Small Electric Vehicle: Reason to Be Suspicious
Here’s the small, all-electric Scoot. Not sure about this one. First, it’s not good to see contradictory language. In the same ad, it claims its range is:
“roughly 40 miles,” “a 125 mile journey,” and “cruising range approx. 100km (62 miles)”
As far as top speed: “a top speed of 25 mph,” and “it has a top speed of 56 mph”
But the real issue is that it doesn’t exist, and some may find that to be a considerable drawback. The ad says it “will seat two people” (not “seats two people”). And, get this: “actual design, specifications and equipment may change.”
Doh!
Craig,
Hmmm,…. You really don’t keep up with the times do you?
The vehicle in the photo seems to be a Renault/Nissan Twizy. The vehicle was first revealed 10 years ago at the Frankfurt Motor Show and has been in mass production for more than 9 years!
With total sales of over 25,000, this two seat electric car is an example of the sort of thinking that dominated EV design during the green tech boom (2006-2014).
It was designed as a low speed commuter city vehicle (heavy quadricycle segment) and a viable alternative to motor scooters.
The design, specifications,and actual vehicle have been obtainable for more than 10 years! Doh!
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renault_Twizy)
The photo they used was a Twizzy (MSRP ~$7500), but they’re offering their product at $199, while claiming an array of different top speeds and range figures. Maybe they’ve found a way to remove 98% of their production costs. Or maybe this is fraudulent.
Craig,
Sorry, your text didn’t state clearly who “they” are. (the actual ad may have helped identify the vendor). The pricey component of the Twizzy is the battery pack.
The Twizzy is a heavy quadricycle, as such except in many jurisdictions from the normal road safety laws, and associated costs. Despite it’s dismal performance and obvious quirkiness the Twizzy is quite a good, well made little vehicle.
In 1998 the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration approved this class of vehicles a NEV’s allowing some to be registered for general road use if fitted with safety belts, headlamps, windshield wipers, and safety glass.
In the US this segment has been dominated by Global Electric Motorcars (GEM). GEM is now a subsidiary of Polaris Industries of Medina, Minnesota, and produces and excellent range of light EV’s.
The People Republic of China manufacturers a ‘rip-off’ version of the Twizzy, selling the little vehicle for about half the price. The ‘Rayttle E28’ is a Chinese copy of The Renault Twizy, but of much inferior build quality.
When the Twizzy was announced on sale in the USA, I had a sudden vision of a Twizzy owning San Franciscan motoring tourist, reporting his vehicle stolen at the Sheriff’s office in Boll Weevil County, Alabama saying tearfully, “Say Guys, can you help find my Twizzy ?”
Hmmm,….
(at $199, definitely either a very optimistic scammer, or more likely a hoax).