A Japanese zero-emission "hybrid" scooter to be released next year runs 10 times as economically as a petrol engine bike and can be assisted by human pedal power, its maker said on Thursday.

The Miletto, developed by auto equipment maker PROSTAFF, will make its debut at ¥156 900 (about R13 400) in 12 colours, the company said.

"It normally runs with battery power, but on a steep hill the rider would work the pedals to assist," said Ryo Teranishi, a planning official for the company, which is based in the central Japanese city of Ichinomiya.

"It's a zero-emission vehicle in itself but this hybrid of an electric motor and manpower makes it even more environmentally friendly," he told AFP.

With a single charge, which takes between two and four hours, the Miletto can run 35 kilometres on a flat road without pedalling.

That means it can travel three kilometres on one yen (about R0.07), roughly 10 times as economical as a conventional scooter, the company said.

The company has no specific plans at the moment to sell the scooter abroad.

AFP

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