In its resolution establishing World Bicycle Day, the United Nations described the bicycle as a “simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transport”. For PHOSGO, solar assistance offers a way to build on that idea by collecting energy from the sun as part of everyday riding.
The analogue bike isn’t going anywhere, but electric bikes are the great levellers that could see us all riding into our twilight years. That is unequivocally a good thing… but at what cost?
Electricity is a running cost to consider. People want cheap or, better yet, free power. That is part of the appeal of tools such as plug-in solar. Now the cycling world is catching up as tech startup PHOSGO launches its solar-powered series of e-bikes, the Go5 Series.
With the Go5 Series, PHOSGO could be for e-cycling what the Chinese automotive industry is for affordable electric vehicles. Backers clearly seem to think so, with the product’s launch on crowdfunding website Indiegogo smashing its $20k goal within one hour, and currently riding high with over $300k pledged towards a bike still yet to be delivered to crowdfunding backers.
This 8-speed aluminium framed e-bike is driven by the popular and reliable Bafang mid-drive motor. The Go5 series addresses charging concerns, both cost and range related, by using solar energy to help power the motor while riding and charge the battery when parked and giving you a good excuse to have that second cuppa at your coffee stop to get a little extra solar energy.
Coming in two models, the Go5 Pro is powered by a 480Wh battery using LG cells giving it an estimated battery only range of up to 60 miles. Under the right conditions, the wheel integrated solar panels, with a combined nominal rating of 200W, are estimated by PHOSGO to contribute energy equivalent to around 17 extra miles of assisted riding per day; actual output varies with sunlight, shading and wheel orientation. If that’s not enough range, the Go5 Ultra’s 720Wh battery using LG cells gives you an estimated battery-only range of up to 90 miles of pedal assist fun with solar energy potentially extending that further.
Alternatively, stop for a leisurely lunch, lock it up while you work or watch a film and the brand says that under favourable sunlight conditions the system could collect approximately 138Wh per day, equivalent to around 29% of the Go5 Pro’s battery or approximately 20% of the Go5 Ultra’s. At an assumed 8Wh per mile, that is around 17 miles of additional assisted range. These are company estimates based on engineering calculations and real riding test; actual results vary with riding and sunlight conditions.
Fitted with 29 × 2.2-inch tires, and with an adjustable air suspension front fork, suspension seatpost and some mighty stopping power with hydraulic brakes and 180mm rotors, the Go5 series isn’t just destined for urban cycle paths. It’s capable of taking on the trails less travelled, with solar assistance helping your battery energy go further.
A nice touch for those with limited mobility, is the availability of a step-through frame, as well as the more conventional step-over.
Hang on, is it legal where I live?
Depending on where you live, the law will define what’s a legit e-bike, and what’s not. PHOSGO has taken this into consideration, as the Go5 Series is offered in regional configurations.
US customers can access a 500W rated motor in the Go5 Pro, with assistance up to 20mph, or a 750W rated motor in the Go5 Ultra, with assistance up to 28mph, depending on configuration and settings. US versions include a throttle; 28mph refers to pedal assistance, not a stated throttle-only speed. Local riding rules vary.
UK and EU riders will have to put in a bit more effort, as the Go5 series is offered in a regional configuration with a 250W continuous rated motor and pedal assistance cutting off at 25km/h. This is an assistance limit, not a limit on pedalling speed.
For early adopters of the Go5 series, the appeal is practical: extra energy from sunlight, whether they are riding or parked outdoors.
The PHOSGO Go5 Solar e-bike is available at a significant reduction through the Indiegogo crowdfunding platform, where backers pledge for their chosen model. See the campaign page for the closing date and the latest production and estimated delivery updates. The Go5 Pro is listed in PHOSGO’s supplied campaign Super Early Bird priced at US$1,899, with an MSRP of US$2,799, and the Go5 Ultra Super Early Bird priced at US$2,499, a significant discount from US$3,799 MSRP.
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