Two German engineers have managed to develop (without any external technological help or financial support) an electric bike that looks like a mix between a motorcycle and a mountain bike. The so-called Elmoto is powered by a 2KW engine and boasts a driving range of up to 65km with a single battery charge (which costs around $1).

Weighing just 45kg (the frame is made of aluminum), drivers can go as fast as 45km/h. The lithium-ion battery-powered Elmoto is being marketed as a “green” vehicle since it doesn’t emit carbon dioxide. German customers don’t even need to have a driver’s license to use it, but this may be different in other EU countries (the owners currently try hard to internationalize their invention, at least in the EU).

The developers of the e-bike hope to ship 100 units by the end of this year and then significantly boost sales in 2010. The Elmoto costs $5,700.

Via Der Spiegel [GER]