New electric scooter uses solar panels for on-the-go charging

Technology company Otherlab has announced a new product which aims to tackle one of the biggest consumer concerns with electric scooters, limited battery life. The company’s recently unveiled Lightfoot cargo scooter seeks to extend battery longevity by incorporating solar panels for continuous charging while on the move.

“Around half of all the passenger trips taken in the U.S. are less than five miles. Lightfoot riders enjoy the power, storage and range to transform these everyday short trips into joyrides while bypassing the headaches and expense of dealing with a car,” Otherlab said in a statement. “We’ve learned that if you want people to decarbonize, you need to provide them with electrified products that are better than what they’re replacing.”

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At a price tag of $4,995, the scooter features 120-watt solar panels mounted on both sides, which Otherlab claims can add roughly 8% to the battery charge per hour of sunlight exposure, translating to approximately three extra miles of range for every hour the scooter is in the sun.

On a full battery, the Lightfoot can reportedly travel up to 37 miles, with the potential for an additional 18 miles of range added daily from solar charging alone. For faster charging, Otherlab has also equipped the Lightfoot with a plug-in option, allowing the scooter to charge from zero to 80% in about 90 minutes.

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Designed with a top speed of 20 miles per hour, the Lightfoot is bike-lane legal and does not require any additional license or registration to operate. To entice potential riders, Otherlab has introduced a buy-back guarantee, promising a full refund for any dissatisfied customers. Deliveries of the Lightfoot electric scooter are set to begin early next year.