I just purchased a new 2008 Vectrix, the first in British Columbia, Canada and certainly the only large electric bike here in Victoria. I had to go through an exhausting amount of red tape with ICBC, our provincial motor vehicle insuring and licencing agency, in order to gain approval to get it on the road here despite the fact that the Vectrix is approved by Transport Canada (which in fact has one, which they take to various events to highlight eco-friendly innovations in personal transportation). I bought it from the one and only dealer in Canada, All Season Motorsports in Calgary Alberta, and should be taking delivery in a week or so. They just had a Vectrix factory technician come to the dealership to upgrade all their bikes' software, so apparently I will have the absolute latest and greatest improvements. I made a point of asking the dealer to make sure that the main fuse was the newest version, that the charger was updated and that the fairing was bolted on properly. For that, I have all you guys to thank, as your sharing of your experiences has given me a lot of forewarning regarding potential problems with the machine.
I did think hard about buying it, in light of the likelihood of Vectrix Corporation's bankruptcy, and decided to make the purchase anyway. The electric vehicle industry won't flourish if people like me think, "Oh...I'll wait until it's more mainstream, reliable, tested et cetera". One has to take a stand at some point, and I decided that the Vectrix is just too good an idea not to support, even with the associated risks of becoming an owner at this point. Like many others on this forum, I hope that if the company does go belly-up, I'll be able to keep the bike going with the help of the many skilled, knowledgeable and helpful people on this site. So, I'm anticipating the arrival of my electric-blue Vectrix with an open mind, a hopeful spirit and a recently sold car! No more CO2 as a result of getting MY carcass around town!
You've really got balls. I love my V to bits and hope it'll go on running for a long time yet. however, if I were in the market for one at present, I'd pass.
You can read my posting in another thread that I've already been burned by embracing a new and innovative motorcycle.
Hats off to you for joining us, especially now of all times. I hope your V goes on for a long time without problems or, for the sake of us all that Vectrix gets an injection of cash or has a bail out or whatever it takes to keep the company solvent.
But for the moment, when yours arrives, enjoy the uniqueness, rarity and sheer delight of riding this outstanding vehicle.
Simon
More pollyanna-ish than ballsy, I dare say! The dealership in Calgary assured me that the Vectrix corporation's finacial situation wasn't as dire as is being made out, but what else would a dealership say? I'm prepared for annoyance, inconvenience and possible deep disappointment side by side with pleasure, satisfaction and quiet smugness. At the very least, this will be a definite learning experience in ways that I'm sure I haven't yet imagined...
You will simply adore it!
Simon
Congratulations, and I applaud your "go-for-it" attitude. I hate that the company is in trouble. I hate the prospect of being left out in the cold (although it's quite cozy here on "V" with all the worldly moral and technical support), but I don't hate at all the fact that I am an owner/rider, because I now know that in "my" world, the idea of EV transport is truly feasable and I prove it many days out of each month!
Last night I forgot to plug in my Vectrix. This morning I was pissed!! HAHA!!
When I ordered my Vectrix back in July of last year, I also paid a deposit on a Volta, and was willing to buy them both with thoughts of keeping the one I liked best and selling the other. I was riding my Vectrix within two weeks (left on vacation the day after I ordered it), and have yet to see ANY progress from the EVC (Volta) company. In fact, I cancelled my deposit way back in November because I was totally happy with the V, and have yet to be reimbursed for my "refundable" deposit. I feel way more screwed by EVC than by Vectrix!! At least I'm RIDING something!! ;-)
Many safe and happy trails to you on your new buzzbike!! :-)
Congratulations! You'll love the bike!
I too just took the plunge and bought a used 2007. Just too cool of technology to pass up. Congrats and welcome to the club.
Adam - Denver, CO
2007 Vectrix VX-1 charged with the power of the sun = zero carbon footprint
I really appreciate everyone's support! This kind of cooperation is how we'll keep these amazing machines on the road even if Vectrix corporation disappears, which I fervently hope will not be the case. But...hope for the best, prepare for the worst. When my machine arrives, I'll post my impressions and experiences with licencing, insurance and so on, just in case there's anyone else here in British Columbia thinking of getting a Vectrix.
Congratulations Victrix. Now you just have to measure for yourself if the experience of Electrons, of having a unique way of transport, of the fun and many others, compensates. In may experience it has, but i still hope i get 20.000km more from it!
Well! The Vectrix arrived yesterday and man, is it even a gorgeous machine. The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia and my local insurance agency are still scratching their collective head trying to figure out all the details of insuring it, but I'm told that it shouldn't be any problem once the equivalencies (ie: how do we rate an EV on paperwork that only has spaces for ICE specs such as cc's). I hope to have it on the road by early next week, and will post more as things firm up!
Oops! I meant "Is it EVER a gorgeous machine". And it IS!
The most common entry for CCs is 250, based on the company's own comparison of speed and power to a 250cc ICE scooter. Number of cylinders is generally listed as "one".
wow thats great i live here in windsor ontario and ive tried getting a hold of that place in alberta with no luck at all..maybe if you have a number or email so can contact them , i would love to get a hold of a vectrix...i hope you enjoy yours and drive safe
John
ICBC is trying to claim that the Vectrix 2.1 kW electric motor is the equivalent of a 700 cc ICE according to calculations that they have done, which is absurd. I directed them to the Vectrix web site, where the FAQ section states taht the Vectrix is equivalent to a 400 cc Suzuki Burgman. The Vectrix is certainly a big scooter, but I'm not going to pay excessive insurance fees based on a completely unreasonable comparison. Sheesh.
My insurance with 45% discount was 25 EUR.
Hi Wolf 3510,
The dealer in Calgary is All Season Motorsports. I found them very helpful once they realized that I was serious and not just a Vectrix "lookie-loo" (not to imply that you are!). The person to talk to is Darryl, and the phone number is (403) 204-1771.
ok thanks ill give them a shout this weekend..
It's like trying to rate the CCs of a rotary engine. The insurers really need to know the BHP at the rear wheel I reckon, then take into account the speed limiter. I had a 250cc off road bike that would see off much bigger bikes up to a certain speed, (80mph flat out.)
The V may once have had 400cc acceleration with the old software but not now. I would say it's more like a 175-200cc 4 stroke bike, I have one, and now after the downgrade the V is pretty comparable to it.
It kills me at the traffic lights when people ask, "Is it electric?" Yes, like it says on the side in 3 inch high letters. Then "What totally electric?" Yes, it's not a hybrid. Then "So how many CCs?" Haha! But I still love telling people about it.
Strange, it's nearly always NON Brits who ask me these questions. Brits, I think either don't care or don't want to acknowledge you have such an utterly cool bike, though they do take a sneaky glance when they think you're not looking.
Non Brits however, especially Italians, are totally blown away by it in London when they pull up alongside on Vespas, I mean the wonderment on their faces and enthusiasm about it is delightful.
Simon
My first question is always "How far will it go?" followed shortly by "How fast will it go?"
Always fun to talk about it anyway! :-)
oh one other thing..we expect to see alot of pictures and happy faces up here..ok..lol
In Spain Vectrix is compared and insured like a 125cc. I have a 125cc and it costs roughly the same. 110€
Man, you guys in Europe have enlightened insurers. Insuring the Vectrix here in British Columbia with our state-owned monopoly, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) is costing me $1350 annually, and they hit me with $1135 national and provincial sales tax, too. Of course, if I'd purchased a bogus hybrid car or SUV, I would have been given a 100 percent provincial sales tax rebate, but for a fully electric ZEV? No way! Honestly, our government in this country is shockingly primitive in its attitude toward alternative fuel transportation. But, what can I expect from a country whose primary source of wealth is oil production and auto manufacturing?
Rant off.
I pay~$200 insurance in Alabama throug Farmers. That includes everything. I feel for you!
Rant back on:
By the way, ICBC was adamant that the 21 kW motor in the Vectrix is the equivalent of a 700 cc gas engine according to the "formula" they have worked out, and billed/fined me accordingly. So, the Spanish say its equivalent to 125 cc, and the Canadians say 700 cc. Ludicrous! Why not just insist that it's the same as a 1500 cc Harley SmogHog and bill me $2500 a year for the insurance? Good way to scam some extra money out of your captive client base...
We ain't seen nothin yet. Just wait until the government figures out it's not getting any gas tax money off these things!! Shhhhhhhhhh....:-)
Registered mine today, the local authority classified it as a 61cc...
$100 a yr to reg (includes compulsory injury insurance)
stamp duty was $125
No road tax is required in my country for electric vehicles.
Mandatory insurance (23.5 EUR) + 6 EUR registration = 30 EUR in total.
Victrix, 21kw is only the peak power, they have to use the nominal power which is??? 10kw??
In the Spaish registration Card it clearly puts 3.8kw nominal power, but i think its a confusion!
R knows abit more about this!
My COC also states 3.8kW and that's why I didn't have to pay VAT when I imported the bike :-)
"...21kw is only the peak power, they have to use the nominal power which is??? 10kw??"
You would think this would be the case, but ICBC, in cahoots with Transport Canada, can decide anything they want. They decided that the Vectrix is a 21 kW electric cash cow that only wealthy eco-boomers will buy, and they are charging accordingly (pardon the pun). *Ka-chinggg!*
Shhht!
3.8KW is the nominal Power of vectrix. No confusion. End of discusion, Rady.....
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