Sewage drives new motorcycle
Source: Agencies |
November 12, 2011, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE Neo Part motorcycle and part toilet runs on eco-friendly biogas produced from sewage, and recently completed a journey of more than 1,000 kilometers across Japan.
The three-wheeled vehicle, developed by Japanese toilet maker Toto, features a toilet for a seat and has a giant roll of toilet paper mounted on the back that flutters in the breeze as the bike cruises.
But there are no plans to put the bike on sale - Toto intends to put it on display.
The biogas used as fuel for the Neo is produced from a combination of household sewage and livestock waste, broken down and fermented, according to company spokesman Kenji Fujita.
"Although the seat of the bike is a toilet, it is not for actual use. The fuel is eco-friendly biogas, stored in the tanks," he said. "It is a surprisingly nice way to travel."
The 380-kilogram motorcycle can run for 300km and reach speeds of up to 70kph.
Ichie Tanaka, one of six people who rode the Neo across Japan during a three-week, 1,400km tour to promote biofuels, said: "When I saw the bike, I was taken aback. But after riding it, I found it quite interesting."
The three-wheeled vehicle, developed by Japanese toilet maker Toto, features a toilet for a seat and has a giant roll of toilet paper mounted on the back that flutters in the breeze as the bike cruises.
But there are no plans to put the bike on sale - Toto intends to put it on display.
The biogas used as fuel for the Neo is produced from a combination of household sewage and livestock waste, broken down and fermented, according to company spokesman Kenji Fujita.
"Although the seat of the bike is a toilet, it is not for actual use. The fuel is eco-friendly biogas, stored in the tanks," he said. "It is a surprisingly nice way to travel."
The 380-kilogram motorcycle can run for 300km and reach speeds of up to 70kph.
Ichie Tanaka, one of six people who rode the Neo across Japan during a three-week, 1,400km tour to promote biofuels, said: "When I saw the bike, I was taken aback. But after riding it, I found it quite interesting."
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