Those of you who rely so heavily on the iPhone, so much so that it is is the key to outside world, you’ll be amazed to see it’s also the key to an electric scooter. But not just any electric scooter, we are talking about the Scoot from San Francisco-based startup Scoot Networks. The company plans to rent out Scoots as a cheap and eco-friendly way to get around, and all you need is your iPhone to start the vehicle.

The company owns 20 scooters so far and is conducting a test service in San Francisco. The service is expected to be available in late 2012 or early 2013 to people 21 and older in the city. The scooters feature a plastic-covered smartphone dock, and to rent it you have to dock your iPhone (needs to have the Scoot Networks’ app) which will then act as both the scooter key and dashboard (Android phone docking will eventually arrive).

After docking, the handset will ping a server to check whether the vehicle is available and if it is, and if you are an approved rider, the server sends a code to the phone that will unlock the scooter. At present, you have to press a virtual “start” button on the device to turn the scooter on. While riding, the phone will show you your speed and range based on the battery life of the vehicle, and there will also be an on-screen map.

The Scoot will be available for $5 per hour or you can take one at 5 p.m. and return it at 9 a.m. the next day for the same price. It can reach up to 30 miles per hour and will go 25 miles on a single charge (recharging takes 6 to 8 hours).

According to the company’s founder Michael Keating, “We really do want folks to make this a big part of how they get around town. If they do, we think they’ll really like it. It’ll save them time, it’ll save them money, and it will make the whole city work better“.  And since these are small vehicles and won’t be allowed to be rented for more than 2 days, it is expected that the service will be allowed in most states.

But a few analysts believe that the business won’t become big as it will most likely become popular only in areas like university campuses and also because many would prefer a bicycle if the destination is not too far away. What do you think?  Would you scoot?

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There are several folks who boot around Vancouver here in electric scooters. They’re compact, they’re efficient, they’re quite as hell and they get the job done. They’re also as slow as molasses and just about as interesting. The Lito Sora from Montreal is of a completely different breed.

Yes, it is just an electric motorcycle, but it’ll keep you going for days without having to plug back in. That’s because the 12kWh lithium-ion batteries keep the Sora swerving through traffic for up to 300km (185 miles) at a time. A full recharge does take eight hours though.

So, it has to be slow to achieve that kind of range, right? Not exactly. In fact, it’ll probably outrace many a Prius and Smart Car with its top speed of 200 km/h (125mph). Lito has tossed in an integrated GPS (that calculates the amount of power needed to get to your destination too), regen brakes, CVT, and electronically adjustable ergonomics for good measure. The seat has a vertical range of four inches, providing you with the right comfort (and aerodynamics).

For some strange reason, I can envision Captain America battling bad guys while riding this beast of an electrobike. Does that make me weird? In any case, there’s no price, but we know the Lito Sora can’t be cheap.

[Read]

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Nissan Land Glider Concept

Remember years ago when we first heard about Project Ginger and then it was revealed to us as the Segway? It was supposed to revolutionize the way that we got around town, but it hasn’t exactly lived up to these high hopes. We still want a proper vehicle of some kind for longer trips and it seems that Nissan is capitalizing on this emerging niche.

There are other electric cars and there are fuel-efficient scooters, but none of them are quite like the Nissan Land Glider. It has four wheels, but it leans into corners like a bike or a scooter.

The electric-powered Land Glider is about half the width of a family car and it has room to transport two people around town. By being narrower, the Land Glider can more easily navigate through busy city streets. With a maximum top speed of 62mph, it should be able to handle most urban transport.

“It is a radical new vehicle that combines the company’s vision for future urban mobility with Nissan’s great driving heritage,” said a Nissan representative.”With four-wheel stability and a sense of safety that originates from a tilting cabin, the Land Glider will appeal to both two-wheel and four-wheel driving enthusiasts.”

No word on a launch date, so stay tuned for more.

Nissan Land Glider Concept Photo Gallery

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China-based GP Batteries put their money in to the Delaware corporation and bought the majority if their assets for an undisclosed amount and the Vectrix team is now “in the process of reorganizing and relaunching the brand back into the space,” according to Chief Operating Officer Jason Kim.

Earth2Tech had a chance to speak with Kim from Vectrix yesterday at the International Powersports Dealer Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana. They have formed a “very light” management team and “secured the original engineering team”, their plans now are to rebuilt the relationships with dealers that may have become damaged from the Chapter 11 filing last year. This recent announcement should help them move any remaining Vectrix VX-1 scooters that were left over, it’s never easy to sell something from a company that no longer exists.

The Vetrix team is excited to get new models on the market, and with battery maker GP on board it should be a smooth, green, gasoline-free ride.

Key Features of the Vectrix Scooter

• Zero carbon emissions during operation
• Range of 35-55 miles (depending on speed, rider weight, and driving habits)
• Top speed of 68 mph
• Acceleration 0-50 mph in 6.8 seconds / 0-31 mph in 3.6 seconds
• As responsive as a 400cc scooter but with a 125cc classification, making the bike accessible to anyone with a provisional license who has completed CBT training.
• Patented Multi-Function Throttle provides regenerative braking and a slow-speed reverse for greater maneuverability and easy parking
• The onboard charger recharges the scooter in just over three hours from a standard 110/220V (3 pin) power socket.
• Low noise for reduced sound pollution
• Estimated battery life of 10 years/50,000 miles

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