The Providence Police Department launched a three-month trial of the all-electric Vectrix Maxi scooter, kicking off the pilot with a test-drive at the Providence Public Safety Complex. The scooters can go as far as 60 miles on a single charge, thanks in part to their patented regenerative braking system, Middletown-based Vectrix says on its Web site. They can be charged in 3 to 5 hours using standard household current, and can achieve a top speed of 62 miles per hour. The Vectrix Maxi’s virtual silence, emissions-free operation, low energy costs and minimal maintenance requirements make the vehicle ideal for an urban environment, company and city officials said today. Over the course of a year, they noted, a 400cc gasoline-fueled motorcycle would emit about two tons of carbon dioxide. Providence is the third city in the United States to host a pilot program featuring the battery-powered vehicles.
– from www.pbn.com www.vectrix.com