hybrids By puddle jumper (Read 758 times)

[puddle jumper]

General opinion are hybrid scooters really worth the money?

[Cruiser]

I would guess you are talking about the Serengeti 49cc/500watt model which goes for about $2000. The only advantage I can see is the extended gas mileage (up to a claimed 200 mpg). There is no performance boost like found in the more expensive (Piaggio) scoots. The cost of the scoot is more than twice a standard 49cc scoot. The over $1000 savings of a standard scoot which gets about 80 to 90 mpg will go a long way in buying extra gas. I think the hybrid version might be less reliable than the gas scoot because of the additional electrical systems needed to maintain the electrical portion of the scoot. The weakest part of Chinese scoots tends to be the electrical system. Adding more electrics I would think is asking for more problems. I feel if you are going with a low powered scoot it should be kept simple (gasoline only).

[Bashan]

I found this picture of Piaggio's hybrid drive, very cool looking:

Then I looked on Piaggio's site and they didn't have a hybrid listed. The idea of a hybrid is very compelling but like Cruiser said the expense would give one pause. Rich

[runningslow]

It appears the Hybrid Piaggios haven't sold well in Europe.... so they haven't been brought to the US, yet.

You can however find them on the Piaggio UK website: www.uk.piaggio.com/en_UK/prodotti/mp3_hybrid/default.aspx

[jct842]

would take a million years to get the extra cost back on the extra mileage! at $3.00 a gal getting 100 mile out of it a mile costs 3 cents. at 200 miles per gal costs 1.5 cents per mile. unless my math is wrong in 50,000 miles you would save $750 and the hybrid would still owe you lots more miles. john