| While the United States is beginning to gain | | | | going uphill. |
| awareness about electric cars, Japan is beginning to | | | | The bikes weigh between 23.2 and 27 kilograms, all |
| see a rise of pedestrians riding on electric bikes. | | | | of which are powered by a lithium-ion battery. |
| What's the difference between the electric bike and | | | | Drivers can choose between three modes: |
| the traditional bicycle, you say? For one, | | | | automatic (being able to move around without |
| battery-powered bikes can boost its speed | | | | pedaling), power (speed boosts once the driver |
| depending on how hard you pedal. Some models | | | | pedals harder), and "auto-eco plus" (the slowest |
| have motors that only start once you stop pedaling | | | | among the three modes, but with the farthest |
| (so you won't smell like an old sock upon arriving at | | | | distance traveled in a single charge). |
| the office). | | | | The flagship model, the PAS-CITY M, weighs 27 kilos |
| Yamaha, one of Japan's bike powerhouses, has | | | | and can run for up to 32km in auto-eco plus mode. |
| announced that they are coming up with five new | | | | Charging time takes two to three hours. These |
| electric bikes, all of which are unlikely to be shipped | | | | new models target women in particular and are |
| outside the Land of the Rising Sun. These new | | | | available in colors such as "cherry pink" (pictured) and |
| models, all part of the PAS series, feature a "smooth | | | | "cosmetic orange. |
| driving behavior," especially during acceleration or | | | | |