Hama shows off solar-powered bike

Japanese firm Hama Zero showed off the Solar Bike Fujin at EVEX 2010. It's a solar-powered bike that can go 220 kilometers on a full charge, it has a top speed of 72km/h and small wheels with very low rolling resistance. The bike is designed for commuters, the company claims the solar cells on the bike's wing will provide enough juice to the battery to give you a range of about 50 kilometers by the time you're ready to go home from your 9-to-5 job.

It is, however, powered by the sun, able to run 220km on a full charge or, thanks to its aerodynamically profiled solar wings, can give itself 50km worth of juice just by sitting in the sun while you put in your 9-to-5. This is helped by incredibly low rolling-resistance wheels, the front one able to keep rotating for 20 minutes on its own with just a gentle spin, technology borrowed from creator Mr. Yamawaki's Minerva rover that was part of the Hayabusa probe.

Source: Engadget