Ever wanted to have a tricycle that’s no bigger than a suitcase when folded? Dutch-based Trikelet BV is about to make your dream come true, as their electric vehicles claimed the title of the world’s smallest foldable EV.
The Trikelet electric vehicle is currently in the prototype stage. The 500-700 W motor that powers the current version can help travelers cover a distance of up to 15 km, at a top speed of 20 km/h. In terms of power consumption, Trikelet only needs 1 kWh for every 70 km, which really isn’t that much, so this vehicle is not compact and convenient, but also very economical.
At 12 kg and 800 x 290 mm when unfolded, Trikelet is light and small enough to carry single-handedly. The clever folding mechanism helps people to pack it away quite easily.
As I mentioned in the title, Trikelet is perfect for commuting. That is, if you don’t have to travel more than 15 km to get to work. However, if the distance between your workplace and your home is greater than that, you can easily fold Trikelet and use it as a piece of luggage while traveling by train. After all, this electric tricycle looks very much like a trolley bag while folded, so it will definitely be inconspicuous while folded.
Trikelet BV claims that this vehicle is still work in progress, so it might take a while until it hits the market. In the development of this electric scooter, the manufacturer might require additional financing, so don’t be surprised if you see a crowdfunding campaign built around this product. The manufacturer estimates that the mass produced version will cost something between $1,400 and $2,000. I’m not sure what was the most expensive item featured on Kickstarter or Indiegogo, but this electric scooter definitely occupies a spot at the top.
Check out the following video to see how the Trikelet looks and feels in real life situations:
I’m glad to see more and more eco-friendly vehicles coming out, as variety is the key to keeping all sorts of people happy. The ones who can’t afford buying an electric car might want to consider an electric vehicle such as Trikelet. In the ideal situation, all these electric vehicles would draw energy that was generated using renewable methods.
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