What the Project Is
Cobrane Design is a French manufacturer specialized in the conception and production of LEV Light Electric Vehicles. Since 2012, this company has been designing, manufacturing, and distributing professional electric tricycles to meet the mobility needs of diverse sectors including facility management and last mile delivery. The vehicles are optimized for both urban environments and industrial sites. Whether it is a delivery in a busy city center or movement in a vast factory floor, the design is clearly tailored for efficiency, safety, and sustainability… all while keeping the spirit of micro-handling and micro-mobility alive.
Main Benefit
Key figures and facts illustrate the advantages:
- Capable of transporting up to 150 kg of payload or storing up to 1 m³ of volume.
- Dedicated Urban range designed for dynamic city deliveries.
- Facility range engineered to meet the rigorous demands of industrial sites and logistics activities.
- Vehicles operate at limited speeds of 15 kph, ensuring enhanced safety with a balancing system for turning.
- Electric carrier systems ideal for transporting less than 200 kg over a range of 30 km.
Micro-Handling and Micro-Mobility Innovation
Cobrane Design’s approach challenges the traditional need for a 1.5-ton vehicle when transporting a technician and his tool case. The solution lies in specialized electric tricycles that provide a unique blend of micro-handling and micro-mobility. These vehicles are designed with a hub motor in the front wheel, effectively combining maneuverability and ecological benefits. The platform comes in both short and long versions, yet these share the same main parts, a testament to the innovative engineering behind them. This approach not only increases productivity by reducing work penibility but also offers rapid movement in congested urban environments.
Industrial and Urban Applications
The electric tricycles by Cobrane are deployed across a range of applications. In large factories and industrial sites, the vehicles provide an ecological alternative to the conventional diesel cars, ensuring silent operations without emission. In urban settings, they address the explosion of the online market and home deliveries, being especially suited for last mile operations in the center of big cities. The design helps navigate high-traffic areas such as airports and busy city centers, providing a flexible solution that alleviates congestion and enhances overall mobility.
Innovative Energy Initiatives
Beyond the mechanical innovations, Cobrane Design is active on the energy front. The company is spearheading a hydrogen program in collaboration with the French laboratory CEA. The initiative is aimed at increasing the range of the Cobrane XL for last mile operations in town, promising an even more sustainable solution. There is anticipation of having this hydrogen-ready solution available by the end of 2020. The integration of hydrogen technology is not just a nod to cleaner energy; it is a commitment to an ecological adventure recognized by accolades such as the Solar Impulse label.
Customization and Client-Centric Solutions
Clients of Cobrane are primarily large factories or postal operations with significant mobility challenges. The vehicles come with a complete range of accessories that can be customized to fulfill specific needs—whether it is safety enhancements, improved cleanliness, or towing capabilities. In industrial environments, the tricycles are engineered to facilitate movement in complex settings with narrow paths and congested zones. In urban settings, the design supports rapid parcel delivery without the need for large, cumbersome vehicles, offering a nimble, eco-friendly alternative that makes every movement count.
The Project Impact
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Promoting electric mobility and cleaner energy usage.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Pioneering innovative designs for industrial and urban mobility.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Enhancing urban delivery systems while minimizing congestion and pollution.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – Reducing carbon emissions with quiet, non-polluting electric tricycles.
Looking Ahead
The future for Cobrane Design appears dynamic and promising. With the infusion of new technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells and an ongoing drive towards eco-friendly solutions, the project is poised to revolutionize mobility in both industrial and urban landscapes. Cobrane’s blend of smart design, sustainable energy, and ergonomic solutions indicates a clear understanding of the diverse mobility challenges faced by modern businesses. As cities continue to grow and industrial needs evolve, the commitment to safe, efficient, and silent transportation becomes even more critical… paving the way for a mobility revolution that is as innovative as it is responsible.
