This is the kind of story Jo Borras, CleanTechnica’s on again, off again, sometime correspondent likes to tell us about as we sit around the campfire toasting marshmallows in Zachary’s backyard on a warm summer evening. Jo just naturally gravitates to the tales of strange vehicles that appeal to a global audience consisting of several dozen people.
Image credit: Zeltini
Many people looking to get away from it all, especially those in America, will trot on down to their local RV World dealer, plunk down $100,000 or so for a spiffy new camper with 11 slide outs, then swing by the Behemoths R Us dealer to buy a hulking diesel-powered pickemup to tow it to some peaceful place. Others buy a Tesla and take selfies of themselves stretched out in back inside an Orvis sleeping bag while they visit national parks and other sylvan locations.
If you are from Latvia, however, you may have a desire for a more intimate back to nature experience, one that comes with a sharply reduced environmental footprint. Behold the Zeltini Z-Triton — part electric tricycle, part camper, and part boat. Think of it as an AmphiCar for environmentalists that comes complete with its own green roof.
Image credit: Zeltini
Here’s how the company describes the Z-Triton on its website: “House-boat-trike or a tiny amphibious home / camper that allows you to travel over land and water. Perfect for either expeditions around the world or for recreation – a weekend getaway deep in the nature. Equipped with electric assistance it’s an easy and fun ride both on land and water.”
And the price for all this portable goodness? “Coming soon,” the company says. Surely less than a Tesla, though.
The front wheel is pedal powered, while the two rear wheels each have a 250 watt electric motor. The is also an electric outboard motor and a USB port. Range, according to AutoBlog, is 24.9 miles on land and 18.6 miles over the water. No top speed or acceleration times are given, which is probably a good thing. Ride and handling can probably be best described as rudimentary.
There are no known plans for volume manufacturing, although the way the world economy is heading, these devices could become the next new thing in transportation. All it needs is a Starlink hub and a few solar panels to make it the complete home away from home post-pandemic package.
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