The noise and fumes produced by the more than 20,000 mopeds and motorcycles on Bermuda's roads could become a thing of the past if Hugh Watlington's idea catches on.

Mr. Watlington rides a bike propelled by an electric motor. It looks pretty much like a conventional cycle, except for the absence of a muffler, but when you twist the accelerator and go, there is no roaring engine and no emissions. Just smooth, silent forward motion.

So impressed is Mr. Watlington with the electric bike that he purchased for his own use that he has now created a business out of his desire to encourage fellow Bermudians to follow suit.

He has made an agreement with EVTAmerica, the makers of his own bike, to become the company's sole distributor in Bermuda, under the dealership name of EV Bermuda. His first container-load of some 28 electric bikes should arrive on the Island by the end of September.

The new Z-20 bikes that he will be importing will be driven by 2,500-watt motors ¿ far more powerful than the 1,500-watt bike that he rides now. EVTAmerica claims the Z-20's 60-volt brushless hub motor is "far more reliable, powerful and efficient than any other electric motor used to date on any two wheeled electric vehicle built".

"This is a real go-green machine," Mr. Watlington said. "It is powered by silicon batteries, it can reach speeds of 45 miles per hour and it can travel 30 to 45 miles on a full charge. It's an ideal vehicle for Bermuda's road."

While your motoring fuel bills will disappear with this bike, your electricty bill will rise. The bike's small, portable charger can by plugged in to any power source in order to charge up the bike. It takes around six hours to give the bike a full charge.

The manufacturers' web-site claims a full charge requires 1.8 to 2.2 kilowatt hours. According to electricity supplier Belco's web-site, each kilowatt hour for a residential customer costs between 15.6 and 21.9 cents. That means a full charge-up for the scooter would cost less than 50 cents, excluding Belco's fuel surcharge, which varies from month to month.

"Belco has been very supportive and will unload the container and charge up the bikes there," Mr. Watlington said. "Belco is also thinking about taking some of the bikes for its meter readers. HSBC may take some for its courier service and the Post Office may also take some for its delivery staff. There has been tremendous interest. I would say I've got around 55 people who are very interested in buying a bike."

EV Bermuda will be selling its first batch of electric bikes at a special, introductory price of $2,800 each, though Mr. Watlington expects that price to rise for the next shipment, as the manufacturer incorporates the cost of new techology.

Anyone interested in knowing more about the bikes can contact Mr. Watlington on 504-8988.