billion alone will go toward producing advanced batteries and an additional $500 million would fund drive train R&D for electric cars.  The remaining $400 million would purchase and support thousands of electric vehicles to serve as demo models.

They estimate this set of grants will blossom into tens of thousands of new manufacturing jobs right here in the good ol' US of A.

Now, I hope they give these grants to light weight, hungry, up-in-comers like Aptera and Tesla and not just blow it to cover bonuses for the CEOs at the old bailout shops (I'm talking to you GM and Chrysler... you've already gotten your $100+ billion in bailout money, so I'm already expecting something special from you.  How about a car that runs on carbon from the atmosphere and spits out ice-cold bottled water from the exhaust pipe?  Chop-chop!)

Berlusconi arrives at G8 in a green machine

(No, not THIS green machine, but the one you see in the video.)

What happens when Ducati starts making electric vehicles (the Eco Buggy)? They get Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to arrive at the G8 summit in one, that's what. Check out Hayley Platt's report (seen above).

It's no 2 ton, bullet-proof Bugatti limo, but it get's the job done, eh?

Vectrix tightening the belt a bit

Today, Michael Boyle, CEO and President of the Vectrix Corporation sent out a memo to their current dealer base informing them of "recent changes to our field staff and internal corporate support organization".  It appears that, like most other vehicle manufacturers, Vectrix is implementing a cut back strategy to protect itself in the current economic environment.  With Vectrix marketing a more expensive scooter in these times of $2 a gallon gas, I imagine Vectrix has felt the post 2008 gas spike like no other scooter manufacturer even with the increased green awareness the country is feeling.

Despite the cutback announcement, Vectrix went on to reassure current dealers that they will continue to receive the same high level of support from the company during these lean times, and that dealers should continue to keep they're eyes out for the new VX2

Vectrix is still actively seeking new dealers around the country.  We're hoping they can hang in there at least until after the current oil glut runs dry and demand begins to pick back up.

Vectrix expands its line-up with 2 new scooters!

(The flagship VX-1, introduced in 2007 get's some new graphics)



(The VX-1E is the economy version of the VX-1 at $8,495)


(The VX-2 is expected in June with an MSRP of $5,195)
Images courtesy of our friends at Ripley Radio.  Thanks a bunch!

Vectrix has come out the gate at today's NY Motorcycle Show with a pair of new zero emission scooters for 2009.  Today's electric vehicle market has experienced some what of a whiplash from the roller coaster oil market.  Fortunately for them, the oil coaster is slowly climbing another hill.  Will it touch the $3.00/gal mark again?  Who knows?  But Vectrix, the green leaders in the scooter field, are ready to roll when they do.

Here's the press release (I've trimmed it up a bit and sprinkled on a tiny bit of feedback):
New York, N.Y. - January 18, 2009 - Vectrix Corporation (www.vectrix.com), the world leader in Personal Electric Vehicles, has debuted its entry-level VX-2 and the VX-1E urban commuting model at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show in the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Alongside the flagship VX-1, the new models round out the company's family of electric vehicles, which will help make 100 percent electric vehicles available to a broader consumer base.

VX-2 is a smaller and more compact electric equivalent of a 50cc internal combustion engine (ICE) bike with a weight of 429 pounds (whew, power of a Yamaha C3 with the weight of a Yamaha Majesty) , a wheelbase of 54.5 inches and seat height of 29.9 inches. It features a 40-50 mile range (hey!  That's pretty good!), 30-mph speed capability (Ewwww, I wish it was 45), a 48V/20A battery charger that plugs into a standard 110V/220V outlet and safe, near-silent operation.

"It's the perfect choice to replace cars for short urban trips," said Mike Boyle, Vectrix CEO. "The shortest car trips are the most damaging in terms of global warming, air pollution and our dependence on foreign oil."

Available in green, blue, red, yellow and white, VX-2 is expected to arrive at dealers in June 2009 with an MSRP of $5,195.

Another new addition to Vectrix's family of Personal Electric Vehicles, VX-1E uses the same platform and drive train as the original VX-1, yet features a lower price point and a more urban commuter driver profile with slightly less acceleration and top speed. VX-1E is expected to arrive at dealers in April, and the MSRP is $8,495.

As part of the company's drive to make electric vehicles available to a wider range of consumers, Vectrix also plans to announce a new line of accessories for its VX-1 and VX-1E—including a lower, narrower seat to accommodate riders with smaller frames.

"One of the most important new accessories in the 2009 catalogue is an optional seat that is significantly lower and shaped to give riders with a smaller frame the ability to place both feet on the ground at each stop," Boyle said.

Other new options include a sport windshield about 7 inches lower than standard for riders who like the feel of wind in their face, and a winter windshield nearly 9 inches wider than standard that offers additional protection from wind and insects. Lastly, a new center stand offers more convenient parking and raises the rear tire off the ground for easy tire maintenance.

Vectrix's original Personal Electric Vehicle, the VX-1, was first introduced in 2007 as an eco-friendly, zero emission and powerful alternative for commuting and recreational needs. The 2009 VX-1 will have refreshing new graphics in four colors: white/burgundy red, white/metallic silver, white/sapphire blue and white/acid green.

The VX-1 weighs in at 515 pounds, has a 60-inch wheelbase and 30-inch seat height. It is highway legal, with a top speed of 62 mph, acceleration from 0-50 mph in 6.8 seconds, and an average range of 30-55 miles on a single charge.

All vehicles in the Vectrix family are 100 percent electric — no gas, no oil and no emissions — and feature minimal maintenance and simple operation. In 2008, Vectrix saw 321 percent growth in its distribution network, and now has the largest dealer network of any electric vehicle in the country.

"The success of the Vectrix dealer network shows consumers are ready for new commuting alternatives," Boyle said. "Vectrix appeals to men and women of all ages, and our new accessories make the VX-1 available to everyone looking for good clean fun."

About Vectrix Corporation
Vectrix Corporation was formed in 1996 to develop and commercialize zero emission vehicle platform technologies focused on two-wheel applications. The single focus of Vectrix has been to provide clean, efficient, reliable and affordable urban transportation. Vectrix two-wheel zero emission vehicles currently are being marketed to consumers and government fleets. Vectrix Corporation has headquarters in Middletown, R.I., engineering and test facilities in New Bedford, Mass., sales offices in the UK and production facilities in Wroclaw, Poland.

Toyota now officially in the "Segway" business for 2010

Our friend Aki in Japan gives us this scoop.  Toyota has announced that they will be selling 25 of the Toyota Winglets in 2009 to be used in large factories, parks and airports.  The price is around $3,500 US and it will weigh 22lbs.  Don't look for large scale production until around 2010.  Go here for the story on MSN Japan.