Piaggio to Release Hybrid Scooters

Italian manufacturer Piaggio has just announced its intentions of developing hybrid versions of its Vespa LX, Piaggio X8 and Vespa MP3 (the 3 wheeler) models.

Referred to as HyS (Hybrid Scooter), the scooters can operate in either full electric mode, or, when the rider needs to accelerate faster, a combination of electric and fuel combustion gives an extra 85% increase in performance. Based on the current level of battery charge, the scooter electronically manages itself, seamlessly switching between the two engines to maximize acceleration and reduce fuel consumption. It even uses a regenerative braking system to redirect energy lost during deceleration back into the battery.

gizmag describes why this bike is perfect high congestion areas:

The rider simply turns a handlebar switch to shut down the combustion engine and turn the Piaggio HyS into a silent zero-emissions vehicle that can go into areas closed to internal combustion engined traffic. Another turn of the switch and the petrol engine turns itself on and goes back to being the main engine, charging the battery as it travels through areas open to normal traffic.

gizmag: Piaggio ready to release 170 mpg hybrid two and three wheel scooters.