Dr. K Ranjith Kumar Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (EEE) student branch, who led the team, said a maximum load of 140 kg can be pulled by the cycle without slowing down the vehicle’s speed.

A group of students from the Government College of Technology (GCT) in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, have created the “Zero Cycle,” a low-cost hybrid bicycle with zero emissions and grid power consumption, powered by a strong overhead source.

The bicycle can travel up to 15 km on battery backup, plus an extended range based on solar energy. The leader of the team, Dr. K Ranjith Kumar of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (EEE) student branch, stated that the cycle can carry a weight of up to 140 kg without sacrificing speed.

The cycle can be operated with battery backup even at night or on cloudy days and can be pedaled comfortably. The overall design of the bicycle can be applied to other types of cycles and has been validated as stable on various roadways.

The cycle reduces carbon emissions, has no running costs, and is affordable for the average person. The team is currently working on additional initiatives, including solar charging stations and solar vehicles with IoT capabilities. The institution plans to patent the vehicle for commercial use.