A two-seat electric scooter that supplements its driving range with solar power has gone on sale in the United States. Targeting an urban mobility niche between electric cars and bicycles, it can add up to 29 km of range a day using solar energy.

Electrek reported on Sunday that San Francisco research and development company Otherlab began sales and deliveries of its solar electric scooter, Lightfoot. It has solar panels on both sides of the body, with a combined output of 240 watts. Otherlab said it can add about 5 to 6 km of range per hour in strong sunlight.

Lightfoot is a low-speed urban vehicle with a top speed limited to 20 miles per hour, about 32 km. It has a 52-volt, 1,560-watt-hour battery and can travel up to 37 miles, about 60 km, on a full charge. It can charge the battery using sunlight not only while riding but also while parked, reducing charging 부담 for users who often make short trips.

It focuses on carrying capacity and climbing performance rather than speed. It has a geared hub motor rated at 750 watts on each of the front and rear wheels, with peak output of 1,000 watts each. Combined torque from the two motors is 160 newton metres. Otherlab introduces Lightfoot as micromobility for bike lanes and city roads rather than a high-speed electric motorcycle.

It also emphasises practicality. Inside the body is a lockable, waterproof storage compartment with a capacity of 45 litres for carrying groceries and other items, and a long bench-style seat supports two riders. It also features front and rear suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, 14-inch-class tyres, a 2,000-lumen headlight, an accelerometer-linked taillight, a 120-decibel horn, a Bluetooth-enabled display and regenerative braking.

Charging uses a standard electrical outlet. It has a 230-watt onboard charger and can fully charge the battery in about 4 hours. It is not designed to supply all power using solar energy alone, but it highlights the ability to reduce charging frequency through sunlight when used mainly for short distances.

Initial sales are limited to 100 units as a Launch Edition. The price is $4,495, including shipping, and reservations require a refundable $100. It is available in two colours: Sky Blue and Solar Orange.

Actual road legality may vary by local rules. Otherlab says it can be used without a licence or registration, but U.S. micromobility laws differ by state and local government. Even if the top speed is under 32 km per hour, not all areas apply the same standards as for bicycles.

Lightfoot combines solar panels, enclosed storage and a two-seat design despite a higher price than typical electric scooters. As it targets a new urban mobility option between electric bicycles and cars, how much value consumers place on that combination is expected to be key to establishing a market foothold.