Electric Assisted Vehicles (EAV) has launched a new temperature-controlled electric cargo bike for urban delivery of chilled or frozen goods. The company claims the bike is the first of its kind in the world.
The EAVcool quadracycle measures 2 x 1m, weighs 120kg and can carry a payload of 120kg. Using an e-nertia boost button, a 250W motor helps the rider accelerate up to an initial 6km/h (3.7mph) and then on to a maximum pedal-assisted 25km/h (15mph).
The vehicle, developed alongside Solomon Commercials, has a range of up to 60 miles. It can then be recharged in under six hours using a normal 13A, 240V plug socket. Batteries can also be swapped to keep the EAVcool in constant use.
The cargo space provides two independent compartments for frozen and chilled products. Temperature control is maintained on board by an efficient 12V cooling system from Dometic. To guarantee fresh deliveries, the EAVcool can maintain frozen and chilled products at their optimum temperature.
Nigel Gordon-Stewart, executive chairman of EAV, said, “Our program with Solomon Commercials is a further extension of the EAV concept and now allows cool cargo such as perishable foods, nutrient products, flowers, plants, biopharmaceutical products, chemicals and even artwork to be delivered without needing vans or cars and therefore emissions free.”
Adam Barmby, technical director at EAV, added, “EAV is classed as a cargo e-bike, but really, we started from scratch and reimagined an entirely new type of vehicle to operate within the parameters of today’s urban delivery market. It is a modular design, so we can extend or shorten the chassis and change the cargo configuration to fit the brief. In addition to the design flexibility, there is also a whole new set of efficiencies that we are tapping into here. Realistically, the EAVcool can move as fast or faster than a traditional van through many cities because of the different routing it can take.”