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Kerry sees New Bedford firm scoot'n along
By Joe Cohen
Standard-Times staff writer
 NEW
BEDFORD — Massachusetts' Harley-Davidson-riding U.S.
Senator John F. Kerry got on an all-electric scooter
here Monday and proclaimed it a vehicle of the future.
That endorsement of the Vectrix zero-emissions vehicle
was exactly what company and city officials were looking
to hear.
Sen. Kerry, a Democrat, talked about going "beyond
fossil fuels" and "really exciting great possibilities"
and "how you turn around America" during a tour of the
Vectrix Corporation's local operations off Samuel Barnet
Boulevard in the New Bedford Business Park.
Speaking to about 35 company employees and others
gathered at Vectrix, he also struck a chord when he
talked about potential future federal tax incentives for
zero-emissions vehicles such as the Vectrix — which
sells for about $11,000.
Company officials said that federal or state tax
incentives and rebates could be an important factor in
boosting sales of the all-electric scooter, which costs
about twice as much as a similar gasoline-powered
two-wheeler.
Currently, California offers a $1,500 rebate, Colorado
offers a tax incentive that can go as high as $4,600 and
Georgia offers buyers a $2,000 incentive.
Sen. Kerry, who keeps a Harley-Davidson Wide Glide in
Boston — a bike known among Harley fans as a
"Switchblade" — took a couple of spins around the
parking lot on the Vectrix for the benefit of television
and news photographers.
He said the Vectrix was relatively easy to ride and
quick.
According to company literature, rapid acceleration is
one of the scooter's strong points. That is possible
largely because electric motors can speed up quickly,
and the Vectrix moves from a stop to 50 mph in 6.8
seconds.
Its top speed, however, is 62 mph and its range on a
single electric charge is 68 miles. The Vectrix uses
nickel metal hydride batteries, weighs 462 pounds and is
a little over five feet long. It can carry two people.
After looking at the batteries, wires, switches and
other mechanicals of the Vectrix, Sen. Kerry told those
gathered, "I am in awe of the intricacy." He said he
could understand how the vehicle's promoters saw
themselves providing a high-quality alternative to most
gasoline-powered scooters, while still being under the
price point for the more expensive two-wheeled gasoline
vehicles on the road.
"Take the niche — like VW (Volkswagen) in the '60s,"
Sen. Kerry said about a vehicle that could be good for
commuting but also to "get out there for a Sunday ride."
"You guys are defining the future," he told the Vectrix
employees.
Vectrix Corp. is headquartered in Middletown, R.I., and
has production facilities in Poland. The New Bedford
facility is called its research and development and
distribution location.
The company has about 150 employees, with about 30 in
Rhode Island, about 55 in Poland, about 40 in New
Bedford and about 25 salespeople scattered around the
globe.
Vectrix has been working on its scooter since the
mid-1990s. It initiated commercial production in 2007.
The scooter is targeted at commuters and fleet buyers
such as police departments.
The company's fact sheet shows sales to dealers of 700
vehicles to date. The Vectrix is sold in 16 countries
including North America, Europe, Japan and Australia.
Jeff Morrill, chief marketing officer for Vectrix, said
the company took its time bringing the scooters to
market to make certain everything was done right.
Asked about the use of top-of-the-line componentry, he
said the company was not trying to shave costs but
rather build a vehicle that reflected "no compromise"
regarding quality.
Mr. Morrill said Vectrix is marketing to police
departments and has vehicles in tests in New York City
and elsewhere, and has been getting positive feedback.
New Bedford Mayor Scott W. Lang, who accompanied Sen.
Kerry at the Vectrix facility, said he intends to get
the scooters into use with the city police department.
His interest in Vectrix is both because of its
technology orientation and for the jobs.
"These guys are presenting a new alternative," Mayor
Lang said, "This is like lightning in a bottle."
Mayor Lang said if Vectrix succeeds over the near term,
it could mean 200 to 300 jobs to New Bedford.
Contact Joe Cohen at jcohen@s-t.com
March 18, 2008 |
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