For an environmentally friendly person who feels the need to go further than just purchasing goods that can be recycled and come in recycled packaging, there is always the option to go green with one’s transport. Of course, if commuting requires you to drive great distances, it certainly doesn’t make any sense to pick up an electric bike, but there is always the alternative choice of hopping onto some form of public transport instead. If you are staying a few blocks away from your workplace, however, it would make perfect sense to pick up the Yamaha EC-02 electric bike that does not add additional carbon emissions to the air around.

With a long and proud tradition behind them, it makes perfect sense that Yamaha’s EC-02 electric bike continues to forge new ground in the world of personal transport as it does not use a single drop of gas, relying instead on electricity to move you around. There is only a maximum range of 40 miles, but that ought to be enough to get you to and back from work before you charge it for the next day. A top speed of 18mph won’t be netting you any speeding tickets, but it is fast enough for intra-city use.

The styling cues are definitely worth a look, and I have a feeling that this will be a love-it or hate-it affair. After all, not everyone will fall in love with the huge central section that stores the electric motor within. The banana-shaped seat also doesn’t hold an universal appeal, and will most likely be an acquired taste. The EC-02 comes with chromed teardrop front and rear turn signal pods that harks back to the days of yore, making both future and past meet in the present. Other than the EC-02’s strange styling cues, it comes with other technologically advanced features such as an iPod dock to keep you entertained during your commute. Oh yes, the EC-02 also glows in the dark for aesthetic purposes. It retails for $2,000 but is currently available only in Japan, with no plans to bring it across the Pacific as at press time.

Source: American Inventor Spot