Vectrix Scooter...why NiMh?

[Apteratude]

Why, for $11k, and requiring so few batteries relative to propelling a 1500lb Aptera, did they use NiMh. The range on the Vectrix of only around 45 miles is quite unacceptable, as is the over 500lb weight. Only good thing, is it gets a $1500 tax rebate incentive in California. Still prices it about 4 grand more than it's gas counter part with very limited range and top speed.

Same thing with the future plug-in Prius possibly having up to 10-20 miles of highway electric only range (5-7 miles all city approx). At that amount, it's going to cost close to $1.00-2.00 to recharge the battery in some markets. And that makes the electricity as expensive as gasoline. A sign that a combonation of Pork in the form of a 3200lb car, and inferior battery technology(NiMh) is not the answer.

Advanced battery technology is needed to make EV's a viable solution, instead of where many of them are already...just a novelty.

[futura]

Vectrix states the NiMH was a technology they were familiar with and a safe choice. I can't fault them for that except, as you stated, the cost should have been commensurately lower. It seems they made some poor decisions early on and then stuck with them.

Aptera seems to be playing it smarter with their design.
Efficiency is key.
Make it aero so it doesn't need lot's of kWh to push along at 60mph.
Lose the 4th wheel so it's more aero, has less rolling resistance and doesn't lose more energy to the differential (those things get hot, which translates to energy loss).
Make it lightweight but strong.
All this allows for a smaller battery/motor combination which allows for much lower cost and ridiculously high MPG.

Vectrix seems to have had some electrical issues (charger&throttle).
You can pour through this forum for Vectrix owners (all 123 of them!)
http://visforvoltage.org/forum/2206-vectrix-owners-new-amp-prospective

I hope Aptera can avoid these reliability glitches. Probably requires they keep the Typ-1 as simple as possible.

Cheers.