The industry has been promising us electric vehicles “for everyone” for years, but the reality is that many cities do not even have enough outlets, and the batteries are quite expensive… And it seems impossible that we are going to make the transition jump, well now solar motorcycles have appeared, something many have been dreaming of for years, motorcycles that generate their own energy and move without depending on anything, neither gasoline, nor cables, nor charging stations. Sun, wheels and road.
The proposal comes from Solaris, a prototype created by MASK Architects that claims to be the first self-sufficient solar motorcycle in the world. And although its name sounds like a rocket, the idea has its feet on the ground and is nothing more than a vehicle that feeds on light and can travel indefinitely as long as there is sun.
A solar motorcycle
It is not only electric, this motorcycle does not need to connect to anything to produce energy, it carries photovoltaic wings that unfold when it is stopped, it absorbs energy, stores it and can operate with what it stores.
According to its creators, the system can produce up to 150% of the energy needed to circulate. And it not only sustains itself, it manages to have excess to work properly.
What else does Solaris have?
Beyond the futuristic concept, it looks like a mountain bike. It is low, slim, with sharp curves… Its designers say its design is inspired by the leopard, speed, agility and no dead weight.
This approach is not only aesthetic, but they seek to reduce air resistance, save energy and give the rider a lighter and more fun experience, both in the city and on long trips.
What does the world gain with a motorcycle that charges itself?
This motorcycle is not just a “green” motorcycle, it avoids you having to wait in lines to charge, waste time… and above all you will not need to depend on the price of electricity to move. Mobility without structure we could say, without networks or bills.
Three consequences
- It does not pollute: neither directly nor indirectly (because many electric vehicles still use energy from fossil plants).
- It does not cost money to keep it beyond basic maintenance.
- If there is sun you move forward, if not, you have to wait, but you do not spend money, think of that side as positive.
Why would it work?
Because current electrification is designed for richer countries where the electrical grid is quite stable and there are subsidies to install fast chargers. Other places that do not have this “luck” have a harder time moving towards a sustainable mobility model.
That is why solar energy is one of the easiest solutions to implement, it is available in much of the planet (especially in “economically precarious” areas, but where the sun is abundant, like Latin America, Asia or rural areas of Europe), this way vehicles will be able to generate their own dependence.
Leading the energy transition
Nobody who knows a bit about what we are talking about will think it is a bad idea, electric cars are expensive, heavy and depend on gigantic systems to work well. These motorcycles are light, cheaper to make and now, cheaper to use.
Although it seems that it makes no sense, this could be the entry to a new generation of renewable vehicles, they can charge while you work, travel many kilometers without a plug and on top of that generating zero emissions.
But Solaris is not for sale… yet
As of today it is a prototype, we are sorry for having created this hype. But the warning is there, whoever wants will be able to make the future not depend on plugs, cables or gigantic infrastructures, but only on the sun. It is crazy, huh
Utopia or preview of what is coming?
Maybe Solaris never reaches the market as it is planned, or maybe we will see that there are countries where the electrical grids cannot support EVs and another alternative will have to be found… the important thing is to look for ways to move without polluting… and trying to depend as little as possible on other factors!