English startup EAV (Electric Assisted Vehicles) has launched a fully temperature-controlled eCargo bike. Designed for urban delivery of chilled or frozen goods within a continuous cold chain, the EAVcool Cargo is a purpose-built, zero-emissions quadracycle.
Developed with the manufacturer of refrigerated vehicle conversions Solomon Commercials, the EAVcool comes under the categories of electric cargo bike, delivery pedelec or light electric vehicle but with the speciality of two completely independent rear temperature-controlled compartments for frozen (down to -18) or chilled goods. The small and manoeuvrable size of this EV enables this delivery vehicle to access high-density areas, requiring less space and energy than a truck or van. The makers have designed the refrigerated electric cargo bike specifically to meet the current challenges for inner-city delivery firms and already launched variants for other delivery types in August this year.
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.” He explained, “EAV’s contribution is increased efficiency and a very significant reduction in both pollution and congestion”
This light electric vehicle measures 78 inches long (2 metres) by 39 inches wide (one metre), weighs 264 pounds and can carry a 264-pound payload (120 kg). Using an “e-nertia boost” button, a 250-watt motor helps the rider accelerate up to an initial 3.7 mph (6 km/h) and then on to a maximum pedal-assisted 15 mph (25 km/h). Though the current flourish in light electric vehicles have made new road use laws necessary in many places but depending on the location, this vehicle could potentially qualify for the use of both bike paths and in main traffic, as well as mixed-use pedestrian and bicycle zones.
The manufacturer states that the EAVcool can cover a range of up to 60 miles (around 100 km) in a day, before recharging, though with electrically assisted vehicles, this, of course, depends entirely on the level of body use for the rider. The electric quadracycle can be recharged using a regular household socket to be fully re-charged in under six hours. However, for delivery providers that want to use their vehicles around the clock, batteries can also be swapped to keep the EAVcool in constant use.
Temperature control is maintained onboard by a 12v cooling system from Dometic. This is where this vehicle differentiates from cooler boxes or chill bags often used in vans, cars, motorcycles and mopeds, that break the cycle of cold chain logistics cycle and lose temperature control. With this electric delivery quadracycle, frozen and chilled products are continuously kept at their optimum temperature ensuring that they are delivered at the same temperature they were packed.
Adam Barmby, technical director at EAV summarised the advantages of this vehicle type: “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.”
