The 3D Printed Electric Tricycle Made From Plastic Waste

Here at 3D Rapid Print, one of the fastest growing 3D Printing companies in the Thames Valley, we like to keep abreast of the latest innovations in 3D printing.

On August 4th 2021, architecture magazine Dezeen spoke of a prototype electric tricycle whose chassis was 3D printed from 70kg of supermarket plastic packaging waste. Named the ZUV, it was designed by design studio EOOS NEXT of Vienna, Austria and built in collaboration with The New Raw of Rotterdam, The Netherlands. (ZUV is short for Zero-emission Utility Vehicle. EOOS Next is the social design arm of design studio EOOS.) EOOS founder Harald Gründl envisioned the ZUV being designed such that its components could be locally repaired and/or replaced with locally sourced materials, with the chassis ultimately able to be shredded and re-printed if necessary.

Weighing 100kg, the ZUV has a seat that can fit 2 adults and a space at the front for transporting up to 2 children or an equivalent amount of cargo, such that the vehicle can accommodate a laden weight of up to 300kg. Powered by a rear-wheel hub motor without the need for pedals or a drive chain, it also has recesses in the front and back of the chassis that house tube lighting. In addition, it has a top speed of circa 15mph and a range of circa 31 miles on a single charge.

EOOS hopes that the ZUV could be used for short journeys carrying heavy loads where a car would usually be used. Furthermore, Gründl proclaimed that EOOS wanted a local ZUV production facility in every city around the world, claiming that almost every bike frame is made in Asia due to high labour costs in Europe. The prototype ZUV is part of the Climate Care exhibition at the Vienna Biennale for Change 2021, which runs until October 3rd.

3D printing is an amazing tool. It can grow your small business or start a mini revolution in an industry. Explore what it can do for you when you contact us today.

Disclaimer: Featured image of “Queensland cyclist, R. James on a rear steering rotary tricycle, ca. 1884 (3348629406)” (as it is known on Wikimedia Commons) was taken from Flickr’s The Commons and has no known copyright restrictions. It is nonetheless attributed to the State Library of Queensland, Australia.