I was in Europe last couple of weeks, and the Mercedes-Benz Hybrid
electric Bike was being heavily promoted. I first saw it on a billboard
in the Turin (Italy) airport, and again in some German magazines.
Stopped at a M-B dealer in Munich, and they had one in the store. Cost -
about 3200DM - $2000-or-so. I was more-or-less ready to buy it (althoug
my wife was not). Didn't matter - they wouldn't sell it to me - a
Mercedes-Benz policy. They said I had to order it in the USA. So far, no
USA dealer that I've been in contact with knows anything about it.

The bike, called the "Hybrid Bike" was very nice looking. In fact, to
the casual observer, it was not obvious that it was electric. The
electric motor was built into the rear weel hub, which was oversized.
The bike does not operate on an all-electric mode. It adds electric
power in proportion to the amount of force put on the petal, such that
the electric motor picks up 50% of the energy required. Above 25 km/hr,
there was no additional electric input. The brochure claims a range of
30km, or a duration of 2 hours. There is no regenerative braking
capability.

The bike has no chain. Instead of a chain, transfer of pedal power is by
means of a rubber/Kevlar belt, similar to a fan belt. According to the
brochure, electrical power is 300w at 24VDC. There are 20 nicad cells.
The Hybrid Bike is fairly heavy, 26.5 Kg (58 lbs).

Anyway, thought you might like to know. And if you know of a source for
the thing, I'd be interested.

Regards,

Eckhard Konkel 


				

				

				

					

	

		
			

			
		

			
		

		

		
			

			

				
				
				
		

			
	










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