UK Courier Company Buys Two Vectrix Electric Scooters

28 August 2007

Lewis Day, a UK car and courier company, has purchased two Vectrix electric maxi-scooters (earlier post) for its London courier collection and delivery service.

Lewis Day already has a fleet of 100 hybrid cars operating in the UK, but the Vectrix allows them to offer viable green transport for their increasingly expanding courier services in London.

The Maxi-Scooter combines a 3.7 kWh Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery pack and a 20 kW electric motor that delivers 65 Nm (48 lb-ft) torque. The battery pack is designed for up to 1,700 full charging cycles. Recharge time is about two hours.

The scooter also uses a throttle-activated regenerative braking system to capture some of the braking energy. The all-digital throttle also controls a slow-speed reverse function.

The scooter offers a top speed of 62 mph and a range of about 68 miles (110 km) at 25 mph (40 kph). Acceleration from 0-60 mph takes 5.8 seconds.

In July, a number of Vectrix maxi-scooters ran in the GreenFleet Capital Fuel Challenge in London. Each participant planned their own 30 mile route through London collecting four packages at predetermined checkpoints. Upon return, the vehicles will be independently tested for fuel economy. The winners will receive their TFL Greenfleet award at the GreenFleet Awards on 6 September in London.