International Journal of Applied Power Engineering (IJAPE)
Vol 15, No 2: June 2026

Technological and philosophical perspectives on photovoltaic electric bicycles for sustainable mobility

Endang Susanti (Universitas Riau)
Azriyenni Azhari Zakri (Universitas Riau)
Antonius Rajagukguk (Universitas Riau)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Jun 2026

Abstract

This paper investigates photovoltaic-based electric bicycles (PV e-bikes) as sustainable transportation solutions through integrated technological and ethical analysis. Our systematic literature review and mathematical modeling examine technological advancements, environmental benefits, and implementation challenges. Key findings reveal PV e-bikes can extend travel range by 20.5 km on sunny days and reduce annual grid charging needs by 93% in optimal locations. Advanced perovskite solar cells achieving 25.7% efficiency show promise for revolutionizing on-the-go charging. Mathematical analysis reveals optimal PV panel sizing requires 45-225 W capacity depending on integration approach, with battery technologies ranging from LiFePOâ‚„ (2000-4000 cycles) to advanced lithium-ion systems. However, critical challenges persist including partial shading effects reducing efficiency by 65-82%, weather-dependent performance variations, and initial production costs of $467-900. The study addresses specific gaps in previous research by developing a comprehensive framework integrating technical performance metrics with ethical considerations. Novel contributions include: i) mathematical modeling of PV-battery optimization for e-bike applications, ii) systematic analysis of partial shading mitigation strategies, and iii) philosophical framework addressing social justice implications. Results demonstrate that while PV e-bikes offer significant environmental benefits, their widespread adoption requires addressing technological limitations, cost barriers, and equitable access concerns.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

IJAPE

Publisher

Subject

Electrical & Electronics Engineering

Description

International Journal of Applied Power Engineering (IJAPE) focuses on the applied works in the areas of power generation, transmission and distribution, sustainable energy, applications of power control in large power systems, etc. The main objective of IJAPE is to bring out the latest practices in ...