Get on yer electric bike

INBOX:ELECTRICITY IS a marvellous thing. But the dream of whizzing through town via a silent, sleekbodied vehicle remains a goal realisable only by the few. Until prices for electric and hybrid cars come down, most of us will continue to buy the cheaper, gas-guzzling alternatives.

But there is one way to buy into electric dreams, and that's by getting an electric scooter - and I don't mean the kind the kids ride to school.

The Powascooter 168 (see Powabyke.com) is one of the latest electric scooters to appear, and it oozes retro cool.

As well as being kind to the environment, it's also pleasing on the eye, featuring classic Vespa-like looks and cool colours (maroon and dark green). It features a direct-drive electric motor which delivers power straight to the rear wheel via an ingenious hub motor. And if you encounter a hill, the bike features a power-mode switch to kick in some extra grunt.

At €2,325, it's pricier than some scooters, but think of the savings you'd make on petrol. One drawback, however, is its slow top speed of 15mph and a range of 25 miles.

Another electric scooter in a similar price bracket is the

Sakura S50 for €1,760 (electricbikesales.co.uk). This cheaper offering comes from a firm that has been in the market for a while.

Able to take two people, it has all the features you would expect to find on a petrol moped. It also has regenerative braking, so when you lift off the throttle, the scooter's momentum will recharge the battery. Now that's what I call smart.

The maximum speed is 30mph and the range is 20 miles.

The G3000 series (see urbanmover.com for Irish dealers and prices) is an entry-level scooter with a hub motor, an impressive top speed of 42mph and a 30-mile range.

It has the usual features, like disc brakes, but also sports a fast charge to 90 per cent in less than two hours and a two-speed restriction option which improves overall performance and range.

If you really want some "oomph" from your scooter, then consider the G3000Lx, a high-powered model with a 3,000-watt motor and a 50-mile range.

Electric scooters will - if the problems with the environment are anything to go by - one day be the norm. But even now it's possible to make some savings, both for your pocket and for the planet.