Vancouver, B.C.’s ENVO is already a longtime ebike model, however this bold firm additionally produces a complete vary of various electrical autos. Along with their commuter, cargo and three-wheeled ebikes, ENVO’s showroom additionally options electrical snow carts, scooters, snow bikes, ATVs, and as of November seventeenth their all-new UPT (Utility Private Transport).
ENVO follows a intelligent enterprise mannequin that enables them to serve area of interest markets, and promote restricted numbers of specialised e-vehicles. In brief, through the use of widespread elements wherever doable they’ll maintain manufacturing prices low sufficient to supply brief run, area of interest merchandise that don’t need to promote 1000’s of items to show a revenue.
Being probably the most bike-focused journalist in attendance, I’m no skilled on e-vehicles that aren’t bicycles. Nonetheless, it was enjoyable to see what ENVO envisions for the way forward for micro e-mobility.
ENVO’s Story:
A few years in the past, Ali Kazemkhani, now the CEO of ENVO, tried to promote ebikes in his residence nation of Iran however the enterprise was not profitable. As soon as he got here to Canada, the hub motors and electronics he had have been bought efficiently as ebike conversion kits. He began his enterprise beneath the title EBike BC, however later created the ENVO model for the kits and full ebikes.
Even their ebike lineup we will see ENVO is all about multi-use, modular designs. Their FLEX ebike, for instance, will be arrange as an city or off-road ebike, a snow bike, or a cargo trike. All these choices are doable utilizing the identical body mounted with totally different equipment. Their D50 ebike is an all-purpose hardtail that may work as a commuter, can accommodate cargo racks or baggage, or will be transformed to deal with MTB trails with some element upgrades.
Fulfilling Area of interest Markets:
ENVO feels the most effective strategy to outlive within the micro electrical mobility world is to meet the wants of many area of interest markets. As this market expands, many various makes use of and functions are arising for small electrical autos. By sharing digital elements and making their autos from widespread supplies (eg. all of the autos are constructed on aluminum frames), ENVO can afford to check {the marketplace} with brief runs of various merchandise. They imagine this strategy will maintain them related and worthwhile within the consistently altering e-mobility realm.
The brand new UPT platform takes their modularity idea to a brand new degree, as ENVO has an infinite listing of doable makes use of and equipment deliberate for this machine. Only a few examples are recreation, farming or basic utility, to not point out municipal makes use of like rubbish assortment, search and rescue, or police patrolling. In actual fact, Vancouver police are already utilizing one in all ENVO’s electrical ATVs to patrol a beachfront park.
The New ENVO UPT:
The disclosing of the UPT was the principle cause ENVO held this media occasion. The brand new ‘Utility Private Transport’ UPT is an evolution of ENVO’s current electrical ATV, however with its personal ground-up design to deal with suggestions from ATV house owners and to massively enhance its modularity.
The obvious and vital change is the transfer to an open platform for the UPT. This platform, mixed with the offset steering column, permits for an enormous vary of makes use of and potential equipment. Something from seats, standing platforms, cargo carriers, plowing or towing attachments, micro-car our bodies, and many others. could possibly be produced as UPT add-ons. ENVO has one design in thoughts that could possibly be splendid for search and rescue groups.
The UPT’s lowered ‘pass-through’ center part and offset handlebar depart room for cargo gadgets for much longer than the platform itself. The handlebar itself will be positioned within the heart of the steering column, or off to at least one aspect. The steering column will also be tilted, and even reversed to make use of the UPT’s whole deck as a cargo space (with a standing platform added for the motive force). There are a number of attachment factors across the platform to host varied equipment.
Primarily based on suggestions from their electrical ATV, ENVO needed to maintain the UPT’s deck low for steady dealing with. Utilizing a hub motor in every wheel retains the deck open for cargo area, but in addition permits ENVO to supply 4 wheel drive, traction management, and regenerative braking.
The UPT options twin wishbone suspension with 120mm journey. Its horizontal shock format saves area so the skinny platform can provide its pass-through form for hauling lengthy gadgets.
UPT Specs:
As for specs, the UPT’s most energy output is 12,000W, and it supplies 640Nm of torque. The UPT’s payload capability is 550lbs, and it will probably tow as much as 770lbs. Most velocity is listed at 31mph.
As much as 8 batteries can disguise within the UPT’s platform. Becoming ENVO’s manufacturing technique, they’re the identical batteries present in ENVO’s ebikes. The UPT’s vary is 62-124 miles (relying largely on what number of batteries you’re operating). The entire UPT will probably be IP67 water-proof.
Folding down or positioning the steering column is a simple process, with only a few allen bolts to tighten. Sliding the handlebar to the middle or aspect of the column is finished the identical manner. Completed UPTs will embrace built-in headlights, taillights and switch alerts (if required).
A UPT weighs at the very least 160kg with out attachments, so ENVO has included a crawl mode to assist with storage. The crawl mode will transfer the entrance wheels very slowly, so you may creep the UPT up a wall and park it vertically to avoid wasting area in a storage, and many others. Whereas that takes care of the UPT, any attachments will take up some cupboard space themselves. It’s too early to know if equipment will probably be fast and simple to take away from the platform.
ENVO is aiming to take pre-orders for the UPT by early 2024, with anticipated supply nearer to 2025. Pricing ought to be round $14,000 USD. Control the EBike BC web site for updates.
