German geeks build electric bike, now want to sell it internationally
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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).
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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).
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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]
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