I happened to grab the latest copy of my favourite electronics mag the other day which featured on the cover the Vectrix electric motor bike. Sort of a cross between a motorbike and a scooter, this appealed to me on so many levels.

It has around a 100km range at an average speed of 40km/h, which would suit many a suburban commuter. OK, it isn't going to handle a crossing of the Nullarbor, but then neither would the Honda Spacey. It is designed for a different task. If you live within 20 or 30km from work and use a motor bike, then this would suit you down to the ground.

The price is a little hefty at around 2 to 3 times the price of a competing motor scooter, but you then have to factor in that you don't have any fuel costs, apart from an overnight charge. If you are using Green Power or a grid-interactive solar system, then the cost to the planet starts to plummet.

It will be interesting to see how this catches on.