In addition to individual electric bikes, the Ukrainian company Delfast is working on the creation of a three-wheeled cargo electric bike, Delfast Trike. The developers say that such transport will be useful for small businesses and individual entrepreneurs looking for a greener way to deliver goods around the city.
The Trike project, which was made possible with the support of the USAID Competitive Economy Program in Ukraine, is under development, and now we can only consider the design. Yesterday, the company announced that the frame of the Delfast electric cargo tricycle is finalized and in the last stage of development.
It is noted that the engineers conducted simulations checking the strength of materials and taking into account various loads. As a result, steel was chosen as the main material for future Trike. According to the company, steel is more ductile compared to aluminum, which is rather fragile and accumulates fatigue. Also, steel is elastic enough to return to its previous state after the load is removed.
The frame size is reported to be 950mm between the rear wheels with a maximum length of 2500mm.
The Delfast Trike will be complemented by side mirrors and a canopy over the driver’s head. This will make it safer and also provide the driver with shelter from the rain. This shield can be easily removed and replaced if necessary, allowing it to adapt to the current weather and season.
The main feature of the e-bike is a new type of battery that will allow the bike to function in extreme weather conditions. The Trike operates at -20°C as well as at +60°C and can withstand the fast charging with a guaranteed 1500 charges/discharges. Since this factor is important for commercial vehicles, the project team is also working on the development of a dedicated stationary charger. The Trike will be able to carry up to 300 kg of cargo, and, if necessary, reaches a speed of 40 km/h (25 mph) and the expected per charge range is 100 km (68 miles).
The team of engineers and designers have created a 3D model of the frame and are currently preparing the design documentation for the factory.
In April this year, it is become known that the Ukrainian company Delfast began work on the design and development of the Trike three-wheeled cargo electric bike under a grant from USAID. Also recently, the Ukrainian company presented an updated electric bike Delfast Top 3.0 with a belt drive and other improvements.
