April 18, 2008 Cycles go green at the Boston Marathon Play video

(Peter Howe, NECN: New Bedford, Mass.) - Winning the Boston Marathon, not only did you have to run faster than ten thousand other people, for two hours you had to put up with the noise and exhaust of the motorcycles carrying race officials and cameramen.

For the first time Monday, the eight cycles leading the race this year will be pollution free and electric powered. Made by Vectrix Corp., a Rhode Island company whose main operations are in New Bedford.

Peter Hughes, Chief Technology Officer of Vectrix: "It's a good opportunity to show people why this vehicle is important and why it can be an in-the-city commuter solution. Which is no polluting, no emissions coming out of this vehicle. I think that's very important for the runners."

Technically, this isn't a motorcycle, but a maxi scooter. It's no Vespa. It can do 62 miles an hour top speed. After you plug it in and charge it up for three hours, it can go 55 miles. Work on the Vectrix began in 1997. Among many patents on the Vectrix is how applying the brakes re-charge the battery

The debut of the Vectrix cycles on Monday at the Marathon comes as the company, which so far has sold mainly in Germany and Italy, sends out the first 500 cycles to dealers on the East Coast and California. The retail price? $11,000.

Vectrix also has New York City police testing out four and they got a generous free endorsement from comedian Jay Leno

Leno: "To be honest with you, I didn't want to like

What we call butts on seats. We can talk about it all day long but giving people a ride on the vehicle is what really counts.

What's next for Vectrix? Lighter batteries that extend the 55-mile range.

In eight months, they plan to sell a three-wheel version - a little more stable, especially if you're delivering packages or pizza. And they've got a prototype of a true motorcycle - a 120-mile-an hour electric hog.