THE days of greasy motorbikes with deafening exhausts and whining, smoking scooters could be numbered, challenged by an all-new, pollution-free electric scooter. The revolutionary Vectrix promises motorbike performance, zero emissions, reasonable range and loose-change running costs.

The bike is unveiled as National Motorcycle Week, which starts on Monday, highlights two-wheel commuting. Latest figures show two-wheel commuting is increasing, with the number of miles travelled by motorbike and scooter rising by 37 per cent last year.

The Vectrix certainly looks the part, its environmentally friendly credentials cloaked behind radically aggressive styling. The electric motor, using a 120-volt, 3.7kWh battery, delivers the equivalent of 29hp for a top speed of 62mph. Maximum torque is available at zero revs, so acceleration is a traffic-beating 0-50mph in less than seven seconds.

In the past, lack of range and lengthy recharging times have stymied electric vehicles, whether two-wheeled or four. The Vectrix claims a range of just under 70 miles at an average 25mph or 38 miles at 44mph. Battery life is extended by an ingenious regenerative system that uses braking energy to recharge the nickel metal hydride powerpack. Crucially, the bike takes only two hours to recharge via a cable that unwinds from the front and plugs into a regular domestic socket.

There is even a reverse gear to make it easier to park — just twist the throttle the “wrong” way when at a standstill. Best of all, there is no congestion charge for London commuters, and no road tax. Which means running costs of a few pence per mile. The downside is that the bike, scheduled to arrive in the UK next spring, will cost up to £5,500 and owners without garages or who live in flats or terraced homes will find it tricky to recharge the machine.

Carlo Di Biagio, the former boss of Ducati, the highperformance sportbike makers, is undeterred. The Vectrix chief operations officer points out that while half a million commuters bike into Rome every day, fewer than 40,000 bike in and out of London.

“Until now, electric-powered vehicles have delivered poor performance and unreliability,” he said. “The Vectrix accelerates faster than petrol-driven equivalents, is easier to use, and is better in terms of running costs and reliability, so is ideal for commuters and motorcycle enthusiasts.”