Two new hybrid scooters have been introduced for testing by Piaggio, the LX 50 HyS based on the Vespa LX 50 and the more powerful Piaggio X8 HyS based on the Piaggio X8 125. The Vespa version has a 50cc gas & 1000W electric motor while the Piaggio has a 125cc gas & 2500W electric motor. The combination is said to provide 25% more power while reducing fuel consumption by 20% by providing an assist during startup and acceleration.
The batteries recharge both from the gasoline engine during normal operation or from a European 220 volt outlet. The plug in charge takes about 3 hours. The normal storage space is used for batteries which requires an extra top box on the Vespa to make up for it while the Piaggio still has room for one helmet. The scooters can run in a low speed all electric mode as well.
Taking the already high mileage of a scooter and adding hybrid capabilities should really stretch the range, however, I wonder whether this will catch on. No mention is made of the price premium for the hybrid option and gas savings on a scooter are unlikely to recover the extra dollars spent for a very long time. Interesting.
via Retro Thing
more photos: LX 50 HyS Piaggio X8 HyS via 2strokebuzz
Dodgy says
A guy I know does LPG (propane) conversions on cars over here (Australia). We have a huge amount of the stuff, and it sells for about half the price of pump gas. He has a Yamaha scooter with a 9Kg (20 pound) tank in the helmet storage area under the seat, runs like a clock…
coho says
Years ago I saw a propane Goldwing, I seem to recall a range of three or four hundred miles.
I wonder, what about a propane/electric hybrid? Perhaps something in a sport-tourer…
Prester John says
Consumer Reports estimated that owning a hybrid car would cost the average consumer between $1000 and $2000 extra a year over the first five years.
Hybrid scooters? Pass. How about an automatic transmission that’s more efficient than the CVTs they use today?
Tom
neville thomas says
The idea sounds pretty good to me – there will always be people with better ideas and plans drawn on cigarette packs in pubs – problem is that few will invest in them. Hats off to Piaggio for doing something good – Honda has had a hybrid scooter for ages but nothing has been done re production. With increased pedestrian, zero-emission areas in Europe we should see more hybrids around….