Although it’s a fully Australian development it’s a mode of transport that could certainly electrify much of Asia and it was launched today at Australia’s largest clean and renewable energy show, All-Energy Australia, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Fun and quirky, but definitely practical it’s been developed for global consumption byt managing director of Star 8, Jacob Maimon, who came up with the concept of a solar electric Tuk Tuk, SolarTuk, after an experience in a South Vietnamese village.
“I had taken a ride in a conventional Tuk Tuk and when I got out I saw the driver putting only a small amount of petrol into the tank.
“I asked him why he didn’t fill it up and he said the cost of fuel was prohibitive and he could barely cover his daily expenses with the amount of work he picked up.
“It was then that I envisaged a solar-driven Tuk Tuk with an petrol engine as back-up, which cost next to nothing to run.”
The SolarTuk factory is being built in Cambodia by Star 8, and will manufacture four different designs with three petrol engine capacities of 650cc, 800cc and 1000cc.
They will be made in 10 colours, each containing two batteries, one battery will be charging while the other is in use, and will cost between $2000 and $3000.
They will be available with a single, lightweight, mono-crystalline flexible panel roof with a half kilowatt capacity, an 800 watt double roof, a one kilowatt double roof and a one kilowatt double roof with legs.
With a top speed of 50 kilometres an hour, the new age Tuk Tuks will be able to cover up to 120km before requiring a recharge, which can be achieved via the sun or a conventional power point.
Star 8 is in discussion with China, India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Bangladesh, South Africa and Nigeria about their product and its manufacturing.
Mr Maimon said the upside of these vehicles goes far beyond their “green credentials”.
“Importantly, the energy generated by these solar electric Tuk Tuks will enable many Asian families without access to adequate heating, lighting and cooking to properly cater for their families for the first time.”
More about All-Energy Australia 2013 can be found at www.all-energy.com.au or find out more about Tuk Tuks on the Star8 website at http://www.star8.com.au/solar-tuk-tuk/
2 Responses
How fantastic are these,but don’t know how the tuk tuk drivers will be able to afford to buy one? Would be great if these were also available within the city areas to cut down on inner city pollution.
What about performance on rainy days..?