This Electric Trike Can Float On Water While You Camp In It

Created to offer a sustainable way of travelling locally, the BeTRITON is an all-in-one electric trike, camper and boat

Have you ever wanted a camper that you could pedal, and could also float while you cook up your favourite meal? Well, me neither. That is until I came across a unique RV called BeTRITON. Designed by a Latvian-based urban designer during a cycle ride from London to Tokyo, this electric mobility vehicle was created to provide a sustainable and convenient means of pedal travel.

The BeTRITON is an amphibious electric camper trike for two passengers that allows for travel over land and water while providing a place to rest. When in boat mode, it can propel up to a speed of 5kmph for a distance of 20km purely on battery power. There’s also the provision to power this boat the old-fashioned way, with oars. In tricycle mode, one can zip around for 50km reaching speeds of up to 25kmph. Of course, being primarily an electric cycle, it has a set of pedals that allows it to increase the cruising range.

Sitting on an aluminium frame, and enclosed by body panels made from organic fibreglass, the BeTRITON has a positive CO2 footprint, as it is 100 percent electric. In boat mode it is powered by a 1150W electric motor, while in bike mode it is powered by a 1500W electric motor, both of which are coupled to a 2.6kW Lithium-ion battery pack. The trike is suspended on coil springs at the rear, and anchored by hydraulic brakes all around, along with a parking lock. In boat mode, the vehicle is currently only limited to freshwater, as it is not designed to tackle ocean waves and withstand constant salty water.

Weighing only 250kg, the camper is sealed offering perfect protection during monsoons, has sleeping space for two adults and comes equipped with exterior and interior lights, four USB charging sockets, 100W solar panels integrated into the roof, horns for both modes and a removable plant pot as standard. Additionally, there are various optional upgrades to choose from, like an additional battery pack, decorative wheel discs, folding table, attachable oars, radio with bluetooth, camping equipment and towing trailer.

Prices are expected to be around EUR 14,500 (Rs 11.85 lakh), which makes it prohibitively expensive for the Indian market. However, renting out such a vehicle would definitely open up new avenues in the adventure-tourism sector.