Zero-emission scooter to debut in Japan

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The Japanese electric zero-emission hybrid scooter "Miletto" to be released in 2010, which runs 10 times as economically as a petrol-engine bike and can be assisted by human pedal power, at the Prostaff company headquarters in Ichinomiya, Aichi prefecture, central Japan. The Miletto normally runs with battery power, but on a steep hill the rider would work the pedals to assist power.

A Japanese zero-emission "hybrid" scooter to be released next year runs 10 times as economically as a petrol engine bike and can be assisted by human pedal power, its maker said Thursday.

The Miletto, developed by auto equipment maker PROSTAFF Co. Ltd., will make its debut at 156,900 yen (1,730 dollars) in 12 colours, the company said.

"It normally runs with battery power, but on a steep hill the rider would work the pedals to assist," said Ryo Teranishi, a planning official for the company, which is based in the central Japanese city of Ichinomiya.

"It's a zero-emission vehicle in itself but this hybrid of an electric motor and manpower makes it even more environmentally friendly," he told AFP.

With a single charge, which takes between two and four hours, the Miletto can run 35 kilometres (22 miles) on a flat road without pedalling.

That means it can travel three kilometres on one yen (one cent), roughly 10 times as economical as a conventional scooter, the company said.

The company has no specific plans at the moment to sell the scooter abroad.

(c) 2009 AFP

   

• ScottyB - Oct 29, 2009
  • Rank: 1 / 5 (2)
  Why dont they put solar panels on this thing and make it more "Zero-emission"
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• petrosdias - Oct 29, 2009
  • Rank: 2 / 5 (1)
  @ScottyB Actually, that would probably be a bad idea at the moment. Solar panels aren't that efficient at the moment, not to mention extremely expensive. Large power-generating installations are much more efficient and economical than small-scale installations.
  
  Solar panels could make it more "zero-emission" and definitely energy-independent but also very expensive. Maybe in 10-20 years from now.
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• tealeebee - Oct 29, 2009
  • Rank: 3.7 / 5 (3)
  I do not comprehend why this is getting coverage on Physorg when there are literally hundreds of electric bicycles, tricycles, carts and utility vehicles being manufactured today in China. Firms even specialize in motors, chargers, parts...and kits to convert regular bikes. There are some really snazzy "scooter" models, too, cooler than the japanese model (also 3-wheel scooters). Google it (el bike china) and see! Besides hybrids, most use conventionally charged electric batteries, although when solar cells (soon) become really efficient, ScottB is right.
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