14 DAY TRIAL // Eco-friendly mania continues with this new item to serve the urban transportation for adults, possible sooner than you might think. The next company to introduce the 100% green vehicle is Roth Motor. Gizmag found out that these fellows have released a nice upgrade to their cool looking and extremely portable 2000X MotorBoard.
The best part, the new 2000XR is a motorized scooter, but looks like a ferocious two-wheeled beast. However, the vehicle is not as ferocious as expected, as it works with a safety-limited speed of 15mph. But hey, it boasts to have improved torque, range and hill climbing capabilities over its predecessor, as Gizmag emphasizes.
Moreover, the main improvements on the scooter are definitely in their new battery technology. To get the clear picture, you should have in mind the fact that the 2000X model has a standard NiMH battery, the other one, 2000XR gets juice from a safer, lighter and apparently even more powerful next generation lithium-ion battery, developed by A123 Systems a while ago. And boy, it used material initially developed at MIT. How extra terrestrial is that, huh?
The batteries can be recharged in 90 minutes with the included Intelligent Quick Charger. Not to mention they are 4 pounds lighter than their NiMH cousins in the 2000X.
For a smoother and more comfortable ride, Roth has designed the 2000XR version with an Ensolite rubber padding system under the wood deck. For extra specs details, you should know the vehicle weighs 16.5lbs, it's fully portable and foldable. The manufacturers claim it's actually foldable enough to be carried on the subway, train, bus, or into work where it can be unobtrusively stored away. There is also an integrated power saving Kick-to-Go extra feature. This spec was designed to increase efficiency and battery life with the low deck height of the unit encouraging the rider to kick to accelerate and help with low speed handling.
According to Gizmag, the eco vehicle was recently shown at Santa Monica's Alternative Car and Transportation (AltCar Expo). Maybe this is one of the reasons the 2000XR retails for about $799.
David Roth, Co-Founder and Chief Engineer for Roth Motors has also posted his opinion on the electric scooter forum: "I wanted to build a truly portable device that could be easily carried and yet was still powerful enough to pull an adult up a modest grade. Most importantly, it had to be easy to ride. In order for electric transportation to have a significant environmental, social, and economic impact, vehicles must become accessibly priced. Motorboards are a relatively inexpensive alternative for green-minded consumers who may be hesitant or unable to spend tens of thousands of dollars for a hybrid".
I don't know how cheap 800 bucks sound to you, but I am looking forward to that Segway I saw last week. Hopefully, it won't rain!
