Sanyo has released a new “eneloop”-branded and battery-assisted bicycle [JP] that’s aimed at people (in Japan only for the time being) wanting to replace motorbikes and mini vehicles with a “green” alternative. The so-called CY-SPG226’s battery is powerful enough to let the bike travel about 85km with a single charge (which takes 3.5 hours).
Sanyo says it achieved this impressive driving range by developing a battery that automatically recharges (at least to some extent) when the driver brakes or drives downhill. Other modifications include a front basket that can carry up to 10kg (3 times more than the baskets in other Sanyo hybrids) and tires that are 20% wider than previous eneloop bikes.
Sanyo says it aims at selling the bike to cost-conscious commuters, courier companies and maintenance firms but doesn’t expect to sell more than 300 units for the time being. The bike, which weighs a massive 32kg, costs $1,300 in Nippon. But when can we expect them appear in stores outside this country?
This is the kind of thing that should have appeared last year in the USA when gas prices were around $5 a gallon!
I do not own a car and would love something like this for back and forth to the grocery store.
Note I do not live in a ‘city’ there is no public transport and if I want to get somewhere currently I have to walk or ride my bicycle.
The bike is unsurprisingly, being marketed to courier and maintenance companies for $1,300. That may sound expensive to some, but if you really hate pedaling or doing more work than is absolutely necessary, it might not be so bad.
This looks ideal for courier work in the cities. The cost would soon be recouped. Perhaps the government should this about some kind of subsidy for such clean green transport.
Oooh, sexy. Please keep us posted if this becomes available in the US. I would shell out for that.
I have one, and I love it! They are so much fun to ride in the city and no sweat going uphill.
Everyone must have one.
Just the job for our inner city couriers.
Around London there are times when a bike like this would pay dividends (even if they do look like my grannies old bike). Are they for sale in UK?
Yes they are. Drop me a note and I’ll put you in touch with our division that handles the UK.
akelley@sna.sanyo.com