Urban Transport

Four-wheeled Screecher electric pedalcycle rolls on solar power

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The Screecher's solar panels can top up the Li-ion battery when parked up
Screecher
The Screecher's front seat rider can choose from five electric assist levels
Screecher
The Screecher pedalcycle folds up for transport, though at 120 lb you may need some help getting it into the trunk
Screecher
The Screecher's motor-only range of 20 miles can be extended by engaging pedal assist modes
Screecher
The Screecher's windshield can be removed if riders prefer to feel the wind in their faces
Screecher
The Screecher rocks two 350 W electric motors and a 48 V/12.8 Ah Li-ion battery
Screecher
The Screecher has padded seating for two, room for cargo and a trailer can be towed too
Screecher
The Screecher's solar panels can top up the Li-ion battery when parked up
Screecher
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Screecher – out of Yarmouth, MA – describes its four-wheel drive, two seat, solar-powered, folding pedalcycle as fun, affordable, practical and Earth-friendly. Riders can zip up to 15 mph on motor power alone, or choose from five levels of pedal assist. The onboard battery can be plugged in for a top up, or users can park up in a sunny spot and let the solar panels do their thing.

"Our goal was to solve a particular problem: the lack of affordable, electric-powered, carbon-neutral transportation," said Screecher's President Leslie Gillert in a press release. "We did not set out to build an expensive and over-engineered product, available to only a few. Our design is elegant, functional, and simple, which offers greater stability, comfort, and easier maintenance."

The Screecher has padded seating for two, room for cargo and a trailer can be towed too
Screecher

The Screecher looks like a comfortable ride, sporting padded seating for two, though only the rider in front does any pedaling, and there doesn't appear to be any foot rests for the passenger. There's room for cargo too, or a trailer can be towed to the rear.

And if you're using the pedalcycle as a last mile transport solution, it folds down for transport in larger cars or SUVs. At 120 lb (54 kg) though, you may need some help getting it into the trunk.

Its two 350 W electric motors are reported capable of getting the rider up to 15 mph from a standing start in 5 seconds. The Screecher has a 20 mile motor-only range, but that can be extended using the five available pedal assist modes, and the 100 W solar panel up top is claimed to charge up the 48 V/12.8 Ah Li-ion battery in four hours, though this seems a tad optimistic. It can be plugged into the mains when the sun isn't shining and regen braking might eke a little more range out of the battery.

"You can pedal for miles including steep hills, even if you're not quite as fit as a younger you," explained CEO Dave Eshelman in a blog post. "You can commute to work, by-passing traffic and hassles. You can go with a friend on a wooded trail, and converse without noise pollution. You can dash to the grocery store and attach a small trailer to bring home the goods. How you use your Screecher is entirely up to you."

The Screecher's windshield can be removed if riders prefer to feel the wind in their faces
Screecher

There's an LCD trip computer with an odometer and speedo – and which shows pedal assist level, battery charge level and engages cruise control. And a rear-view mirror, a removable windshield and a safety flag included in the package too.

The Screecher is currently up for pre-order at US$2,500, with production set to start next month. And if you're wondering about the name, Eshelman has an answer for you. "Like a Screech Owl, Screecher is a quiet, quick, and beautiful creation," he said. "Screech Owls are also wise, clear-eyed, and fearlessly looking towards the future. Designing and building beautiful, fearlessly practical, and forward-looking electric transportation is our passion."

You can see the four-wheeler in action in the video below.

Update November 8, 2018: Screecher has confirmed that there are footrests for the passenger, which fold away when not in use.

Product page: Screecher

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6 comments
Username
I think there is a need for a promotional video music regulatory board!
Daishi
@Username any music under copyright is mostly off limits for a promotional video. Even if you sought proper licensing there is risk the bots would automatically flag it upon finding it and the video could be taken down at a really bad time. The result is people often use open licensed jungles in their videos that are sometimes a little tacky. I do think the Screecher looks fun to drive. $2500 is lower than I was expecting.
YouAre
Nice quad! Not sure about its last mile qualities, but overall seems to be a good value. If you are interested in a faired recumbent with much longer range, please check my take on the subject: pvvelo.blogspot.com/p/main-page.html
PAV
Finally, a price that is not outrageous.
ljaques
I instantly had to mute that ghastly noise on the video. That's how the vehicle was named. Everyone watching the video ran out screeching. If that doesn't scare off sales, nothing will.
LOVE the vehicle, and the price isn't too terribly obnoxious. I'd build it with suspension, for certain sure. Doesn't that slot under the back seat look just perfect to fit a pizza box to take down to the beach?
I don't buy that "regen braking" thing at all, even though my Chiwanese controller says the same thing., but maybe they've improved on it. Not that it (combined with the solar panel) would have a ghost of a chance at recharging the battery in a short afternoon.
I'll bet two things: that they'll sell a lot of these, and that they end up putting suspension all the way around them by the second round of manufacture. Well, that's IF they lose that video noise first. ;)
peter995
Looks nice, but it doesn't look like a very ergonomic pedaling position, so I imagine that it would be a beast to run on pedal power alone. Also, it's a nuisance to drive a quad when the front and back wheels don't follow the same track - same problem with a trike - you are guaranteed to hit every pothole.