Sanyo Electric unveiled a new electric hybrid bicycle that can triple the user's pedal power to make it easier to climb hills. Equipped with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the "eneloop bike" takes the crossover between a normal bicycle and a moped one-step further, aiming to tap growing interest in tackling global warming. The system harnesses energy from braking when the bike goes downhill, and can add extra power equivalent to double the rider's pedal force for going uphill, in line with relaxed government restrictions on such systems.

The Sanyo Electric hybrid bicycle will cost approx $1,430 and will be available from Feb 2009 in Japan.

[i4u] And [Sanyo]