At first a look at the Ecotrike is quite amusing. This three wheeled vehicle might be very similar to auto rickshaws in design. But one thing that really makes it stand apart is that this scintillating beauty is powered by the sun. 12 years of research has developed Ecotrike by Dr. Andy Schoenberg, former University of Utah engineering professor, this vehicle is a zero emission which is run by electric motors of less than 5 hp. The Photovoltaic panels on the roof of the vehicle enable the batteries to get charged and stored. Half the size of a traditional car, the sleek design makes it a light weight vehicle weighing only one tenth the weight of a normal car. Fit for slow speed roads, it runs at a speed of 30 mph for an hour on full charge. So leisurely bask in the afternoon sun while the batteries charge side by side, you can also get some exercise by pedaling the electric generator for extra charge required for uphill. While at the shopping center just tilt this light weight vehicle (the sleek design requires just half the parking space of that of a conventional vehicle) towards the sun and it will continue to charge. As the professor puts it,
In the morning, for example, you double the amount of current going into the batteries by facing the sun. The energy replenishes as the sun beats down on rooftop collectors. I’m negotiating right now with a company in China that’s supplying lithium iron batteries that can store three times more energy per pound.
Perfect for a single driver it is not meant to carry heavy loads. Ideal for a trip to the local shopping center the Ecotrike is not aimed at replacing existing vehicular system but it is a choice to use zero emission vehicles for a drive that need less than an hour. Although a lot of research is still required to make this prototype a commercial success, the Ecotrike are already becoming a hit in Millcreek Canyon in Utah, where people are just too excited to see the vehicle. Via: SLTRIB
