Interbike: Sanyo launching electric bike in U.S.

9 comments
By Gary Boulanger, US editor | Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 8.43pm

Beginning in November 2009, Sanyo will sell its US$2,299 hybrid pedal-assist electric bicycle called the eneloop through independent bicycle dealers and specialty retailers in the US, the company announced at Interbike today.

The 50-pound bike comes in one standard size with 26-inch wheels and a three-speed internal chain-powered drivetain. The step-through frame is based on Sanyo's popular Japanese model. The term 'eneloop' comes from energy+looping.

"Americans are becoming more aware of the environmental concerns, and Sanyo feels its new eneloop bicycle is one solution," said David Cabanban, Sanyo's North American bicycle business manager. "The U.S. is also the best place to promote Sanyo's eneloop bike ability to generate and reuse its own energy. 

"We also view everyone as a potential customer, not just the dedicated bicyclist," he added.

The Sanyo eneloop offers three assist modes -- Standard, Power-up or Auto -- where the front hub-based motor helps propel the bicycle and rider forward.

Three modes: standard, power-up and auto.: three modes: standard, power-up and auto.

The torque-sensing Power Management Controller within the regenerative electrical system automatically adjusts to differences in terrain. The loop charging system works when coasting or braking, providing up to 40 miles per charge in full Auto pedal assist mode. According to Sanyo, this increases battery use capacity up to 1.18 times per charge.

The battery is a 25.9-volt/5.7 amp lithium-ion.: the battery is a 25.9-volt/5.7 amp lithium-ion.

Features on the Sanyo eneloop bike include:

  • 250-watt DC brushless motor
  • 25.9-volt/5.7-amp lithion-ion battery
  • Charge time is 3.5 hours
  • Internally-routed cables
  • Flashing LED tail light flashes faster when braking
  • 26-inch wheels
  • 3-speed

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Sanyo also described its solar-powered charging station plans for the U.S., similar to those already in place in Japan.

According to Sanyo, more than 23 million electric bikes were sold worldwide in 2008, and forecasts are predicting sales will more than double by 2012.

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User Comments

There are 9 comments on this post

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 comments

  • What's the point in such bikes? They just make lazy people lazier and create a huge amount of batteries that will need to be recycled at some point.

  • The point with these bikes is to get people on bikes who would normally drive. No matter what the waste, they are way greener than the alternative of cars. I'm please that electric bikes are really taking off, even though I'm not interested in owning one myself (but maybe I'll ask for one for my 100th birthday).

  • The point is less driving of your vehicale the less pollution in the enviroment , more dollars in your pocket from the cost of gas and exercise to boot

    I lot of people will defend the unmotorized bike saying they get more exercise the truth of the matter is when it becomes to much exercise namly hills to climb the bike ends up on the red hook in the garage .

    A electric assist will get you out there more often and for longer periods of and time and distances and uses .

    If your interested check out www.bionx.ca for a great electric assist product made in Canada and then contact me i can help with the purchase as a dealer

    at sanderskd@accesscomm.ca

    Hope to hear from ya

  • the point is....

    less dependence on fossil-fuel based energies. got it?!!?

    great move by sanyo mate! and nice, clean and sleek design/color too!

  • Point is you pedal to the bar.

    On the way back you glide.

  • I realise that such bikes are better than cars but reckon most people who buy these bikes will buy them in addition to their cars.

  • Americans have to stop thinking of bikes as exercise machines and start realizing that bicycles, and more so e-bikes offer a viable clean commuting alternative to gas-powered vehicles. GET OUT OF YOUR CAR AND ONTO YOUR BIKE. YOU HAVE NO MORE EXCUSES.

    Jason Kraft

    Owner

    E-BikeKit.com

  • Basically those who are too lazy to pedal will use one of these for short Sunday rides round a lake or something and then put them back in their cars and drive home. It's got nothing to do with getting people off cars. This is just about a company thinking how it can make money out of lazy c***s.

  • The point is all about thinking progressively and working different and more strategic ways to safeguard our planet's ecosystems, Transportation is one of the planets biggest co2 emmiters.

    To have a personal option, other then cars or even public transit, can differ people from polluting, especially with those of us who have short commutes to work, or who may not be in the best physical state of their lives to consider biking as an option

    For my company, AmpedBikes.com, we offer 36v 750watt brushless motors with an average of 20 miles per charge; even more if you pedal for a good portion of your journey. Our kits also can be retrofit to ANY bike you may already have and can be installed in less then an hour.

    Chris Ray

    Ampedbikes.com

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