Trying Out An ELF, A Solar Battery Assisted Bicycle - WFAE

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Trying Out An ELF, A Solar Battery Assisted Bicycle
WFAE
Alternative fuel vehicles are showing up more often on the roads these days, as some drivers look for eco-friendly ways to get around. Hybrids and electric cars are fast enough for the highway. But what if you want something simpler? I recently had a chance to test drive an ELF - an electric assisted bicycle made here in North Carolina.

ELF stands for Electric, Light and Fun -- three words that describe the three-wheeled vehicles made by Organic Transit in Durham. These sleek, recumbent bicycles -- the kind you sit down to ride - come with pedals, handlebars and hand-brakes, as on any bicycle.

But the ELF also has a lightweight shell with solar panels on top to charge a battery that gives you a little extra boost when you need it.

The electric motor kicks in as I drive the ELF up an incline. It's really nice to have that extra boost.

You can drive the ELF without pedaling, but the exercise is half the reason to choose a vehicle like this, says Organic Transit founder Rob Cotter.

“A lot of people are becoming very cognizant of that health benefit, the economic benefit, the environmental benefits. And then, it's just a lot of fun to be riding in ... it's kind of like going on vacation every time you hop in,” ...

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