BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Electric bicycle brand, Powacycle is currently developing a solar charger for the Infineum range of e-bikes, BikeBiz can exclusively reveal.
The solar charger will be built into a module that can be attached to the battery in the luggage rack of the Infineum stackable battery system. While the bike is in use, the charger is closed and looks like an extra battery. However, when the bike is stationary the charger can be opened revealing three high efficiency polycrystalline solar panels which give a combined rating of 15W at 0.4A.
Harlow-based Akhter, the parent company of the bike brand, has a strong background in battery technologies and solar panelling. Akhter chief executive, Prof. Humayun Mughal is the mind behind the new technology and a patent is now pending.
Powacycle MD Wazz Mughal told BikeBiz: "The idea came from our chairman who has a deep interest in solar panels as a result of him opening a solar panel manufacturing facility. The idea behind it is that we are always looking for ways to improve the range of an electric bicycle, and commuters could leave their bicycle outside in the sun for the majority of the day.
“Instead of the bicycle just sitting there all day he thought it would be a good idea to harness the power of the sun to regenerate the battery.”
The solar charger is currently in research and development, but Mughal added: “The electric bicycle market is continuing to grow, and we are continually looking for ways to improve our products and give the best to our customers. Our stackable battery system allows modular components other than batteries to be developed and attached to the bicycle.”
