Hybrid commuter bike
Added on Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments
Hybrid commuter bike
It might not look too exciting, but the EKO ET-120 is perhaps an early glimpse of commuter bikes of the future, mixing petrol and electric power, reports Alastair Walker.
EKO Vehicles of India recently launched this new hybrid motorcycle which features a 70cc petrol powered four stroke engine, plus an electric motor, which the factory say gives a combined fuel consumption of 280mpg. The petrol engine charges the battery whilst on the move.
The machine looks very simple, based on the traditional step-thru moped design pioneered by Honda in the late 1950s and insidebikes is guessing that the electric motor is really only useful in town and on flat roads. Top speed is a modest 40mph and the ET-120 also has a fully enclosed chainguard, minimal brakes, a dual seat and pannier mounting racks.
This is very much a rugged, developing world motorbike, designed to be a workhorse for small traders, as well as a basic commuter motorcycle. The EKO ET-120 comes with a five year warranty and will retail in India for the equivalent of around £675.
The ET-120 doesn’t look like it would meet EU safety standards, but if companies like EKO can sell large numbers of hybrid motorcycles in India and China over the next few years, then perhaps modern styled machines using the same basic technology will make their way to the UK.
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