These dome-shaped solar trees use AI to charge electric vehicles and combat the issue of EV charging

Slowly and surely the world has been moving towards clean energy alternatives. People have been abandoning dirty energy, especially petrol and diesel-ridden vehicles, for smarter and cleaner EVs, and other solar energy products. However, an issue that EVs often pose, is the issue of charging them. It can be challenging to find charging stations frequently and in convenient locations, but this is where these intriguing ‘Solar trees’ come into the picture. London-based SolarBotanic Trees created these sleek innovative trees designed to power EV Charging stations!

Designer: SolarBotanic Trees

The London-based company launched the prototype for the trees in September 2022, and its first generation of solar trees will finally be available in the coming few months! SolarBotanic developed these trees in collaboration with a London-based business support program Co-Innovate. The two teamed up and used academic and innovation resources from the surrounding universities and facilities. The unique-looking trees have been equipped with solar panels. These solar panels or nano photovoltaic ‘leaves’ form the dome or the canopy of the trees. They absorb energy from sunlight and transform it into electrical energy.

That collected electrical energy is then stored in the trees’ AI-driven energy storage and management system, which releases this power and manages it. There are other simple solar trees on the market, for example, Smartflower – a rather large daisy-shaped solar energy solution. But there are certain features that set the SolarBotanic Trees apart from similar designs on the market. First and foremost, the Smartflower has a four-kilowatt system, while the SolarBotanic Trees have been equipped with a five-kilowatt capacity, a larger capacity than other trees available today. Also, the SolarBotanic Trees will have a lower and more economical price point, which will make the product more accessible to the masses.

The SolarBotanic Trees will provide solar energy solutions for homes, businesses, and commercial parking spaces. The commercial version or the SolarBotanic Tree “v01” will be available in mid-2023 and version “v02” with an energy management system (EMS), battery storage, and rapid EV-charging system will be available later in the year. A third version the “v03” will be available in 2025 – it will use an advanced combination of wind and solar power generation modules.

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McLaren unveils e-scooter that folds into an easy-to-carry package

E-scooters are all the rage in current times and most automakers are joining this electrification trend. McLaren is homing in on the mindful rage with its all-in-one electric vehicle which is a battery-powered scooter destined to redefine the complexion of personal mobility.

The British company has created a new offshoot christened Lavoie Electric (much like the Porsche Design label) to take up the rising developments of their EV quest – be it the current ones or the ones destined for the future. As Wertheimer, Lavoie cofounder and CEO rightly suggested that they want to create a vehicle that’s “reliable, faultlessly functional, powerful, stylish,”  having state-of-the-art technology.” TO be precise, built in the same way as any car or motorcycle would.

Designer: Lavoie Electric

McLaren is quite serious about its clean energy ambitions for personal mobility space as Richard Clarke, ex-F1 engineer and electric vehicle expert Eliott Wertheimer and Albert Nassar head the ranks at Lavoie. The first-ever product is going to be the Series 1 folding electric scooter which draws inspiration from the suspension system of a world-class race car. That’s complimented well by the chunky tires to further soak the bumps and uneven driving pavements. So, you can pretty well imagine the ride comfort on this electric scooter in real-life situations.

The real USP of this personal commuter lies in its ability to fold in half thanks to the patented Flowfold mechanism to become the size of an easy-to-carry package – and that too with the push of a button. The magnesium-framed scooter weighs only 36 pounds for urban practicality which is a huge bonus. Series 1 e-scooter has a battery capacity enough to go 31 miles on a single charge. The unit can be recharged in a couple of hours – again a big advantage.

Looks are also kept at a premium here with a sleek aerodynamic shape and funky triangular headlight. Safety is also paramount in this design as the innovative lighting spread illuminates the road ahead and the side lights keep other motorists informed about the ride. The integrated display on the Series 1 provides turn-by-turn navigation and the indicator lights are controlled from the handlebars.

Lavoie promises to unfurl more details about the electric scooter in the coming future and for now, hasn’t revealed any details about the availability or the pricing. However, the design is promising and is backed by closely-knit features that are very useful in daily usage.

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DeLorean Omega 2040 is a baja-themed off-road EV built for post-apocalyptic world

DeLorean Motor Company has satisfied automotive lovers’ longing to revive cherished memories of the “Back to the Future” movies with its gull-winged Alpha5 EV launch. The American automotive company is not stopping at that though as they’ve teased two more concepts. One of them is aimed at the near future while the other is for a dystopian world set in 2040.

The two concepts were revealed at the inaugural DeLorean House’s “A Glimpse Into The Future” event at the Pebble Beach Automotive week 2022. While the 2024 Alpha5 Plasmatail concept is the extension of the fresh coupe, we are more interested in the off-roading capable Omega 2040 concept.

Designer: DeLorean

This Baja-styled concept is nowhere close to reality by 2022 standards, but then, we are talking of the year 2040. The electric vehicle will be tailored for off-road trails, perhaps designed for a radically changed topography owing to climate change and human-induced drought. DeLorean themselves is labeling this design as something that’s a complete detour from the traditional automotive design.

The two-seater vehicle also seems like a mix of race truck and moon rover from its lower half – the wheels and chassis to be precise. That bumped-up ride height, and the chunky wheels with those rims are made for a post-apocalyptic world. The independent suspension system on all four wheels hints at its high-performance quotient without any doubt. Coming from the house of DeLorean, it’s not surprising since they are accustomed to creating futuristic rides.

Headlights and taillights on the Omega 2040 are the sharpest designed you’ll ever get to see on a four-wheeler. The windshield follows down to the rear with an array of honeycomb-shaped solar panels on the panoramic glass. Overall, the Omega 2040 boasts an aerodynamic design for EV drivetrain efficiency. Those robust-looking spoilers extended out of the body both on the front and rear add an air of dynamism to the EV concept, and we love it!

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This Citroën 2CV inspired electric concept shines in dual-tone colors and modern styling

The legendary 1945 Citroën 2CV often referred to as the umbrella on wheels had a fixed profile convertible bodywork and roll-back sunroof. This world’s first front-wheel-drive car was produced between 1948 – 1990 with more than 3.8 million units sold. In fact, the ride mirrored the Volkswagen Beetle in more ways than not. The definite charm of both these cars is truly undeniable all these years, and still continues to brush automotive fans.

To revive the nostalgic memories of this economy family car, designer Jean Louis Bui has penned an electric concept in a modern avatar. Dubbed the Citroën La 2 Deuche Concept, this cheeky mini car has a sense of airiness to it. Retro DNA of the vehicle is visible in the section over the wheels, the headlights and the accordion-like retracting rooftop which turns it into a convertible. According to Jean the styling is picked from the simple lines and silhouette of the inspiration – particularly the Charleston version. The rest of it has the more modern profiling – especially the side profile and rear. Those taillights and the wheels do give off the futuristic vibe, and as far as the exterior goes, it ends there.

Designer: Jean Louis Bui

The big Citroën logo on the grille makes the modern-looking version of the 2CV come alive combined with the dual colorway in shimmering black and red. The other color option the designer goes for is the sea green and black which also looks nice but I would not go for this one if ever Citroën plans to revive the classic for real. That Charleston-influenced bio-tone color is quite evident in here, and it’s refreshing. Also, this has to be a playful vehicle owing to its style and colors, just like the Citroën 2CV back in its glorious time. The designer in his submission emphasized that the concept embodies the “emblem of France as well as the Eiffel Tower, the baguette or the croissant.”

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This electric mountain patrol bike makes a ranger’s task easier in tough terrain

Patrol motorcycles like BMW R 1200 RT-P, Yamaha FJR1300, or the Harley Davidson Street 750 are readily used by law enforcement agencies around the world. All of these machines are the first choice for keeping the bad guys in check, thanks to their power-to-weight ratio, agile handling, and storage space to keep all the tools handy.

Rethinking how a mountain patrol motorbike ought to be, the EQUULEUS electric mountain patrol bike beckons to the future of crime-fighting. This two-wheeler concept is built keeping in mind the riding safety and ample space to keep all the essential tools and equipment. In turn, the forest rangers can patrol inhospitable regions with utmost confidence and freedom to take all the essentials along. Even better, the storage modules loaded in the different sections of the bike are completely detachable, so, the rider can tag along tools in the most organized manner possible.

Designer: Ethan Hsu

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In total there are five waterproof storage modules – two embedded on each of the sidepods and one on the rear. Three have 30 liters capacity while the other are 40 liters each. That’s plenty of space to store all the needed stuff without inducing imbalance. The contoured dashboard displays vital telemetry including the battery charge levels, navigation maps, altitude, compass and pre-designated waypoints.

A normal day in the life of a mountain patrol ranger gets much easier with the QEUULEUS electric bike. Load the needed tools in the respective toolboxes, set the destination on the GPS, and once the destination is reached – take out the toolbox to finish the required tasks. The robust electric bike keeps the center of gravity right where the rider leans the weight, therefore, making it ultra-stable on any kind of treacherous trail. Apart from all this, I can go on talking endlessly about the sharp looks and the intimidating front stance. However, I’ll let the design renders and scaled model do all the talking!

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This shape-shifting kick scooter transforms into electric bicycle and vice versa

Commuting in crowded spaces demands a swift and agile ride that’s easy to store when not needed. A city bicycle, or even better a kick scooter is the best option for an urban lifestyle. If these commuters are high on style and function while not overcomplicating things, it’s the red cherry on top.

When it comes to personal commuters, less is more and vice versa too. So, what if you get the perfect combination of an electric bicycle and a kick scooter in one? To me, that sounds like the ideal product for city exploration or simply going from one block to the other in quick time.

Designer: Ugly Duckling

Having come across countless kick scooters with impressive design and functions, this one is a bar above the rest for its dual utility and compact design. Since I’m a big fan of shape-shifting automotive designs, this one has really impressed me beyond comprehension. Christened the Popup Scooter, the two-wheeled electric bicycle transforms into a chick kick scooter, and the other way around. This gives the rider (and his/her family and buddies) the option to choose the configuration depending on the particular needs.

The smooth transformation happens courtesy of the hydraulic cylinder which in normal bicycles is used to adjust the ride height. This hydraulic mechanism is capable enough to lift an adult person, so, lifting and lowering the ride’s body shouldn’t be a problem at all. At the core level, the concept is not just another blueprint that looks good on paper but falls flat on its face when it comes to creating the actual prototype or even a production model.

As per the designer, the future will be dominated by one-person mobility, and to cater to the demands of either sporty driving or comfortable riding experience, design is going to be a challenge. The Popup Scooter has the potential to satiate everyone’s needs since it can evolve into a two-wheeler no one knew existed, but everybody would want in their garage.

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This electric Tuk-Tuk raises the bar for comfort and luxurious travel in future metropolis

The cute little Tuk-Tuk has been the staple of developing countries in ferrying around people in crowded cities. This three-wheeled cart invented in Thailand, around seven decades ago gets its name from the sound of the small engine propelling it forward. This economically and city feasible means of transportation slowly trickled down to other countries in Asia, and eventually developed countries seemed intrigued by this idea too.

Apart from a few superficial modifications depending on the region where it is used, the good old Tuk-Tuk has retained its age-old magic. The evolution into electric-powered motors has taken precedence, and if you always wanted a more modern, luxe avatar of the three-wheeler, this cool Tuk-Tuk concept fuels the imagination.

Designer: Encho Enchev

An ultra-futuristic version of the Tuk-Tuk that seems to have taken a bold leap astray from its roots. Unlike the traditional versions which are shared rides, this one is for solo travelers and adventure seekers. The rider is cocooned in super comfort on the lounge seat, inside the gull-winged Tuk-Tuk having panoramic glass on all sides to enjoy the outside views. Those big chunky wheels hint at this vehicle’s use as a capable three-wheeler for rough roads or taking a detour from the highway limits.

The Tuk-Tuk when parked opens up like a can of tuna on all sides for that feeling of airiness. The swivel seat can rotate in the left or right direction for daring riders who want to hang off the edge for a breath-taking view of the valley. The rear of the vehicle houses a sleeping area for campers to dwell. It’s more like those pop-top campers built for extended adventures or for people who fancy having a road adventure to a destination unknown.

It’s more like your comfy cocoon that’s operated like a video game racer with the joysticks and push-buttons. While it’s just a digitally penned concept, for now, the idea is unique in its own rights, and could turn out to be a luxe commuter in the coming years.

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This exoskeletal framed off-roader is a potential Mad Max ride for the uncertain future

A lighter but stronger fabricated body framework is where the automotive industry is constantly drifting towards, Afterall we all need efficient EVs that push the limits of range with subtle improvement. All these little changes make a big difference to the overall perceived value of the vehicle. A very important consideration heading into the future dominated by zero-emission vehicles that’ll look radically different from what we are used to seeing.

The dystopian complexion of times we’ll live in a couple of decades from now is not going to be that rosy considering the drastic changes our environment is undergoing, and it is on course to head towards doom. That sounds like a Max Mad-like world, doesn’t it? Deserted city outskirts with priorities changing to basic survival. For such a challenging future this exoskeletal body-framed off-roader is the perfect accomplice. Most of the body weight has been shed to keep the vehicle nimble on not-so-hospitable terrain.

Designer: Maitreya Dhanak

It’s more like a buggy on a strict weight loss regime, and a lean muscular body to prove it right. The well-tuned electric motor drives the rear wheels of this two-seater machine capable of accelerating fast from a standing position to breakneck speeds. Those broad chunky tires with deep treads and the reinforced independent suspension on each wheel signal the off-roader’s ability to take on any surface with ease. The wide stance ensures stability while maneuvering swiftly at respectable speeds. To add a bit of modern touch to the design, there is the panoramic glass roof running all the way back to the rear.

Equip this baby with all those skewed monstrosities we’ve all dreaded in the Mad Max movie, and it’ll be all ready to take on The Interceptor, The Big Foot, The Plymouth Rock, or the mighty War Rig. Agility is definitely going to be the key to survival in such an unpredictable setting. Loaded with crazy weapons, this could be the perfect accomplice for a raged hero out for revenge!

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