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Solar E-Trike

An electric evolution in concept bikes.

We created the Solar E-Trike system out of a desire to build a 100% off-grid, solar-electric commuter vehicle, capable of multiple trips to the outer NYC boroughs on a single charge. The goal was to give green tech some sex appeal. Previously green technology was utilitarian, and “pod-like”. (Nobody ever crossed the street to look at a Prius.) The 15hp Mars Electric motor is powered by four 12 volt lead acid batteries, giving the trike a top of 45 mph over a 20 mile range. The batteries are charged using six 125 watt solar panels, mounted on the roof of the shop. The panels charge two separate 12 volt, 15 amp-hour sealed lead acid batteries, housed inside the shop during daylight hours, then transfers the charge to the bike at night. The goal here was to build a totally off-grid electric vehicle system using readily available technology on a budget.

The Solar E-Trike is hand made using carbon steel tubing coated with midnight black powder. All the electric hand tools used in creating the Trike were run using off-grid solar energy.