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[skadamo]

Looks like electric motorcycles are getting the blessing of the big 4.  I honestly did not think it would happen so soon.  $1900???  wow.

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/09/10/electric-motorcycles-from-honda-and-yamaha/

The motorcycles, which will be powered by lithium-ion batteries and sold to both businesses and to individual drivers, will range in price from 200,000 to 400,000 yen ($1,900 to $3,700), the news service reported. Yamaha plans to debut its electric bikes by 2010, while Honda will introduce its version in 2011, Nikkei said.

[skadamo]

A little more information...

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/09/report-honda-ya.html

Both firms hope to bring to market electric motorcycles that perform on a par with bikes with 50 cc engine displacements. The vehicles will be powered by high-performance lithium ion batteries.

Since the two command a combined 30% share of the global motorcycle market, their moves could spark demand for environmentally friendly offerings at home and abroad.

So basically they will be electric Honda Cubs.  It is cool to see but the bigger bike market share won't be touched.  If anything battery costs will come down.  Quantya, Zero, Vectrix, Brammo and all the pioneers have plenty of time to root themselves deep in the electric motorcycle market. 

[xring]

Wow!  That should make the electric motorcycle world quite a bit more interesting!