EVT 4000e Review

Overall Rating

It's quiet, it looks great, it's convenient and you don't have to buy gas anymore! It's a two seater, might be a little snug, but you can fit a passenger. Only $0.44 per day to charge (10 hours @ $0.11 per kWh).

30-mile range is not for everybody, but it works for my 8-mile commute. Hill performance is so-so, on a very steep hill the battery draw forced a shutdown once or twice (I was able to make the hill by accelerating slowly), on a 10% grade you can expect 5-10mph at best, so stick to the right lane. I wish the charger were integrated, but it does fit in the locked cavity under the seat.

In California the EVT 4000e is classified as a motorized bicycle, so it's legal to ride in bike lanes and the license plate registration is only $32 (no annual fees). It goes 25-30mph easily with a 260-pound rider along flat terrain and 30-35 in power mode. Low to no maintenance, a comfortable ride, dual disc brakes and easy to operate.

I'm very pleased with the EVT 4000e, my 8-mile commute takes the same time as driving a car, and I figure it can pay for itself in 2 years, and it frees up the car so my wife can use it when she needs it.

Members' Comments onlectricambler's Review

• lectricuser on 29th Sep 2007

  I'm the lectricambler who originally posted this review, this was a few weeks since delivery and I was really enjoying my scooter experience. However, I began having charging issues and the scooter's range dropped significantly, up to the point (at 800 miles on the odometer) that I had to push my scooter the last mile of my 8-mile commute because the batteries failed. A visual inspection showed the batteries were severely expanded, a result of a defective charger.
  
  My dealer was able to arrange for replacement batteries, but then it happened again 800 miles later (and only 8 months into the warranty). I took the scooter to a dealer repair shop and they identified a defective charger. I contacted the warranty department (the importer, not the dealer) and they ignored my phone calls and emails after pinning the blame on the battery manufacturer. I was forced to pay for replacement batteries AND a charger with no help from them. How's that for warranty service?
  
  Now at 3,000 miles, the motor is overheating and replacement is US$500-1,000. I'm really wishing I had bought a gas-powered scooter, for the price of parts and maintenance since I bought this scooter, I could have had a premium brand gas-powered scooter instead, and even considering the cost of fuel, I'd still be ahead of the game financially.
  
  The concept is nice, but based on my experience, save the aggravation and don't waste your time or money. My actual range is more like 10 miles, a 250 pound operator driving 150 feet of elevation over 8 miles.
  
  If you're considering this electric scooter, you might want to think twice and go with a brand-name gas-powered scooter with a REAL dealer warranty and professional service. Don't buy the EVT 4000e (or the 168). Buy a brand-name gas-powered scooter instead. You'll easily drive 10,000 miles with only oil changes for maintenance.