World's First Production Hybrid Motorcycle To Hit Market In India 128
bluemanlines writes "The Indian company Eko Vehicles has announced the development of the world's first production hybrid motorcycle, called the ET-120. In a short time this motorcycle will run on the Indian streets, offering about 280 miles per gallon with a top speed of 40 miles per hour."
Other venues... (Score:5, Interesting)
Japan Post uses tons of motorcycles for its mailmen -- perhaps they would be a good market as well.
Re:Side benefit (Score:3, Interesting)
Why Hybrid but not full electrical? (Score:5, Interesting)
In China where electrical scooter is so common that could be bought in USD $100 to USD $300 depends on the performance.
Supermarket carries a large selections that looks like anything look like a bike, to something in between, to something that looks exactly like a gas scooter. 30mph is norm but I think they have model going up to 40.
Most model has detachable battery, so you could take it out and just bring the battery box indoor for plugin charging. A single charge should give you 20+ miles range (Sorry I don't own one so it's a bit guessing for this number). Some models include traditional bike padels for backup.
I don't exactly see the point of hybrid if full electrical scooter is just so mature. Do you really want to maintain two set of systems? Or unless you really need 200 miles driving range, I guess.
But for the price... (Score:5, Interesting)
To non-moto people: in a nutshell, the Cub is sort of the VW Bug of Asia, except it's unnaturally reliable [youtube.com]. (Skip to 5:00 for the dropping-it-off-a-building part.)
Re:Naturally, Not in America (Score:4, Interesting)
Want a high-MPG bike in the US that has been available longer than most Slashdotters have been alive?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Super_Cub [wikipedia.org]
They are simple. tough, easy to work on, and the most successful powered vehicle in history to the tune of SIXTY MILLION so far.
The US didn't build them because it didn't and doesn't need to. This guy did it so well that there was no point in trying to compete given US labor costs:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soichiro_Honda [wikipedia.org]
Re:Motorcycle Fuel Consumption (Score:1, Interesting)
That's because there is no emission controls on motorcycles. You have those "choppers" with no controls at all. Most modern road motorcycles (ie. not customs) will have catalytic converters and control to prevent hydrocarbon emissions. I know my motorcycle has it (75mpg).
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2009/05/motorcycle-smog-check-proposed-for-california.html
Now, if you really want to tackle emissions, go after small engines. Gas lawnmowers are much more ubiquitous than motorcycles. Requiring catalytic converters, or banning gas mowers (except riding mowers for now, but require catalytic converters and emission checks) would reduce emissions more than most of anything else that can be done in near future with road vehicles. At least that is speaking of California.