Skip to Content

Two motorcycles that joined the alternative power movement

Motocycle company Vespa is currently developing hybrid scooters based on its LX 50 and the Piaggio X8 125. Both prototypes' drivetrains will deliver a 25% power increase while delivering a 20% better fuel efficiency. Unlike today's production hybrids like the Toyota Prius or Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner, the scooters' batteries can be recharged via a regular household plug.

London-based Intelligent Energy developed the Emissions Neutral Vehicle, or ENV (pictured), which Autoblog reported in March last year. Jerry Garrett of the Copley News Service reports riding the prototype. He found the noise, or lack of, from the ENV's motor most disconcerting. Otherwise, he found the bike responsive and easy to maneuver, and had no difficulty slaloming test cones.

[Sources: Treehugger; Copley News Service via Boston Globe]

Add your comments

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.

When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password.

To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br /> tags.



Featured Galleries

  • 2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom
  • Smart ED production
  • Tesla Roadster audio recording for video games
  • Production i-MiEVs in the UK
  • Hyundai 2.4L direct injected Theta II
  • Mercedes-Benz Citaro FuelCELL-Hybrid bus
  • Chevy Volt hits the streets in Royal Oak
  • 2010 Nissan LEAF
  • 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML450 hybrid
  • Renault Fluence ZE concept
  • Governor Schwarzenegger with the Zero S
  • Peugeot Concept HYbrid3 Evolution

Categories


Autoblog

Daily Finance

Download Squad

Engadget

Joystiq

Autoblog Spanish

Switched.com

FanHouse

Asylum