You see them now driving all over the island: small bikes, propelled by an electric motor. Some look like Vespa-style motorscooters, others come along with fat tires and an unusual look. All have in common that they are offered by Stephan Possemiers.
Electric vehicles enjoy broad support from governments worldwide as they are perceived and promoted as the magic solution to many environmental ills. The truth is that some ecological challenges might just be exchanged for others, equally damaging ones. As long as electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels, be it coal or oil, not much is green about electric transports. And St. Maarten/St-Martin, with dependence on diesel generators to power the island, is in an especially vulnerable position.
The most severe market obstacle for electric cars or bikes is the relatively short-range they allow between battery charges. And this range cannot just be extended much by installing more batteries, because of weight considerations. Batteries to power a car for 310mi (500km) are as heavy as a camper-trailer, and we are not even talking about the astronomical cost for the storage units. Technology makes advances in leaps and bounds, but the miracle concept to increase energy density for storing electricity has not been found yet.
Now to the good news: our island is ideally suited for the range typical electric vehicles provide. Nobody here commutes over 62mi (100km) per day, and overnight charging will deliver a fueled-up machine for the next morning. Driving an electric car or a bike is a blast! Instant power release, better acceleration at no noise compared to combustion-engine transports will convert most skeptics fast. Add to this that there is almost no maintenance to worry about, and electric cars and bikes look attractive... if the price would come down a bit more.
Enter Volts as a solution, owned and operated by longtime SXM resident Stephan Possemiers. Years ago, he started the painful process of investing in electric scooters and importing them to our island and also to his company's headquarter in Belgium. Occasionally, he found a technical gem from a manufacturer committed to quality, but more often, he had to write off his investment as junk.
"It took three years to find the right products, but now I have a line-up of fantastic scooters," says Stephan. "Nowadays, Volts as a brand stands for cutting edge and high-quality electric bikes."
Especially popular is the Harley Scooter, even though the name might be a stretch if it's referencing Harley Davidson motorbikes. Similarities begin and end with fat tires and a certain style of handle-bar and headlight.
Volts is currently using a fleet of Harley Scooters for guided tours with visitors; private rentals are not available yet. But new scooters are also for sale, starting at only $1,800. For this price, one acquires a tool for perfectly competent transportation in areas like Simpson Bay looping over to Cole Bay, maybe to Marigot or to get around in Philipsburg. The top speed is about 25mph (45 km/h). With an optional second battery, the scooter will have a range of about 50 miles (or 80 kilometers).
For transport to all corners of the island, a full-size scooter resembling the classic look might be better suited. Volts has several on their list.
Stephan foresees a bright future for electric mobility on the island: "As soon as individual households start producing their own power with solar panels, my bikes can't be beaten for cost efficiency and convenience. But we are ahead of the game already because we also have the fun factor on our side!"
Go online to VOLTS.BE to find more information - if you speak Dutch. Otherwise, contact Stephan Possemiers at +1 721 554-3462 or shoot him an email:
