E-mopeds to win over e-bikes?
- Thread starter flecc
- Start date
This is a summary of the legal position:
Moped licence
A moped is defined as a vehicle that must not exceed 30mph, weigh more than 250kg or have an engine over 50cc. The definition for machines registered before 1 September 1977, also includes its propulsion by pedals. You can ride a moped at 16 years old on a provisional motorcycle licence with moped entitlement. You must complete CBT (compulsory basic training), the theory test and the practical moped test to get a full moped licence.
So as I posted above, one can ride for two years maximum on a provisional licence without taking any tests.
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I don't know anything about that David. Not if it's anything like some of the concessions for eco cars which big 4 x 4s get but e-bikes don't.
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The Vectrix is a BIG bike though.......saw these while over at ETS in London last year, some one was test driving it while I was there. The other more compact scooters looked more appealing to me but obviously smaller range. The vectrix was expensive @ around £6000 I thought.
I thought that, the size and price of a maxi scoot with the speed of a Honda Dylan. Not the best combination.
But somewhat better future batteries could change the size and price, giving Vectrix style performance with a more average moped size.
In fact I don't think people need that 60 mph performance for the usual commuting use, a genuine 40 mph ability and decent hill climbing is probably enough, those alone enabling a smaller size.
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You don't have to wait 10 years to get a long range moped with reasonable performance, you can get a petrol driven one now for less than the cost of a mid range e-bike
Direct Bikes Moped - Buy 125cc and 50cc (49cc) Mopeds Direct
I think that most of the people buying the next generation e-mopeds in ten years time are the people that would be buying petrol driven mopeds now. There's a market for e-bikes despite the availability of cheap mopeds at the moment, and I don't think a change of power source will make much difference.
I have thought of another potential threat to part of the e-bike market, mobility scooters. At the moment they're big heavy things, but if battery technology allowed light weight folding models that could easily be carried in cars, on public transport, up escalators etc, then they could become the vehicle of choice for the refuse-to-pedal brigade (if they're not already). Especially if European style pedelec only rules are enforced for e-bikes.
Direct Bikes Moped - Buy 125cc and 50cc (49cc) Mopeds Direct
I think that most of the people buying the next generation e-mopeds in ten years time are the people that would be buying petrol driven mopeds now. There's a market for e-bikes despite the availability of cheap mopeds at the moment, and I don't think a change of power source will make much difference.
I have thought of another potential threat to part of the e-bike market, mobility scooters. At the moment they're big heavy things, but if battery technology allowed light weight folding models that could easily be carried in cars, on public transport, up escalators etc, then they could become the vehicle of choice for the refuse-to-pedal brigade (if they're not already). Especially if European style pedelec only rules are enforced for e-bikes.
Funny you should mention that but just by chance (A steering failure necessitated a walk across London) I happened across an electric vehicle exhibition at Boris' office in Potters Fields. Among the bizarre, dull and Lotus electric cars was a moped stand which had small mopeds with the same performance as the Vetrix at lower prices. They looked pretty good, but still not as cheap as a petrol scooter.
Welcome to E-City Wheels
They still didn't have anything that could cover my commute but he did say that a removable battery was on it's way, it will cost a fair bit more though. He was also the first person apart from Torrent99 who recognised my bike as a Wisper.
I feel I'm missing something here. Why would you buy electric when you could have just as much fun with an infernal combustion engine at a fraction of the cost.
No halo though!I feel I'm missing something here. Why would you buy electric when you could have just as much fun with an infernal combustion engine at a fraction of the cost.
No road tax fee on e-mopeds either, plus free parking where motorcycles pay and in some places free charging.
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Just 'cos you gave up motorbikes.......!No halo though!
No road tax fee on e-mopeds either, plus free parking where motorcycles pay and in some places free charging.
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(Miaow!)
Rog.
No jealously though. Those savings aren't big, £15 road tax on a smelly moped, and the weekly m/c parking charge is low where it applies. The halo is probably the best bit, plus the fright jay walking pedestrians can be given!
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And that Halo is a fake.
No jealously though. Those savings aren't big, £15 road tax on a smelly moped, and the weekly m/c parking charge is low where it applies. The halo is probably the best bit, plus the fright jay walking pedestrians can be given!
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Plus, I bet the motors attract mad dogs.
True, I know my e-bikes do. Wood pigeons hate the motor sound too. When afternoon roosting alongside the country lanes they take no notice of the noisiest ic engine traffic but take off in fright as I approach.I bet the motors attract mad dogs.
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some things that i fell would be an advantage would be
no wine to wake up kids and neighbours.
no trips to petrol station couple o quid for 100 miles power.
fun lot's of biker review said how much they loved the Vectrix because of it's torque and it 0 > 50 in 5.6 seconds one gear
and i like the idea
YouTube - The 2009 Zero S Electric Motorcycle on a Track
no wine to wake up kids and neighbours.
no trips to petrol station couple o quid for 100 miles power.
fun lot's of biker review said how much they loved the Vectrix because of it's torque and it 0 > 50 in 5.6 seconds one gear
and i like the idea
YouTube - The 2009 Zero S Electric Motorcycle on a Track
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