![](https://electricvehiclesforworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/semi-trike.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
[ad_1]
![semi-trike civilized cycles](https://electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/semi-trike.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1600)
What happens when you take a heavy duty cargo trike and make it even, well, heavier duty? You end up with something that looks like the Semi-Trike, a new cargo solution from Civilized Cycles.
The last time we heard from Civilized Cycles, the company was showing off a clever solution for storage on a typical two-wheeled electric bike, though the expanding hardcase panniers were anything but typical.
Now the company is back with something much larger, and with a few more wheels.
Civilized Cycles describes the Semi-Trike design as bringing “four wheel safety to three wheel vehicles,” which is seems mostly true other than the fact that they actually have five wheels.
![semi-trike civilized cycles](https://electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/semi-trike.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1024)
The rear cargo box seems to come in multiple sizes and rides on a platform with four wheels for extra stability. The smaller version has 2,700 liters (96 cubic feet) of cargo space, while the larger version rocks a massive 5,600 liters (200 cubic feet) of storage. Add a bed and composting toilet, and you’ve got yourself a pedal-powered bike camper.
The Semi-Trike has a payload capacity of 340 kg (750 lb) and a gross vehicle weight limit of 450 kg (1,000 lb).
That much weight cruising along at the bike’s electronically-limited top speed of 25 km/h (15 mph) requires some strong braking. To get there, the company outfitted it with electric 1-ton rated 7” drum brakes with an inertial proportional brake controller.
The cargo platform rides on custom 1-ton axles with 8″ wheels, a 1,200W motor, and self-leveling air suspension. That self-leveling suspension is a trick taken from the company’s previous cargo e-bikes.
The aluminum construction of the rear cargo frame matches the aluminum bike frame up front. The single front wheel is a 20″x4″ fat tire that required a special fat bike suspension fork. There’s also another brake up front, this time hydraulically powered.
The company has begun producing the Semi-Trike and is looking to begin pilot testing soon in Detroit, Michigan, where the company manufactures the vehicle.
![](https://electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/image-2023-10-26T161602.809.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1024)
Civilized Cycles aren’t the only one working on bigger than life cargo e-bikes for heavy-hauling duties. Coaster Cycles, the same folks behind those giant USPS mail bikes we covered last year, are also working hard on big bike-based cargo movers. Others like EAV have also explored how electric three-wheelers and four-wheelers can bring bicycle-level efficiency to the parcel delivery and urban logistics industries.
With major companies like Amazon, UPS, FedEx, DHL and others all looking towards a future with more bicycle-based cargo delivery solutions, vehicles like these could help bridge the gap without taking up as much space as a traditional box truck.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
[ad_2]
Source link