Purdue University Student Builds a Bike that Runs on Solar and AC Power

The 1978 Suzuki motor cycle owned by Tony Coiro can whisk past any one without getting noticed. Unlike any other motor cycle it does not carry a fuel tank or a silencer to hush the noise of its engine. The old Suzuki motor cycle runs on clean green solar power.

Tony Coiro, a student of Purdue University, currently doing his physics major always had a passion for clean energy and transportation. He was aspiring to own a solar powered motor cycle because he thought that he can only buy a motor cycle within his limited budget. He chose the bike from the Craigslist and paid just $50 to own it. He has spent another $2,500 in replacing the vehicle fuel tank with batteries and connecting it with a two wing type of solar panels fixed on the sides of the vehicle. The panels were designed in such a way so that they can be moved to an upright position to draw solar energy and save it in the batteries when in a parked condition. He applied and received a license for his vehicle and got it insured with little persuasion and difficulty. In a fully charged condition the vehicle runs 24 miles continuously at a maximum speed of 45 mph. The batteries used in the vehicle can also be directly charged by connecting them to an AC current outlet.

The motor cycle will be displayed before the Stewart Center during the Alternatively Powered and Fueled Vehicle Show to be held at the University during its third Green Week celebrations. Commenting on the silent running of the vehicle Coiro said that the bike runs like a magic carpet. He added that a number of people curiously look at his bike when he rides it around.