Necessity is the mother of invention, not desire. So it’s fitting that the world’s first hybrid motorcycle to market is about as fashionable as a brick on two wheels.
The ET-120 will be heading to Indian shores and boasts a mpg rating of about 280 mpg and top speed of 40mph. Sure it won’t get you anywhere fast, but who’s going to complain with a retail price of $855?
The ET-120 will be offered by Bangalore based Eko Vehicles. Developed in collaboration with US based Emerging Technologies Inc the ET-120 could set the stage to grow a grass-roots hybrid moto following rather than the trickle-down to the masses approach you’ll see with the Mission One and Mavizen.
With a tandem 70cc gasoline engine and battery system, you can expect the power and torque of a 120cc gas-powered engine. Those specs may be laughable to you against our super-powered motorcycles, but small displacement motorcycles are a major mode of transportation throughout much of India. Having a 100-percent increase of hill climbing capability from almost four-degrees to eight, along with a tripling of fuel economy is life changing. And with roughly three-fold decrease in emissions, everyone can start breathing a little easier.
If none of that is surprising, a five-year warranty likely is. Is there a single bike on the market today with a warrantee at all let alone for five years? According to their press release, they wanted to demonstrate "quality is not sacrificed even at the incredible pricing." Well I'd say they got their point across.
It's not the best looking or highest performing by any stretch of the imagination, but its getting the job done and bringing it to the masses. Of course we all think the ET-120 is more "scooter" than "motorcycle", but who is going to argue* that* semantic with over a billion people?
*Main Photo: Flickr / *JanetandPhil
