There’s at least one business that hasn't been hurt by rising gasoline prices.
Ann McSpadden runs Alien Scooters, a small south Austin shop that sells electric bicycles and scooters. And she gets a charge out of bragging about how cheap they are to run. She says your commute can cost three to 10 cents each way depending on the size of the bike’s motor.
Recent innovations are making electric two-wheelers more attractive. New lithium ion batteries let you roam farther than ever.
McSpadden says, “They're a little bit more expensive. But you do get more range. And you do get a longer life span... maybe three to four times what you would with a typical sealed lead acid battery.”
And these bikes are smart. They can tell how much you're pedaling and adjust their power assist accordingly. Some of them have a torque sensor that senses tension on the chain or pressure on the pedals. And that'll help determine how much power to output to help you ease on down the road.
Austin energy is offering a $100 rebate to its customers who buy an electric bike and up to $250 for those who buy an electric scooter. They say they're doing it to help keep Austin's air clean, and electrics have zero emissions.
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