With gas prices stubbornly high, saving money at the pump this summer is on many drivers’ minds. For some, that means yet again reconsidering the SUV in favor of a smaller vehicle or even a hybrid. Others may go even further in their quest for fuel efficiency.
We recently teamed up with Vespa to take a look at just how much of an impact switching to a scooter might have on your financial bottom line — and, collectively, on your community. With its 75 mpg, a scooter will without a doubt save you tons at the pump — if it’s right for your lifestyle, of course. And consider this: if 20% of the vehicles driven in New York City during daytime hours were replaced by scooters, drivers could see a total decrease in traffic delays saving nearly 100 working hours per person per year, resulting in more than $122 million in savings for the city in fuel and labor productivity.
For more details, check out our infographic and visit vespanomics.com.
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14 Comments so far
leave a commentAfter a 20 minute soaking in carb dip I blow out the carb with compressed air. The unburned fuel oil mixture builds up in the exhaust pipe along with carbon over time. ..Ifyour tank is not too rusted or dirty you might be able to get away with just flushing it out.
All the benefits with one MAJOR drawback. Since there are virtually no pollution controls on scooters, every vehicle that’s replaced by one will result in 85 times more emissions dumped into the air–even more when you consider that former passengers will need scooters of their own.(http://seattlest.com/2008/10/06/gas_scooters_the_new_pollution_mena.php)
Great! However, doesn’t anyone remember the bicycle? Better mileage, Better health, lower travels risks, Better cost savings. Check out the bikonomics series on Grist right now. The majority of trips for the majority of folks in the US are less than 5 miles. A bike will kick a vespa’s keester in any economic comparison and in my opinion a bike is even more fun!
I think one of the better solutions is to institute better public transporation. You get rid of insurance, tax, and you clear up roads. You have less accidents and less people going to the hospital. Seems like a win all around and a huge decrease in risk.
-Ravi Gupta
I think that Range and top speed should have been included in the infographic.
A scooter is a single-person, local, low-speed transportation alternative, right? How many people fit that niche?
I ride a motorcycle that averages about 48mpg.
How often do people generally use every seat of their car anyway? Hardly ever
Can you ride in the rain? With the right gear, absolutely (same with cold weather)
Does it reduce congestion? Yes
Does it reduce road wear and tear? Yes
Does insurance cost less than my car? I dont know how, but it does by alot
Need to haul something big once in awhile? Go get a U-haul or Home Depot Pickup
My wife and I share a car and I drive a scooter as often as possible (I avoid the rain and if it’s below 12 degrees (F) which is a concern in Ohio) and that’s cheaper than having two cars. However, the difference in MPG is *not* enough to justify the cost of adding a scooter on top of your existing car(s). People like to use that as justification, but I’ve kept a spreadsheet for the last few years and when you add in the cost of gear, insurance, etc. it’s definately not cost neutral. The better MPG does reduce the total cost of scooter (or motorcycle) ownership, which is cool, but you are still paying a bit of money for the joy of enjoying your daily commute. I’d argue that it’s worth it, but make that choice without thinking you’re also saving money.
Second the bicycle comment! Any major metropolitan area has a craigslist page full of bikes for sale. A solid, reliable commuter can be had for less than $200 plus maybe $50-100 spent fixing it up for prime time. You’ll spend maybe $50 twice a year replacing tubes, doing tune-ups, unexpected “oops” stuff, and $50 on a good helmet.
In addition to a bike being cheaper, it is also better for your health, meaning that you’ll lower your health care expenses in the long run by putting a dent on the top preventable causes of death and hospitalization in the US: Heart disease and Diabetes.
Do it enough and you can save yourself the cost of a gym membership!
The cost goes way up if you have to insure yourself on it, and moreso if you take a wipe out in it.
OK good. Now what I’d like to see is an infographic showing how much fatalities and injuries could go up when you have more scooters on the road being hit by vehicles. It’s still not very safe out there people!
Driving a vespa will also help you save money on dates, because no girl would date a guy that drives a vespa.
I personally witnessed 4 “vespa” accidents while abroad in Florence – all wipe outs and none due to the fault of others. It’s a great solution on paper and it may reduce traffic, but hospitals will more full with broken bones and head injuries. And the sound of ambulance sirens will emanate from every corner of your city. What about trikes? Those are cool, no? Haha!
That could save me quite a bit over my truck. #greensweeps
I drive an electric scooter with my boyfriend back and forth to work. We have been gas and emission free for 100 miles now. Can’t beat that!