Latest electric car is human-powered

The latest electric car promises not only to cut emissions and reduce fuel costs, but save on the cost of gym membership; the HumanCar Imagine converts the rowing motion of the driver and up to three passengers into speeds of up to 25mph.

The rowing action provides the car’s occupants with brisk exercise whilst at the same time charging a battery that powers an electric motor.

People, not petrol, power

The car can be powered by its passengers, the battery, or any combination of human and electric power.

The car is licensed to use minor roads in America because its speed is limited to 25 mph.

The company has already received 200 orders and expects the vehicles to be priced at around £10,000 each when production begins later this year.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “Human power is an efficient and under-rated source of power for transport, but whether the HumanCar design is superior to the electric-assist cargo bicycles already on the market remains to be seen.”

Human-powered electric hybrids – four wheels versus four

Human-powered vehicles for four	Car versus trike
The HumanCar uses a rowing action to convert human effort into forward motion. It will cost an estimated £10,000.
The Cycle Maximus electric-assist cargo trike is available as a pedicab, which carries four people, or ‘flat bed’ able to carry a cargo of 281kg. With the electric motor option, it costs from £5,000

Cycle insurance (it covers electric bicycles, too)

Cycle insurance from the ETA includes new-for-old, third party insurance (in the case of an accident you may need to seek compensation or even deal with a claim by someone else), personal accident cover and if you suffer a mechanical breakdown, they will come out and recover you and your bike. Oh, and if it’s an electric bike they can cover that, too.