Design and Construction of a long-lasting solar charging option for an E-Scooter

Abstract

 In this project, an alternative source of charging an electric scooter was designed and constructed, to ensure the batteries of the scooter can be charged on the go even in the absence of an AC power supply. An iron frame work was used so that the frame would be able to withstand tough terrains with difficult weather conditions, avoiding brittleness. The solar powered option for the e-scooter was a successful installation. It was tested for its effectiveness and performance. Since the maximum weight recommendable for the e-scooter is 110kg, the installation of the frame and solar panels brought about the added load to up to about 9.7kg. This means that the solar powered e-scooter that was eventually constructed could carry a weight of 100 kg (110 – 10) comfortably, which is the only drawback to its overall performance. This is a fair price to pay by the rider, considering that the rider does not have to rely on a single charge, but can get the battery some more charge while in operation under sunlight.  

After including the panel and the frame to the scooter, some tests were taken to determine the carrying capacity of the scooter with respect to its speed:A rider/cargo having a weight of up to about 40 kg would move at a speed of 24-27 km/h, a rider/cargo having a weight of 60kg would move at a speed of 22-24 km/h, a rider/cargo having a weight of 80 kg would move at a speed of 19-22 km/h, a rider/cargo having a weight of 100 kg would move at a speed of 16-19 km/h. This is the maximum amount of weight that should be put on the scooter to ensure optimum performance with little strain on operational parts, especially its electric motor.