Behold, an Electric Scooter Made from Plants

In this world, nothing is what it seems. Bagels are not really a health food, dream boyfriends turn out to be players, and scooters are actually plants. This latter cunning deception has been wrought by the Dutch design firm Waarmakers and more specifically its resident geniuses Maarten Heijltjes and Simon Akkaya, who have fashioned an electric scooter from our chlorophyllous friends.

Who knew compressed plants could be such a great way to get around? Created in collaboration with InHolland University of Applied Science and NPSP composites for Van.Eko, the Be.e scooter is both eco-friendly and stylish. Its frameless monocoque body trades metal, plastic and glass-fibre composites for NFCs (natural fibre-reinforced composites of flax, hemp and bio-resin). The trick is, the external skin of the scooter supports the load, without any need for a frame.

The distinctive windscreen boasts a dirt and water-repelling nano-coating, prepping it for use in the wet and wild Netherlands, and its 48V 40AH battery powered with a 600 W charger provides 2 hours of carefree cruising. The Be.e can travel at up to 55km/hr and climb an incline of 15%. There are even USB charging ports in the dashboard for all your devices. It's no magic carpet, but with further models in development, this green machine may one day be a common way to travel.

Via PSFK