Introduction: A Glimpse Into the Solar Revolution
Solar-powered motorcycles once represented an ambitious step in the journey toward sustainable transportation. As the world moved toward greener alternatives, a handful of bold innovators explored the potential of combining electric propulsion with solar energy.
These projects aimed to address challenges like limited charging infrastructure and growing environmental concerns. However, despite their ingenuity, many of these ventures struggled to find long-term success due to technical, financial, and market-related obstacles.
Below, we revisit three noteworthy projects that showcased both the potential and the challenges of solar-powered motorcycles.
Challenges Faced by Solar Motorcycles
Solar motorcycles have largely remained niche due to several significant challenges:
- Limited Energy Capture: The limited surface area of motorcycles makes it difficult to mount enough solar panels to generate sufficient power, restricting their range and usability. Weather dependency also plays a critical role, as cloudy days or shaded areas significantly reduce solar energy output.
- High Costs: Solar technology, particularly high-efficiency panels and advanced batteries, remains expensive to produce.
- Market Viability: Many consumers are hesitant to adopt vehicles with unproven technology, leading to financial difficulties for startups in this space.
Roam’s Epic African Expedition
Credit: CNN
Swedish-Kenyan manufacturer Roam achieved a major milestone by completing a 6,000-kilometer journey from Nairobi, Kenya, to Stellenbosch, South Africa, in just 17 days, using only solar power. This incredible expedition involved their electric motorcycle, the Roam Air, and a custom solar panel charging system carried in a support vehicle.
Credit: CNN
The journey was a powerful demonstration of the viability of long-distance travel using renewable energy, even in regions with limited charging infrastructure.
Key highlights of the journey included:
- Daily Coverage: The team averaged 400 kilometers (250 miles) per day using battery swaps.
- Single-Battery Range Record: The Roam Air achieved a new single-battery range record of 113 kilometers (70 miles).
- High-Performance Day: On the final day, the motorcycle traveled an impressive 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) in under 18 hours.
The team faced significant challenges, including the unpredictability of cloud cover, which forced them to adapt their route on several occasions. Despite this, the journey was a success, thanks to meticulous planning and collaboration with Stellenbosch University. The expedition not only set technical records but also laid the groundwork for future innovations in solar charging for motorcycles.
Credit: Electrek
This project underscores Roam’s broader mission to provide reliable, sustainable transportation solutions for regions like Africa, where access to conventional charging infrastructure can be scarce. By completing this journey, Roam proved that with strategic planning and innovative technology, solar-powered motorcycles can be a viable option even in challenging environments.
The Spy Motorcycle: Solar Charging Meets Urban Mobility
Credit: Green.org
At the time of writing this in December 2024, the Spy Motorcycles website is no longer accessible and they haven’t posted to their Instagram social account in over 2 years, likely meaning that this project has fallen into the abyss and will not come to fruition. Nevertheless, their project was an interesting experiment into the potential of solar powered bikes.
San Diego-based Spy Motorcycles, dubbed “The Tesla of Motorcycles,” has brought a fresh perspective to the concept of urban transportation. By introducing the world’s first electric motorcycle with built-in solar panels, Spy has tackled several issues plaguing urban commuters, from rising fuel costs to the inefficiency of large vehicles for short trips.
The Spy Motorcycle stands out with its:
- Integrated Solar Panels: These allow the bike to charge while parked in sunlight, providing a renewable energy source without additional infrastructure.
- Range and Speed: The bike offers a 125-mile range on a single charge and a top speed of 75 mph, ideal for city travel.
- Charging Options: Beyond solar charging, the motorcycle can also be plugged into a standard wall outlet, ensuring versatility for various environments.
Spy Motorcycles was founded to address key challenges in urban mobility. Recognizing that most car rides are less than six miles long, the company designed a solution specifically for these short commutes. In regions like South America and Asia, scooters and motorbikes are already popular for such trips, but they have struggled to gain traction in cities like San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles. The company also sought to challenge the perception of scooters and vespas as “uncool” by creating a product that was both functional and visually appealing.
Credit: Green.org
Despite its promise, Spy Motorcycles ultimately struggled to scale production and secure long-term financial stability. While the concept of a solar-powered urban commuter resonated with some, it wasn’t enough to sustain the company in a competitive electric motorcycle market.
Cake’s Portable Solar Chargers
Credit: CAKE
Swedish electric motorcycle manufacturer Cake had taken a unique approach to solar-powered motorcycling by focusing on portable solar charging systems. In collaboration with green energy provider Utellus, Cake developed a modular, Lego-like solar charging solution specifically designed for their lightweight off-road motorcycles. This innovation was particularly significant for adventure riders exploring remote areas where traditional charging infrastructure was unavailable.
The smallest charger in the system was lightweight and portable, capable of generating enough electricity to charge one motorcycle per day. This design complemented Cake’s Kalk model, an off-road electric motorcycle boasting an 80-kilometer range and a top speed of 80 km/h. The portability of these chargers aligned perfectly with the Kalk’s lightweight design, enabling riders to carry a charger for extended adventures without needing external support.
Cake’s founder and CEO, Stefan Ytterborn, described the solar charging system as a “dream come true.” The system aimed to make riders entirely self-sufficient, allowing them to reduce their reliance on conventional power sources and ensuring their bikes remained emission-free. While the system was initially offered only in Sweden, Cake had plans to expand globally, envisioning a future where their portable chargers could serve riders worldwide.
Credit: CAKE
However, in February 2024, Swedish electric motorcycle maker CAKE filed for bankruptcy, signaling an uncertain future for the once-promising brand. However, just one month later, Norwegian company Brages Holding AS acquired CAKE, its intellectual property, and its legacy. Under new ownership, a fresh chapter for CAKE is now taking shape, driven by a small but passionate core team led by former CAKE CTO Petra Färm.
With a focus on scaling operations and establishing a strong retailer distribution network, the new ownership aims to transform CAKE from a niche Swedish initiative into a Scandinavian success. The company remains committed to the original values that made CAKE unique: exceptional design, meticulous craftsmanship, and a vision of zero-emission urban mobility.
The team has reopened CAKE’s Stockholm headquarters and brand store, offering existing inventory for sale while developing new products. By focusing on high-quality, thoughtfully designed products, CAKE seeks to build on its legacy and become a leader in the electrification of micro-mobility. With a clear plan and renewed energy, CAKE’s journey continues, promising a blend of its celebrated past and an ambitious future in sustainable transportation.
Conclusion: Pioneering Projects in a Challenging Field
The Roam Air’s African expedition, the urban-focused Spy Motorcycle, and Cake’s portable solar chargers each represent unique approaches to solar-powered motorcycling. These projects highlight the incredible potential of renewable energy to transform transportation, even as they face significant technical and market challenges.
Solar-powered motorcycles remain a niche concept, but the innovation and determination behind these efforts signal a promising future. Whether it’s the record-setting journey of the Roam Air, the practical elegance of the Spy Motorcycle, or the adventurous potential of Cake’s portable chargers, these examples provide a glimpse into a greener and more exciting future for motorcycle enthusiasts.