These should save tanker loads of oil

Posted Sep 25, 2008 by ■ skeptikool in Environment 9 comments

Advertising

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=5bf2dd5a-1bb8-4e1a-8f35-388708e1aeaf

excerpt:

Toshiba's lightweight and powerful lithium-ion batteries will go into the new Schwinn Tailwind to reach U.S. stores early next year. The Tailwind was launched in La Vegas and New York yesterday. Schwinn claims Tailwind owners will be able to recharge the batteries in 30 minutes from a standard electrical outlet, compared with four hours for electric bikes now on the market.
That means 2,000 recharge life cycles, or twice the present industry standard for the number of charges needed before replacing the batteries. Riders also will be able to travel 40 to 48 kilometres per charge, assuming favourable weather and minimum pedal power. The Tailwind will have a 32,000 kilometre, or two-year, limited warranty.
The retro-chic Tailwind weighs in at about 20 kilograms. It is a hybrid, meaning it will travel under battery power for tackling hills or by pedal power when coming downhill

Google schwinn tailwind for much info including an excellent, brief YouTube presentation (could not link)

Pretty and practical, but price-wise? Please don't punish me for going green.

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Comments (9)

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Posted Sep 25, 2008 by ■ Chris V. Thangham
#1

That's great news, if they could get power from solar, wind or wave, then this will be huge.

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Posted Sep 25, 2008 by ■ Debra Myers
#2

@■ Chris V. Thangham
That's great news, if they could get power from solar, wind or wave, then this will be huge.

Oh heck yeah! Very huge!

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Posted Sep 25, 2008 by ■ skeptikool
#3

Indeed, Chris. These developments must surely increase the drive for greener electricity. And given this, reported yesterday:

http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/money/story.html?id=2acef291-5829-4c05-a050-55870738b858

Things are really looking up.

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Posted Sep 25, 2008 by ■ Cynthia Trowbridge
#4

Here is the link kool :)

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Posted Sep 25, 2008 by ■ skeptikool
#5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mE4KDuxTY8

Funny thing. When I viewed it before, a blocking message showed when I tried to copy the address (url?). Yet I can copy it now from your link. Have to learn to post the shorter version.

Thanks, Cynthia. Aren't they kool?

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Posted Sep 25, 2008 by ■ Cynthia Trowbridge
#6

@■ skeptikool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mE4KDuxTY8

Funny thing. When I viewed it before, a blocking message showed when I tried to copy the address (url?). Yet I can copy it now from your link. Have to learn to post the shorter version.

Thanks, Cynthia. Aren't they kool?

Yep they sure are, kool. :)

Someone else a couple of days ago couldn't link either when I was able to do it.

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Posted Sep 26, 2008 by ■ Debra Myers
#7

@■ skeptikool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mE4KDuxTY8

Funny thing. When I viewed it before, a blocking message showed when I tried to copy the address (url?). Yet I can copy it now from your link. Have to learn to post the shorter version.

Thanks, Cynthia. Aren't they kool?

Very cool! One of these I'd climb onto, no prob!

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Posted Sep 26, 2008 by ■ skeptikool
#8

@■ Debra Myers
Very cool! One of these I'd climb onto, no prob!

Of course you would. Difficult to resist something so seductive. Someone refers to them as Chick Bikes. No! Don't look at me.

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Posted Sep 27, 2008 by ■ Debra Myers
#9

@■ skeptikool
Of course you would. Difficult to resist something so seductive. Someone refers to them as Chick Bikes. No! Don't look at me.

No--they are probably better designed for a 'chick'...which is okay, and no offense was taken! 8 } I could never ride one of those bikes where you were hunched forward...back problems have plagued me for too many years.

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