Eco Factor: Hybrid scooter capable of 141 MPG to enter production.
Piaggio’s most awaited scooter, the MP3 hybrid, will be the first hybrid ever to be mass produced. The scooter will go on sale next year. This will not only be the first hybrid vehicle ever to be mass produced, but will also be the most fuel-efficient vehicle on the markets, sporting mileage of over 140 miles per gallon.
The scooter with a 125cc four-stroke gasoline engine coupled with electric motors is capable of hitting 60 in just 5 second. The batteries in this hybrid vehicle can be recharged either by connecting the scooter to a wall socket and waiting for three hours or by the engine and the kinetic energy harvested by regenerative braking. The MP3 can be operated on just the electric motors or by combining both the engines according to the rider’s requirements.
The 15bhp, 125cc gasoline engine can make the vehicle reach a top speed of 64mph on its own, which can be enhanced by using the electric motors simultaneously. The scooter is an ideal vehicle for anyone who wants the pleasure of riding a safe bike without spending too much on gasoline.
The Dark Side:
The only flaw in the design is that the gasoline engine has to be powered up for recharging the batteries. The scooter would surely have made some heads turn had it made use of solar power or wind power for recharging the batteries inside its hood.
i went down this week end to look at one of these but not the hybrid version and for me it just seamed a little to heavy i think they said it weighed about 550lbs and for me that was just to much to hold up(im only 5.3 and 115lbs). Also i spoke to my insurance company and they couldn’t insure this trike, something about he two wheels being in the front. So searching the Internet i came across a local dealer in my area that carried this trike http://www.theautomoto.com . Its another fuel efficient trike that was insurable by my insurance company and it was only $3,800. So when i get some time hopefully this week end ill go down there and test drive one. Shop around you might find something you like I’m pretty sure i did.
Maya.
Thanks Maya! That Auto Moto website’s really neat :-) I could definitely see myself on something like that. You’re right about the Piaggio being to heavy. Thanks for the tip, I just set up a test drive for one of these Auto Moto’s, I really want one!
Modern design... It’s like a robot in power rangers movie ;)
