CRESWELL - It looks like a tricycle with a shell on top, but the funny looking vehicle from Creswell is getting more serious looks these days.

It's also sparking new business opportunities for transportation entrepreneurs in Eugene.

We first told you about the Bug-E last year, the first full year of production. Designer Mark Murphy has a few new wrinkles in 2008 for this alternative power-trip.

What has 3-wheels, a fiberglass body and runs on battery power? It's the one seat, personal electronic vehicle called the "Bug-E"--born in 2006.

Designer Mark Murphy of Blue Sky Design explained, "The Bug-E started as kind of an offshoot of our little racer kits that schools build to learn about energy efficiency."

Don't bother pulling into a gas station; the Bug-E runs on four 12 volt batteries. You build it yourself from a kit.

The vehicle goes 30 miles on 15 cents of electricity, and the updated 2008 model can go 50 miles per hour. "Which is important because you've got to be able to keep up with traffic," says Murphy.

This glorified scooter with a shell on top is even spawning some new business ventures in the local area, and that has Murphy really excited.

One of those new efforts is in West Eugene. "So we're really trying to come up with a design that's lightweight, efficient, low cost and simple to put together," explains designer Eric Lanz of Arcimoto Design.

The team from the new company is trying to take the Bug-E to the next level, to make it more like a car.

Frohnmayer explained the modified Bug-E includes, "Disc brakes, improved suspension, something that really has more of the feel of a car driving experience."

All this spin-off innovation is exactly what Mark Murphy has in mind.

"It's local businesses working together, collaborating to create a new product that does make a difference," says Murphy.

Murphy says he sold 30 Bug-E kits last year and expects high gas prices to fuel even more business in 2008.

The guys at Arcimoto Design say they should have their first test vehicle ready to roll by summer.