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Wednesday, March 26, 2008
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Matthew Hair of Vectrix demonstrates the electric cycle at a Chamber of Commerce "green" conference at the Cira Centre. (Photo by Inquirer staff photographer Akira Suwa)
Last November, I wrote about the Philadelphia debut of an all-electric motorcycle, the Vectrix. The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce showcased it at a “green” confab. The story is here.

Now, the company has announced its first Pennsylvania dealer, Montgomery Cycle Center in Hatfield. The center is  offering “test rides” today through Saturday.

The Vectrix sure perked up a few visitors to the Chamber event last November. They were intrigued by the specs.  It’s supposed to reach a speed of 62 miles an hour and has a range of maybe 55 miles, depending on how fast you drive.

All of this with no emissions from the bike itself, although of course there would be emissions associated with whatever energy source provides the juice for the charges.

And it has some great slogans, like "Electric power. Shocking performance."

This is just one of a new fleet of eco-vehicles, including the new smart car and the Segway personal transporter. I can’t wait to see what manufacturers come out with next!

Meanwhile, at last November's event I put on a helmet and took a spin around the block around the perimeter of 30th Street Station perched behind Vectrix employee Matthew Hair. The bike ran so quietly that we could talk in normal voices.

And at the end, unlike my first and only other motorcycle ride more than 30 years ago, I didn’t burn my leg because there was no hot exhaust pipe.

Posted by Sandy Bauers @ 9:19 AM  Permalink | 3 comments
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:16 AM, 03/26/2008
    Very cool
    Drumbo
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:20 PM, 03/26/2008
    This could be my eco-answer to a Vespa, which look soooo cool in Italy!
    Bgreen
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:43 PM, 03/26/2008
    Better than a car. Now if only the Septa stations were safer (there was yet another attack today, the man died at 13th & Market st at 2pm!!),public transportation could be another green alternative.
    tulipwalk


3 comments
About Sandy Bauers
Sandy Bauers is the environment reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, where she has worked for more than 20 years as a reporter and editor. She lives in northern Chester County with her husband, two cats, a large vegetable garden and a flock of pet chickens.

GreenSpace - her column about how to reduce your carbon footprint in everyday life - appears every other Monday in Health & Science.

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