Holy Hybrid!

HOLY HYBRID!

For Piaggio, scooters aren't efficient enough. Two hybrid prototypes are currently being tested: a Vespa LX5O and 125cc Piagglo X8. In addition to the standard gas engine, an electric motor also drives the rear wheel. The combustion engine and/or regenerative braking

charge the underseat batter les. Depending on operat ing mode, power can be shifted from gas ) and battery for best performance to pure electric for inner-city zero-emissions zones. Throttle is fly-by-wire, and overall fuel effi ciency is increased by 20 percent. There is still a long way to go, but Piaggio plans to put its hybrid scooters into production in a wide variety of models. -Bruno dePrato