Providence Police Department Testing Vectrix Scooters
by Andrew Posner, Providence, Rhode Island on 07.25.08
Providence Police Test Electric Scooter
Last month four police officers in Providence, Rhode Island began a "a three-month trial of the all-electric Vectrix Maxi scooter" which has a range of 60 miles, a 3-5 hour charge time, and a top speed of just over 60 miles per hour. Vectrix is providing the scooters for free, and the city is very interested in their ability to reduce air and noise pollution. According to the Providence Police Department, the scooters will be used to enhance foot and bicycle patrols, giving officers enhanced mobility without sacrificing their ability to engage with people. Providence " is the third city in the United States to host a pilot program featuring the battery-powered vehicles," (Sacramento was the first) although UK police have also been testing the scooter. The hope is that, combined with the foot and bicycle patrols, the Police Department will be able to save money on fuel costs, lower emissions and enhance its ability to patrol the city.
Electric Scooters Are Great in Certain Situations
I've seen several officers on the electric scooters, and it's a pleasant surprise to walk past them and not hear and smell the rumbling of a 400cc engine. Although the range of the scooters is limited, they are being used in situations where officers are primarily stationed in one spot, but still need the ability to move quickly. Ordinarily, they would sit on their bikes, with the engine on, wasting fuel and making noise. So while the Vectrix Scooter won't work for all policing duties, there are some situations where they are ideal, and the low cost of electricity relative to gas certainly sweetens the deal.
Via: ::Providence Business News
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The best part: The perps will never hear them coming!
This is great! Nothing like fleet purchases to boost production and lower the price on new/developing technologies!
Would officers drive more than 60 miles on patrol in a day?
JSDreyer,
Its fine, donut shops will have e-vehicle rapid chargers to feed the bike, as well as the cop!
I like this idea actually, and hope it catches on for city patrols. This would spur the whole industry for electric bikes.
Now you won't be able to hear them coming.
This would be a great chase vehicle for in city speeders.
The parking parole (green hornets) can go 'green' ...
Parade patrol, funeral processions, & Roadwork duty would enjoy these scooters.
Glad to see the Police giving these a try.
"The best part: The perps will never hear them coming!"
The police have used this feature of bicycles to great advantage, so this was probably a selling feature!
You could buy a lot of bicycles for the price of one of those, and still have zero emissions. Less charge time too!
As the proud owner of a Burgman 650, I encourage the use of super-scooters by all.
I will have by stock in whatever donut shop chain has power outlets in the parking lot. (first cop joke!)
A fleet purchase is something Vectrix could use right now. Move some inventory, build some cash and provide a solid test bed for the scooters. I hope they can land the deal.
The cops in our neighborhood, South Pasadena, California, ride around those three wheel Segway-like electric scooters during local events, don't recall the name of those. Would love to see motorcycle cops in our area cruise around on the Vetrix. Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmmm...