Sanyo Eneloop - Hybrid Electric Bicycle

Sanyo has announced the eneloop hybrid electric bicycle. What’s really unique about this bike versus other electric assisted bikes is that it captures energy from the wheels when braking or coasting, recharging the batteries in the process much like hybrid cars. This gives the bike a much longer range per watt. The eneloop bike has been designed to be the industry’s first*1 to conform to the newest standards*2, offering a “Power-up Mode” assist ratio of up to 1:2*2 making riding the bicycle more comfortable, a new “loop charge function”*3 that generates electricity and charges the battery while in use, and a “two-wheel drive system” provide a safer, more stable ride. The new eneloop bike will be on sale in Japan in early February 2009.

The bike offers a “Power-up Mode” assist ratio of up to 2:1, or double the rider’s pedal effort. The bike uses a “two wheel drive” system in that the motor powers the front wheel while the rider powers the rear wheel.

Initially it will only be available in Japan starting in February 2009, but international sales are likely to follow. MSRP will be about ¥130,000 (roughly $1,400).

SANYO, based on its ‘Think GAIA’ brand vision and the eneloop concept stressing ‘looping energy’ or stressing a lifestyle of reusing and recycling, created the ‘eneloop universe’ in 2006. The eneloop bike announced today will become a part of this product series, as it accurately represents both looping energy and consideration for the environment in a reusable system. With this new product, clean and reusable energy is “Generated, Recharged, and Conserved” simultaneously. Energy is generated by the rider, recharging the auxiliary battery, and conserving the energy both from the main battery and the rider.