Electric Vehicle for Delivery (E-Trike)

The electric trike (E-Trike) is a three-wheeled electric vehicle designed for multipurpose applications such as goods delivery, tourist transport, and waste collection. The vehicle can operate effectively on narrow roads, which are common in many Indonesian cities. The gross vehicle weight of the E-Trike is 500 kg, with a payload capacity of 300 kg. The research and development of the E-Trike follow scientific product development principles, starting from market surveys, concept design, detailed design, prototyping, and testing. The research has been primarily funded by Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP) since 2018.

Figure 1. First generation of E-Trike prototype uses glass fiber composite for body production (left), whereas the second generation E-Trike uses metal sheets (right)

Figure 2. Third generation of E-Trike prototype: Closed cabin E-Trike for goods delivery (left) and open cabin for waste transporter (right)

The E-Trike is targeted to achieve up to 90% local content, which can only be accomplished by designing the vehicle from scratch. The design includes an integrated drivetrain system, braking system, energy storage system, and wiring harness. These systems are systematically designed, manufactured, and tested to meet high safety standards. To achieve the 90% local content target, the E-Trike incorporates novel technologies that have resulted in 11 intellectual property registrations. The E-Trike platform is designed as a universal platform that supports various applications. From this platform, at least six different body design variants can be installed (see Figure 3).

Figure 3. Universal platform of E-trike

Figure 4. Design variant of E-Trike to fulfil various purposes

The body design variants include both closed-cabin and open-cabin configurations to accommodate different driver access requirements. The open-cabin type can accommodate an additional front passenger as a driver assistant. For the rear carriage, the E-Trike offers three different configurations based on application needs: a goods delivery unit with a closed box and maximum cargo volume of 550 × 1200 × 600 mm; a waste transporter with an open tub and cargo volume of 550 × 1100 × 500 mm; and a tourist transport configuration with four passenger seats and one driver.

The development of the E-Trike utilized Computer-Aided Design (CAD) during both the vehicle design stage and manufacturing process planning. Numerical simulations were conducted to ensure that the E-Trike design met safety and performance standards prior to prototyping. Multibody dynamic simulations were performed to determine appropriate suspension parameters to ensure driving comfort. The use of CAD and simulation tools significantly reduced the overall development cost of the E-Trike.

Design adjustments and modifications were implemented to improve the reliability and safety of the E-Trike platform, including improvements to electrical component brackets, rear brake and suspension components, handlebar adjustments, tubular frame optimization, and the application of anti-rust coatings. Weak or unstable brackets can lead to excessive vibration or shock during operation, potentially causing improper mounting of electrical components and increasing the risk of component damage or system failure. Following suspension redesign and remanufacturing, the E-Trike exhibited improved ride comfort due to a softer and more stable suspension response. The improved suspension system also reduced impact transfer from the road to the cargo box, helping to maintain the condition of transported goods. The simulations and experimental results conducted throughout the E-Trike development process have been disseminated through scientific publications.

Figure 5. Maneuverability analyses of E-trike using Multibody Dynamic Simulation