With a down economy and high/rising energy costs, Sanyo figures it’s the perfect time to introduce electric bicycles to the U.S. market. The world’s largest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries has been selling them in Japan for 15 years, and now the company has brought the Eneloop (“Energy-Looping”) electric bicycle to the U.S. It was officially introduced here late last year, but many journalists got their first-up-close glimpse of the ride-assist bike at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where it was named CES’s number-one green product for eco-design and sustainability.
The bike looks a lot like a rugged, slightly old-fashioned bicycle. Under the wide, comfortable seat is a rechargeable battery–you remove it to recharge. Sanyo execs said the Eneloop is actually a sophisticated melding of the company’s three core competencies: motors, rechargeable batteries, and electronics. Together, they give the bike torque sensitivity, the ability to charge while you’re coasting and braking and to give you a significant boost as you’re pedaling.
The Eneloop can travel up to 46 miles on one charge at speeds of up to 15 miles an hour. The bike does not drive on its own, but as soon as you start pedaling, it assists: Soon you’re traveling at 15 miles per hour, which feels faster than you might think. Stop pedaling, and the bike slows down, like an ordinary bike.
Don’t worry, you don’t need a license. Thanks to a U.S. law passed in 2008, any vehicle that has pedals, uses less than 1,000 watts, and travels at less than 20 MPH is still considered a bike.
The Eneloop is available through Best Buy and costs… wait for it… $2,299.95. Being green ain’t cheap, but think of all the money you’ll save on gas in the long run. Watch the video for my full hands-on report.
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