Durham, N.C. — Those who live close to work sometimes commute by bike, but Rob Cotter hopes they’ll consider other green machines.

Cotter started Organic Transit in downtown Durham about a year ago to bring environmentally friendly vehicles to the market, such as the Elf, a solar-pedal hybrid that uses solar energy to power a motor.

“It carries, like, eight bags of groceries. You can take it down bike trails. (It’s) very, very efficient and very clean,” Cotter said.

Business has been booming for Organic Transit, which has sold 75 green machines in the past two months, and it's attracting some big-name fans. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld dropped by the office when he performed in Durham earlier this month.

“He's a big bike rider. This fits in between his love of sports cars and bicycles,” Cotter said.

At a base price of $4,000, an Organic Transit vehicle could be a perfect solution for an urban commuter.

“People can commute to work, come in on electric power, come in clean, refreshed (and) out of the rain,” Cotter said.

Users let it charge in the sun all day, pedal it home at night, and the charged battery is ready in the morning. Cotter says the vehicles could play a big role in the future of clean transportation. But, he says, the Organic Transit trikes have another big selling point.

“It's fun. These vehicles are a lot of fun to ride. You get in it, and you can't stop smiling,” he said.

The bodies and frames are manufactured in North Carolina and assembled in Durham. Organic Transit is testing some new models in the next few months that might show up on Triangle roads.

The company is planning to expand into Europe and Asia.