Super Eco

Photo credit: Zap

Super Eco is blown away by the coolness factor—not to mention the outstanding eco factor—of electric scooters and mopeds. Once considered barely more than a bicycle and way less than a motorcycle, mopeds and scooters can now be seen economically flitting about almost any urban landscape. Ever been to Paris? Then you've been treated to the nighttime sounds of the Motobécane Mobylette. And we won't even begin to talk about Italy, where all things good and scooterish come from. Why do you need one? Simple!

1. They're efficient. They can go 20-60 miles on a single charge, depending on the scooter and how fast you ride it, at a cost of less than 2 cents per mile.

2. They're clean. Even when fueled by electricity from coal-burning plants, zero-emissions from an electric vehicle of any kind trumps gasoline-powered vehicles in environmental impact. So plug in without guilt.

3. They're cheap. For under $1000 you can buy an IZIP, what's essentially a bicycle with an electric motor (there's even a folding commuter model). Want more of a motorcycle style? Still under $1K is the Extreme XB-508. Moving up in size and price and requiring a motorcycle license, insurance and registration are a wide variety of choices. We like the Zap Zapino ($3495), the e-Moto Classic ($3095), and the Skeuter Condor (so cool it doesn't need a price).

4. They're parkable. Parking a problem? Not with a scooter. Park these babies almost anywhere. You might even be able to take the battery with you.

5. They're cool. Did we mention cool? From retro-Vespa joy to uber-futuristic, there's a style for you.

6. They're easier to take care of than ponies. Faster, too. But we expect rides; we'll be over in an hour.