Lexus hybrid bicycle: Both-wheel drive ?!?

Ajax

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 2, 2008
316
31
Lexus hybrid bicycle: Both-wheel drive

By Rory Reid on 29 April 2010, 1:50pm

Lexus looks set to expand its range of hybrid vehicles in a manner which almost nobody saw coming. Its next concept project, bizarrely enough, is a hybrid bicycle. Say what now?

Don't adjust your LCDs, this really is a two-wheeled Lexus. But although it's a hybrid, it doesn't rely on a combination of electric and petrol power. Instead, it supplements the rider's pedal power to the rear wheel with a 25.9V lithium-ion battery pack and a 240W electric motor driving the front wheel, making it both-wheel drive.

Lexus hybrid bicycle: Both-wheel drive - Crave at CNET UK
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would someone kindly shoot that reporter... Hybrid? Both-wheel drive?
 

matt-derby

Pedelecer
May 7, 2009
57
0
Derby UK
They just mean 'you' power the rear, the motor the front! A lot of peoples first comments when I tell them about my bike is the same.. "oh neat.. 2 wheel drive!"

The term Hybrid is also banded about a lot at the moment, meaning a road/track commuting sports utility etc etc
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,152
30,567
The reporter is absolutely right, it is a true hybrid, meaning it has two power sources using different fuels, and it is both wheel drive.

This is unlike Toyota's Prius up to now which has not been a hybrid at all despite their claims, it's just a petrol car which recovers some of the expended petrol energy by electrical means. This is currently changing since the new Prius in future will have mains charging as well, giving it two fuels.
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