Norwegian startup Infinite Mobility has designed a lightweight tuk-tuk (tricycle) powered by solar energy, seeking to offer a solution to the challenges of traffic congestion, increasing energy consumption and exposure of pedestrians to pollution.
“We were discussing some of the largest challenges facing smart cities as well as sustainability, government regulation, limited parking spaces, EV charging challenges, the total cost of owning a vehicle and the fact that transporting a 75 kg passenger in a 1500 kg car over a short distance is unsustainable,” Lupi Love, CEO at Infinity Mobility, told Futures.TV.
“It is literally a transport of metal rather than human. It should not be like that. We need new sustainable solutions that provide our daily mobility while not compromising our comfort, safety and wellbeing.”
The tuk-tuk model, named Oslo, is a vehicle with three wheels and runs on solar photovoltaic (PV) cells with a top speed of 45kph. It has one wheel in the front and two in the rear, and can carry three passengers.
Equipped with heavy-duty suspension and a robust body, the company stated its solar-powered tuk-tuk is designed for the city and perfect for quick transport, taxi, or product deliveries.
In addition, the integrated solar panels on the vehicle can cover up to 12,000km per year with full self-sufficiency, making the tuk-tuk environmentally friendly.
Compared to traditional transport like cars or buses, micro-vehicles such as the tuk-tuk consume 74 per cent less energy because it’s lighter. By using solar energy, it produces fewer emissions.
According to the company, it plans to offer solar-powered tuk-tuk as a transport option in congested cities worldwide like Manila, New York City, and New Delhi.
The solar-powered tuk-tuk is priced at US$6000 on Infinite Mobility’s website.
