Soaring gas prices drive U.S. scooter sales skyward

Record gasoline prices are driving the ongoing transformation of the U.S. automotive industry. As consumers trade in gas guzzling SUVs for economy cars, many are also taking things a step further and adopting energy efficient motor scooters as their primary mode of transport.

According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, U.S. scooter sales rose 65.7 percent in the first half of 2008.

While a gasoline fueled scooter holding just one gallon can reportedly travel 70-90 miles without a refill, next-generation electric scooters and currently available electric motor bikes such as those offered by Electric Moto Corporation (OTCPK: EMOT) can travel about 100 miles at 55 MPH on just $.75 worth of electricity versus the $10 of gasoline that would be required to power an economy car.

As we’ve mentioned before, EMOT is Founded by the principal designer of the world record holder for the most number of miles completed by an electric car (the GM battery-swap proof of concept car) EMOT is a rapidly emerging developer of low environmental impact, lithium-ion battery powered motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

In a 9/17/07 Forbes article, writer Patrick Cooke had this to say about EMOT's Blade XTZ model:". . . An astonishingly quick, battery-powered motorbike called the Blade XTZ that equals or outperforms every gas-powered bike in its weight class (200cc--250cc). Best of all, it does so without making a sound". . . "No high-pitched engine whine, no choking blue smoke, no teeth-grinding vibration. And at 178 pounds, it's 25 to 50 pounds lighter and creates more torque (250 pounds) than most of its competition."