It's likely our readers remember the electric bicycle Vanmoof 10 with its conventional design, or the Storm that aims to shake up the market with its low cost. In most cases, the main ways to recharge the battery are our legs or a power outlet, but the new LEAOS Solar incorporates solar panels into its frame, so under the right conditions the bike becomes almost self-sufficient.
Last week I observed a couple on a motorized bicycle. They were going much faster than I would have imagined, yet they looked very comfortable. It is just one more expression in the process of revaluation that the bicycle is undergoing as a personal means of transport. Not everyone is ready to replace their cars with motorcycles and bicycles, but more and more people are considering the possibility, and that in itself is a huge change. Now, installing an internal combustion engine on a bicycle changes things to a certain extent. Electric designs are the ones that provide the greatest balance, however, the initial cost and charging times can erode the enthusiasm of many users. The price aspect still needs to be polished, while that of energy opens its arms to a rather striking solution.
The LEAOS Solar
LEAOS has presented its new model, the LEAOS Solar. As its name indicates, this electric bicycle incorporates solar technology through panels installed strategically in its frame. The panels, despite their impressive thinness, modify the weight of the bicycle, and to maintain the balance LEAOS has resorted to carbon fiber in the creation of the frame. The self-sufficient range of the LEAOS Solar is 16 kilometers in full electric mode, but it can be extended to 20 kilometers if assisted by pedaling. The battery in the LEAOS Solar is 36 volts, and although its charging is relatively quick when connected to the electrical grid, the solar panels require about 24 hours of sun exposure.
LEAOS still needs to adjust certain technical details on its electric bicycle, such as the angle of the panels and the surface coverage. At the same time, the price aspect mentioned above remains to be resolved. Last year LEAOS tried to appeal to crowdfunding, but without success. Today, pre-orders for the LEAOS Solar start at 7,900 euros, a cost not easy to digest if the idea is to be more efficient when it comes to getting around.
