Sanyo Eneloop electric bicycle

The Sanyo Eneloop electric bicycle is rumoured to be coming to Canada. Although we could not find anything official on the Sanyo Canada website just yet http://ca.sanyo.com/, Scooter Underground has heard it will be making it’s debut in the spring of 2010.

If its the same model that we’ve seen in the USA and elsewhere, here are the expected features and specs:

eneloop bike Product Features
The three-speed eneloop bike makes battery-assisted transportation easier on the rider and the environment. For example, its “Loop Charge Function” simultaneously conserves rider and lithium-ion battery energy and makes the Synergetic Hybrid Bicycle a regenerative form of transportation as it creates new energy while coasting or braking.

In addition, electric bike riding becomes smoother, more comfortable and less strenuous with the eneloop bike’s 1:2 human-power to motor assist ratio. Interestingly, SANYO was the first manufacturer to make an electric bicycle that meets this new eBike assist ratio standard in Japan, a standard which provides the rider enough pedal-assist power to facilitate commuting without awkwardly overpowering the rider’s pedaling efforts.

Additional eneloop bike features include:
•    250-Watt DC brushless motor
•    25.9 volt/5.7 Ampere-hour(Ah) lithium-ion battery
•    Charge time ~ 3.5 hours
•    Total bike weight ~ 23 kg
•    Taillight brake lamp
•    Handlebar panel switch
•    High-intensity, flashing LED tail lamp that operate when the headlight is turned on and flash faster when braking
•    Low frame and saddle design to allow easy step-through and mounting
•    Seat that accommodates 26-inch framing
•    Adjustable saddle with a range of 7 inches to accommodate riders of all heights
•    Neatly-designed frame with internal cabling
•    Shaped saddle with shock absorbing elastomer cushion to decrease rider fatigue

Expected riding distances*:
•    Up to 25-30 km in Standard Mode – no charging while riding (with the motor engaged)
(based on company start & stop driving pattern)
•    Up to 30-35 km in Power-Up Mode – regenerative charging via braking only
(based on company continuous riding pattern without stopping)
•    Up to 60 km in Auto Mode – full regenerative charging
(based on company continuous riding pattern without stopping—maximum distance)

*Riding distances are based on company driving patterns

The bike is expected to retail for approx. $2,300 CDN but prices have not been confirmed.

As soon as we have the opportunity to test this bike, we will report test results to our readers. It will be interesting to see how it stacks up to the excellent eZee bike, which we have had the opportunity to test over the last 2 years. (The Sanyo Eneloop is expected to be at a slightly lower price point than the eZee bikes though)