E-Tuk Factory: Ergonomic Solutions for a Sustainable Future

The transportation and logistics sectors across industrialised nations continue to leave behind a large carbon footprint due to their extensive usage of fuel-powered vehicles, despite the proliferation of electric vehicles. Realising this challenge early on at the dawn of the EV revolution, E-Tuk Factory—a well-established Etuk production company—reckoned that the logistics and transportation sector demanded eco-friendly solutions to reduce their carbon footprint. This realisation, coupled with the zeal to develop solutions for sustainability, gave birth to the company’s electric Tuks to be used as taxis, LCVs (Light Commercial Vehicles), utility NEVs (neighbourhood electric vehicles), sightseeing vehicles, and mobile vending vehicles.

The e-mobility pioneer’s prowess in the EV space is attributed to four vital components - vehicles, batteries, data, and service. The combination of these components is ushering in a revolution in e-mobility and enables it to provide clients with a tailor-made package for varied necessities. “We produce a vehicle in modular way with our own flat lithium battery and test it for a specific project based on data. This results in the perfect solution, and clients can spend their money well for the needed solution in the inner city,” states Maarten Lijftogt, Director of Business Development of E-Tuk Factory. The organisation manufactures all of the essential components for its lithium battery in-house, barring the battery cells purchased from a third-party source.

Once the cells are acquired, it assembles the most feasible battery configuration for a client, depending on their requirements. Not long ago, the company manufactured its vehicles in Thailand and then shipped the parts to Europe and the US for final assembly and the sale of the vehicle.

However, with the onset of COVID-19, the company started manufacturing its vehicles in Portugal to stay close to the supply chain due to the complexity and challenges of the supply chain.

Although the company focused on selling E-Tuks for people transportation and vendor services, it was quick to realise that cargo companies were shifting away from high-capacity vehicles and toward ‘ten-minute delivery vehicles.’ Capitalising on this opportunity, the company began designing Etuks (scooter tricycles) equipped with specific storage compartments based on clients’ needs for last-mile delivery. The firm’s box solutions, which vary from one to four cubic metres storage boxes, ensure clients achieve unmatched efficiency in their last-mile deliveries, as cost per parcel is vital for their business. It runs a series of smart testing on the E-Tuks and clients in inner cities and based on the data gathered, the company provides them with a suitable choice of vehicle, storage box, and battery. More importantly, all of the company’s vehicles are equipped with telematics – a vehicle intelligence system (VIS) – that monitors vehicles during the commute and provides information pertaining to noteworthy functionalities to act on along the route. The VIS enables drivers to view the status of the vehicle and battery, drive through the most efficient route, and learn from the previous deliveries. Clients can also obtain complete control over their delivery fleet, be proactive in their engagements, and ultimately save money through the comprehensive mobility solution for vehicle management.

One of the examples demonstrating the sophistication and utility of the company’s solution is the deployment of its 600 limo GTs in the streets of Lisbon for people’s transportation. E-Tuk Factory developed ‘Let’s Tuxi’ with the stakeholders– a booking application that customers can use to register for city tours, shuttle services, and taxi services. E-Tuk Factory is coming to the market with the SmarTuk Cargo/Vendor scooter based on the L5 vehicle technology, but with a new 2030 design for speedy last-mile deliveries. Along with the success of its E-Tuks and 12 years of expertise in the LEV business in Europe, E-Tuk Factory is looking forward to re-establishing a production facility in the United States with a partner. The company also plans to improve its global footprint by seeking local manufacturers in Asia, Africa, and South America and offering a “smart power pack” and a handbook on manufacturing and assembling an E-Tuk. With such a diverse range of LEVs for use in logistics and transportation and a global expansion plan, the company distinguishes itself as a one-of-a-kind producer dedicated to a more smart, green, and clean ecosystem