What types of electric vehicles are there?
The world is going electric, and you only have to look at the way we get around to see where the biggest changes are being made.
From our daily commutes in our cars and bikes to some stranger means of transport like skates and tuk-tuks, there’s no denying that electric seems to be the way of the future.
The market for electric vehicles is developing quickly. Some electric vehicles (EVs) run exclusively on batteries, while others are hybrid models that combine an internal combustion engine and an electric motor.
What are some unusual vehicles that have been made into electric versions?
Standard modes of transport like cars, boats, and bicycles all have popular electric counterparts as well as stranger options like rickshaws and skateboards, and that’s only just the beginning. As more of us make the switch to energy-efficient alternatives, these unusual electric vehicles will only become more commonplace.
We’re going to look at some of the coolest electric vehicles on the planet, as well as those that are unusual and unexpected.
It’s clear to see that the future will be full of e-transport, so check out some of the coolest electric inventions that are already being used around the globe.
If you’d like to see a graphical breakdown of the unusual electric vehicles, we got you covered:
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What types of electric vehicles are there?
1: Electric Boats
When you first think of an electric vehicle, something operating in the water might not be what springs to mind, but electric boats are becoming a popular alternative to those powered by gas.
As inventors try to fine-tune the possibility of having electricity-powered hubs at marinas and boathouses, some companies have been forging ahead with boats that don’t require any fuel at all.
One of the newer inventions in the e-vehicle world is the X Shore, currently retailing for around $250,000 currently but with hopes to become cheaper as production scales up.
They can travel around 40 knots an hour and last around 115 miles before needing to be recharged, which is exceptional for the prototype.
2: Electric Tuk-Tuk
The tuk-tuk and rickshaw are two vehicles that have been dying for an upgrade since they were first invented hundreds of years ago.
Today, the addition of electric motors to these vehicles means they’ve been given a push into the 21st century, and are now a lot easier to operate.
Electric tuk-tuks like these feature a motorcycle front end with a cart behind for passengers to sit, and they’re powered up with a removable battery pack.
In countries like India and Thailand where travel on one of these miniature vehicles is common, drivers would be able to replace old batteries with new, fully charged ones in a matter of minutes at local hubs, enabling them to run all day without stopping for length recharges.
3: Electric Cars
The electric car is the most common e-vehicle that people know about the world over, but recent advancements have made them more impressive than ever.
Compared to the standard electric car of 10 years ago, today’s e-vehicles like the Tesla Cybertruck, Audi e-Tron, and BMW i4 are making headlines all over again with what they’re capable of.
The modern e-cars of 2020 come in all shapes and sizes including SUVs and sports cars so there’s one for every style.
Although they’re incredibly expensive compared to standard vehicles, it’s hoped that they’ll become more within reach of the average consumer as production picks up, so keep your eyes on the market for an electric car that finally suits your budget.
4: Electric Rocket Skates
The thought of strapping on a pair of electric rocket skates sounds more like something out of a comic book than real life, but they’re just one of the old forms of transport getting a modern and electric twist.
Electric rocket skates can reach speeds up to 12 mph without you having to exert any energy and help you look cool while you do it.
Each skate features its own brushless motor that helps propel you forward, or you can do the skating yourself when you want to take over.
They’re available in kids and adults sizes, although might be safer for teenagers and up. You can travel up to 10 miles on a single charge, so they’re a fun way to get around town without doing much at all.
5: Electric Motorbike
Electric bicycles are one of the most popular e-vehicles on the road, but what about an electric motorbike?
Although the technology is still evolving, e-motos are a great way to save the planet while getting where you need to be.
There are some drawbacks, like long charge times and the inability to reach speeds as high as a classic motorbike can, but the future is promising.
Popular e-motos like the Harley-Davidson Live Wire and Energica Eco retail for $30,000 for the most basic models, so be prepared to pay up if you want to ride this unusual e-vehicle before anyone else.
6: Electric Scooter
Electric scooters are another e-vehicle that’s come a long way, and the two main categories they fall into are the motorbike-style or the compact size.
An electric scooter is a good in-between if you’d rather not exert as much energy as a bicycle but also don’t want something intimidating as a motorbike.
Smaller scooters are designed to fit in your backpack or be carried on the bus, and they fold down to virtually nothing, all the while being powered by batteries and costing just a few hundred dollars.
The larger scooters, like the Vespa Electtrica, can travel 62 miles on a single charge, but you can expect to pay around $7,000 for the privilege of riding them.
7: Electric Skateboard
If you want to look cool while riding your e-vehicle, something like a skateboard can help you achieve that.
Skateboards are the latest mode of transport to get an electric transformation and they’re not made with a motor attached under their deck to help propel you forward.
E-skateboards can be operated as standard or with the use of a remote that lets you power the throttle, apply a brake, and even control the speed.
However, using a handheld remote while riding a skateboard might take away from some of their cool factor, so the jury is still out on this one.
8: Electric Snowboard
If you find yourself yearning for the snow to return so you can get back out on the slopes with your board, the electric snowboard might be the best way to fill that gap.
These e-vehicles aren’t made for riding in the snow but rather giving the feeling that a snowboard does while riding on the pavement.
With one of these e-snowboards you’ll be able to reach speeds of up to 20 mph unassisted and exert very little of your own energy.
The mechanical components under the deck and in the wheels allow the board to operate just like it would on the ski slopes, so you can carve and turn like you were riding on snow.
9: Electric Rickshaw
Similar in design to the tuk-tuk but slightly different, rickshaws are another classic vehicle that’s getting an electric makeover for 2020.
These three-wheelers are capable of carrying a driver with a few extra passengers and they now come with zero-emission technology, meaning huge things for the cities and town where they’re a popular choice of transport.
An electric rickshaw is commonly powered by lithium-ion batteries that can run for around 80 miles on a single charge, with the batteries themselves lasting up to five years.
They also use a modern regenerative braking system that saves even more power, feeding the kinetic energy used to apply the brake back into the vehicle to propel it.
Related Questions
With so many of our daily tasks and objects being turned into more efficient and environmentally friendly alternatives, the market for electric vehicles is only going set to expand further.
To give you more insight into making the switch to an electric mode of transport, we’ve answered some FAQs that might help.
Can I Make My Bike Electric?
If you already own a standard bike that you’d like to continue riding but with electric assistance, there are conversion kits available that allow you to do so and without the high cost of buying a new bike outright.
These conversion kits come with all of the necessary parts including motor hub and a battery that attach to the wheel or frame of the bike to make it into an e-bike.
How Do Electric Vehicles Help the Environment?
Making the switch to an electric car or bike can be beneficial to the environment as they produce fewer emissions and use less energy to operate when compared to gas-powered models.
With fewer emissions, there will be less contribution to climate change and pollution, so they’re hugely beneficial for the environment, but they also save money for the user.
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