Pedal powered hybrid car

PEDAL POWER: Pedals allow the driver and passengers to help the hybrid I+SOLO system, which consists of lithium-ion batteries.

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If your hip-pocket nerve has been suffering thanks to rising fuel prices, then the prospect of doing 100 kilometres on 1.8 litres of petrol might sound pretty good.

But before you rush out to buy the latest super-economical vehicle, the I+SOLO, be warned: some pedalling is involved.

The Hungarian manufacturers of this three-seater believe there is a market for a vehicle that requires human input along with the more conventional form of propulsion.

Pedals allow the driver and passengers to help the hybrid system, which consists of lithium-ion batteries that power four electric hub motors and a multi-fuel engine that can be used for long-distance trips. "[The pedals] make it possible to exercise while travelling," the company enthuses on its website, solo-duo.hu.

To round out the alternative fuel sources, high-efficiency solar cells positioned on the roof collect, on average, enough energy to travel up to 25 kilometres at city speeds. The first production cars are scheduled to be on the road next year.

But the maker has even loftier ambitions. It is also planning a six-passenger vehicle with a consumption of 2.0-2.5 litres per 100 kilometres and which it claims could be a serious competitor against popular family minivans. And Drive Life thought family road trips couldn't get any more painful.

- © Fairfax NZ News