This Solar-Powered Scooter Actually Exists, Will Make Charging a Distant Memory

"Perpetual motion made possible" is the kind of promise anyone who relies on a means of transport for the daily commute would love to hear. San Francisco-based startup Otherland is pledging to turn it into reality.

Otherlab hopes to do so with Lightfoot, a solar-powered electric scooter that promises to put a smile back on the face of city commuters, bringing peace of mind by being a "legitimately net-zero" vehicle and, just as importantly, the very real possibility of never having to plug in again.

Lightfoot looks like a suitcase covered in solar panels that you straddle, but Otherlab promises there's more to it than just the slightly amusing exterior. For one, it's an electric two-wheeler that sits at the intersection of bicycle and electric motorcycle, combing off-the-shelf quality parts from both categories to offer the smoothest and most convenient ride that you won't even need a license for.

Secondly, it can be used on solar power only for shorter commutes. It's also safe, comfortable, and very convenient thanks to the suitcase-shaped design that allows you to use it as one. That's one way of putting it: cargo space becomes accessible once you lift one of the solar panels, and it's large enough to fit three shopping bags.

Living in the city means finding the means to make the daily commute as time-efficient, convenient, and fun as possible. Whether that means driving to and from work, riding a bike, or relying on the oftentimes unreliable public transport depends on who you're talking to.

Also depending on who you talk to, you'll hear that all these means have downsides. That could be anything from the rising prices of fuel, the lack of enough space to carry groceries, or having to plug in for charging. This new e-scooter, Lightfoot, tries to address all these through its hybrid nature, thus setting itself apart as a worthy competitor.

Power comes from a pair of brushless 750W motors, one in each wheel, which, in turn, are powered by a 48-volt 1.1kWh battery hidden in that bulky body. A full charge from a 110V wall outlet is good for 37 miles (60 km) of carefree riding, and you can get an 80% charge in about 90 minutes.

So far, Lightfoot is much like a standard e-bike that you have to charge up when you drain the battery. The innovation here is that the two 120W solar panels, one on each side, add an additional 18 miles (28 km) of range per day on solar only. Otherlab says that each hour spent in the sun means an extra 3 miles (4.8 km) of range, so you could, in theory, carry through entire runs on solar only. You could even do the entire commute on solar power, if it's within these margins.

Lightfoot also has advanced regen braking that further tops up the battery, which makes Otherlab confident enough to declare that it might make charging at a standard power outlet a thing of the past. If this is achieved, the e-scooter will be a truly net-zero vehicle.

Lightfoot is made of aircraft-grade aluminum and rides on large 10-inch tires with motorcycle-grade suspension. The seat fits two adults in perfect comfort, so it can be used in a variety of scenarios, from romantic dates to the kids' school drop-off.

The 1.5 cu-ft (45.2 liters) compartment hidden between the two sides can fit up to 33 lbs (15 kg) of cargo, or the equivalent of three shopping bags. In other words, you could replace your daily driver with this e-scooter for weekly grocery runs – if you make sure you stick to your shopping list for once.

With a design inspired by the iconic Vespa and the equally iconic but larger Volkswagen bus, this e-scooter is meant to be easy to maintain and repair. Otherlab says that all components are off-the-shelf and chosen for their durability and quality, which means that repairs could be carried out at home or at the local bike shop with minimal hassle and costs.

Top speed is 20 mph (32 kph), and the motors produce 90 Nm of torque so it can easily handle steeper inclines or heavier payloads. There are no gears, no pedals, and no clutch to it, so learning to operate it comes with a minimal learning curve. Otherlab describes it as a "twist-and-go throttle" kind of operation, which sounds accurate.

Features include hydraulic braking, a 2.8-inch LCD touchscreen in the cockpit, a loud horn, bright Lezyne headlight and taillight, and 137 lb (62 kg) of weight with the battery included. Otherlab doesn't mention if any adjustments are possible, but they say the e-scooter will fit riders between 5'2" and 6'2" (155.5 and 188 cm) in height.

Otherlab promises 2 years of warranty on essential components and a firm buy-back guarantee if you're not satisfied with the product, all in an attempt to convince potential customers that it's not vaporware. With an MRSP of $4,9995, you can see why that would be necessary. Deliveries are estimated to kick off in January 2025.