Urban Ecoist

Sanyo has unveiled a new electric-hybrid bike for the Japanese market.  My question is, when will it come to the United States market?  Why must Asians always have the best technology, i.e. toys?

The Eneloop electric bicycle is designed to “harness the energy” from the braking system on the bike. It comes with a lithium-ion battery that is, of course, rechargeable. The best part in my opinion, as I live in a hilly city, is that the electric part of the bike can add extra power going uphill — up to double the power that my little legs can generate on their own.

Sanyo has an entire family of “eneloop” products which are based on the eneloop battery, which is a hybrid between regular old alkaline batteries and the traditional rechargeable batteries. The eneloop batteries are ready to use and can be stored for long periods of time, rather than needing to be charged before use and recharged often. According to Sanyo, the eneloop batteries are available in Japan and Europe, but the website doesn’t say anything about North America. I’m sure the disposable battery lobby is somehow involved…but then I usually blame lobbyists for most of our society’s dumbness when it comes to cleaner technology.

I can see this kind of hybrid moped-bicycle becoming popular in my urban environment of Portland, Oregon, and other hilly cities across the US. I would hope that a bike could become popular in many, many other cities, but unfortunately American urban planning over the past century seems to eschew centralized layouts and instead prefer the suburbs to house everyone in cookie-cutter McMansions. I am not sure if suburbanites would be as well served by adding a bicycle/moped to their family’s vehicle fleet, but it could be a great way to get to school for teens or for anyone making a shortish journey to wherever it is that Americans drive to constantly.

And I am not sure if this kind of electric bike would need to be regulated like a moped in the US. Mopeds requires licenses to drive, whereas bikes do not. If licenses would be required for a hybrid such as the eneloop, then I can see how this bike may not be as easy to own and use in the US. But if the eneloop and it’s ilk did not require additional licensing, this could be a good move for kids getting around, you know, to and from soccer practice so Mom can get rid of the SUV.

Wow, I am living in a dream world, aren’t I? Kids cannot be allowed to wander the streets on their own, or so it seems. And Americans giving up their cars and their hour commute to and from work– never gonna happen.

Still, for urbanites, the eneloop could be an excellent way to increase your bicycle-based travels. The eneloop also claims to boost speeds up to 1.8 times. It’s not much, but if I can get a few miles farther without totally wiping out my legs and showing up ruddy-faced and sweaty to an appointment or a meeting, that could be a very cool thing for me — and everyone who has to sit near me.

Sanyo, electric bike, hybrid, bicycle, lithium ion, battery, alkaline, rechargeable, Japan, Europe, commute, biking, SUVs