Project Summary

The unprecedented rise in ecommerce and the associated increase in the use of vans to service that need is leading to problems including congestion, kerbside access and carbon emissions. In order to remove vans from urban areas and keep meeting the demand for ecommerce, we need to transfer freight to active travel solutions including cycling and walking. This project addresses freight cycling – seeking to overcome barriers to its widespread adoption.

Project Achievements

A feasibility study for a novel electric driveline investigated commercial viability and concluded that Fernhay would be able to gain return on investment if the project were developed through to production stage. 

Developed a concept for an innovative electric transaxle coupled to a novel arrangement between pedals and transaxle. Methods used in the project included benchmarking; concept layout design on CAD; automotive project planning; cost analysis; business planning; risk analysis and supplier evaluations.

Created a value proposition that balanced the planned production volumes, high labour rate and complex electromechanical high value manufacturing driveline. 

Investigated the legality of the design against current EU legislation and concluded our concept was within regulations. There is no prior art that restricts Fernhay progressing the driveline, and we believe that IP can be developed to protect the designs.

Next Steps

What Next? The feasibility study has proved return on investment should we take the driveline forward to production. Next steps for development are to take the driveline to detailed design, prototype manufacturing, build and then operational testing in the Fernhay eQuad as first trial application and prove out.