GAIN E-Newsletter Sign-up
Paignton car designer developing sustainable light vehicle concept
After 37 years of designing vehicles, Steve Harper's latest project is to take the car right back to its sustainable roots.
He believes that sometime after 1908 when Henry Ford built the Model T, the concept underpinning the automobile took a wrong turn and lost the essence of why it was created.
His BAY Light Vehicle is based on the original premise that Herbert Austin and Henry Ford used when they began making bicycles and then cars: a simple and efficient concept for personal transport.
He says that sadly the original idea has mushroomed into today's Autobahn cruisers, capable of competing around the Nürburgring, carrying 4 sets of golf clubs, and providing Gentleman's Club levels of comfort and sophistication beyond the wit (and sustainability) of man.
So his BAYcycle has returned to the roots of personal transport with the development of a vehicle which has a range of 50 miles, is ideal for a typical 15 miles a day of either shopping or commuting, and is simple and cheap to manufacture.
Steve, a third generation car designer, says it's a kind of Austin 7 meets the i-Pod.
The BAYcycle which is being developed in a workshop in Paignton, Devon, uses a simple proven technology combined with lessons learnt from earlier practical motoring gems such as the Mini or 2CV together with simple bicycle and mobility scooter-inspired solutions.
It is constructed using a rotational moulded body with moulded panels over a pair of component carrying aluminium sub-frames, with very lightweight cycle-inspired engineering, which meets European and US specifications.
Because of a recent change in the law this type of vehicle is now classed in the UK & EU as a moped (4Kw max, 28mph), so can be driven by a 16 year-old.
Uniquely, the vehicle will have pedals (hence BAYcycle) not for drive, but for exercise and for adding range through recharging. Further recharging will be possible through regenerative braking and also with an optional PV panel system on the roof of the vehicle.
The essence of the project is local and sustainable. The vehicle is designed around the needs for both local urban & rural transport, but also involves a predominantly local supply chain, and is focused on local schools, colleges and businesses for involvement and participation in its development.
Production is planned to use South West suppliers, be based in the Torbay area, and be focused on the local market for initial sales.
The plan is to make around 1000 units per year, with an on the road price for the base version of around £5,000.
Steve says the current programme is 23 months from concept to production and he is actively seeking to establish partnerships with colleges, Universities, Technology Strategy Board and Regional Development funds for support and finance.
The total cost of the project is £4.2M, which includes proving the concept, using data driven prototype tooling and a full evaluation analysis and planning for the final tooling, manufacturing support and resources.
The partners include Paignton design consultants SHADO, business consultants SysSystain-ableemcon Engineering and Honiton-based LMC Ltd, who specialise in electric motors. South Devon College and Exeter University will also be involved with technical research and IT.
Since the inception of the concept, the young design team at SHADO has created in less than two months scale models, an ergonomics evaluation, interior seating buck, a fully digital computer model of the design theme, together vehicle and business cost packs and project plan, as well as a unique brand image and philosophy.
The next challenge is to create a running prototype ready for the Torbay Halfords weekend of May 25.
Steve says the vision is to break the mould. Instead of having giant car manufacturing plants operating on a global scale thousands of smaller companies making his product could operate anywhere in the world but within around 50 miles of its market.
This would require a local company employing between 30 to 50 people ranging from production to distribution, with as many of the components sourced locally.
The market focus is on the growth of young people who cannot afford to get mobile.
He adds: "Once we have got the business model it could be repeated anywhere in the world. The appeal is that they are created with a high proportion of locally sourced components and bought and used locally thus eliminating global supply chains.
"More than 80 per cent of our suppliers are from this area so the benefit is a gain for everyone."
His BAY Light Vehicle is based on the original premise that Herbert Austin and Henry Ford used when they began making bicycles and then cars: a simple and efficient concept for personal transport.
He says that sadly the original idea has mushroomed into today's Autobahn cruisers, capable of competing around the Nürburgring, carrying 4 sets of golf clubs, and providing Gentleman's Club levels of comfort and sophistication beyond the wit (and sustainability) of man.
So his BAYcycle has returned to the roots of personal transport with the development of a vehicle which has a range of 50 miles, is ideal for a typical 15 miles a day of either shopping or commuting, and is simple and cheap to manufacture.
Steve, a third generation car designer, says it's a kind of Austin 7 meets the i-Pod.
The BAYcycle which is being developed in a workshop in Paignton, Devon, uses a simple proven technology combined with lessons learnt from earlier practical motoring gems such as the Mini or 2CV together with simple bicycle and mobility scooter-inspired solutions.
It is constructed using a rotational moulded body with moulded panels over a pair of component carrying aluminium sub-frames, with very lightweight cycle-inspired engineering, which meets European and US specifications.
Because of a recent change in the law this type of vehicle is now classed in the UK & EU as a moped (4Kw max, 28mph), so can be driven by a 16 year-old.
Uniquely, the vehicle will have pedals (hence BAYcycle) not for drive, but for exercise and for adding range through recharging. Further recharging will be possible through regenerative braking and also with an optional PV panel system on the roof of the vehicle.
The essence of the project is local and sustainable. The vehicle is designed around the needs for both local urban & rural transport, but also involves a predominantly local supply chain, and is focused on local schools, colleges and businesses for involvement and participation in its development.
Production is planned to use South West suppliers, be based in the Torbay area, and be focused on the local market for initial sales.
The plan is to make around 1000 units per year, with an on the road price for the base version of around £5,000.
Steve says the current programme is 23 months from concept to production and he is actively seeking to establish partnerships with colleges, Universities, Technology Strategy Board and Regional Development funds for support and finance.
The total cost of the project is £4.2M, which includes proving the concept, using data driven prototype tooling and a full evaluation analysis and planning for the final tooling, manufacturing support and resources.
The partners include Paignton design consultants SHADO, business consultants SysSystain-ableemcon Engineering and Honiton-based LMC Ltd, who specialise in electric motors. South Devon College and Exeter University will also be involved with technical research and IT.
Since the inception of the concept, the young design team at SHADO has created in less than two months scale models, an ergonomics evaluation, interior seating buck, a fully digital computer model of the design theme, together vehicle and business cost packs and project plan, as well as a unique brand image and philosophy.
The next challenge is to create a running prototype ready for the Torbay Halfords weekend of May 25.
Steve says the vision is to break the mould. Instead of having giant car manufacturing plants operating on a global scale thousands of smaller companies making his product could operate anywhere in the world but within around 50 miles of its market.
This would require a local company employing between 30 to 50 people ranging from production to distribution, with as many of the components sourced locally.
The market focus is on the growth of young people who cannot afford to get mobile.
He adds: "Once we have got the business model it could be repeated anywhere in the world. The appeal is that they are created with a high proportion of locally sourced components and bought and used locally thus eliminating global supply chains.
"More than 80 per cent of our suppliers are from this area so the benefit is a gain for everyone."
