q electric expresso pi hybrid scooter
has anyone driven one of these?available only at northerntool.com
You mean this one?
I have not seen this scooter before but it sounds like a good idea. I could not find any information about how it is charged. It is a plug-in so at least you can start with a full charge but I did not see if it gets a charge when the engine is in use. also 25 milers on a charge sounds like a lot considering the amount of room for batteries I would doubt this range, more like 10 to 12 miles I would guess.
I would also like to know here it is made. Time for some research.
Grandpa Chas S.
No mention on the gas motor charging the batteries, so more of a gas or electric than a prius style hybrid. I have toyed with the idea of a front hub motor on small gas scooter. At least you could get home in case of dead batteries. Maybe regen could charge the pack some. Given the problems posted with some of the scooters, I'm glad I have real simple hub motors on my bikes.
What is the point of the hybrid scooter? Just get the moped Northern sells, with the difference in cost you can get enough gasoline for the moped to go 60,000 miles! Plus the hybrid system makes the bike more complicated, meaning it will probably break sooner and be harder to fix. Anyways the moped is already a Hybrid, Human/ICE powered :)
Deron.
What is the point of the hybrid scooter?
Enhancing sales. Cool may sell better than works.
But I think the main battery charge is plug into outlet...from what the page states. Interesting....wonder if you can change power modes on the fly. Cause you'd probably want the gas to climb hills...and need to switch on the go.
And I guess when you're on "auto" and you go down a hill the gas is going to kick in everytime when you probably won't need it since you'll coast fast enough to get to the needed mph for the gas...unless you put it in full electric mode at that point...hmmmm. But sounds like a fairly smart design anyway. Hope someone buys one here and can tell us how it performs.
Gushar
Gets more interesting. I sure can't afford a prius.
seems like a great idea but at 2500 dont want to be a guinea pig,got burned with the emax,vespa has a hybrid in the works but thats probably at least 5000,let me know if you get any info,the q all electric scooters look lame and no mention of the hybrid on there website