As Northern Light Motors themselves say, their three-wheeled, fully-enclosed machine is not your average electric vehicle - as one glance at it will tell you. It's the fruition of many years' thought and planning as it has been around in prototype form at least - and all over the internet - for several years. And now, as you can see on their Facebook page, individually specced examples are being assembled to order.
So how to describe this extraordinary looking three-wheeler? Velomobile is the standard term for an enclosed recumbent bike (i.e. where the rider sits down or in some extreme cases lies prone or supine). So perhaps electric velomobile is technically correct, but that doesn't convey the blend of retro chic and futuristic, aerodynamic elan that is the Northern Light.
Just important as name and looks is what the Northern Light will do for the rider. It's a weatherproof vehicle (there are pedal only, e-bike and more powerful, faster versions) with the design focus on efficiency, safety and comfort. In other words the Northern Light promises a ride where you won't get wet and will have the benefit of full suspension and crumple zones, safety cell and roll hoop.
The company themselves are UK-based and the Northern Light is the brainchild of automotive designer Graham Browne.
The vehicles
There are two off-the-peg electric Northern Light variants. (Though note the 428 model can be retrofitted with similar electric assist to the 557. It is their budget model with some self-assembly required, with prices starting at £4,000, depending on spec).
The 557 gives you the option of choosing a rear wheel hub motor of between 250W and 750W (250W being the UK legal standard of course). Reading their website carefully, it seems 15.5mph is the top electrically-assisted speed, whilst the top speed under pedal power is claimed to be 40mph. The Wh capacity of the battery is not made clear but claimed range is 50 miles.
The 630 variant has a 1.5kw motor and is classed as a 28mph assist moped in the UK. Northern Light Motors say, "So if you are over 16 and have a CBT licence or passed your driving test before February 2001, you can legally pilot a 630 in the UK."
It doesn't mention if the vehicle is type-approved or if insurance is commercially available. Stated weight is 55kg - the same as the 557.
There are many features in common across the range though and even the lowest spec 430 can be upgraded to the 630 at a later date. All are based around the same vinyl-wrapped body with special crumple zones for safety and durability. There is also leaf spring suspension, front and rear lighting, plus turn indicators, hydraulic disc brakes and high performance road tyres. All models share the same dimensions of 1.28m (W) x 3.4m (L) x 1.15m (H).
Future expansion?
Northern Light Motors' Facebook page says the company is only currently shipping to the UK and their production target is one a week, ramping up to four per week in a few months. The goal is 15 per week.
There are plans to expand into Europe first then the US and Canada.
If Northern Lights could achieve their expansion plans, it would be a very exciting development in a world where it can be difficult to distinguish between different brands of e-bikes that can look remarkably 'samey'.
They have chosen an ambitious project in an area where many similarly unique light electric vehicles have struggled to get enough sales or, critically, the large scale investment to really make their vehicles commercially feasible. If Northern Lights manage it, it would be a great British success story.
