SolarTuk Expedition

Where's the Tuk Tuk?

And we're off!

Around the World by Solar Powered Tuk Tuk

Instagram: @solartukexpedition

Global Solar Circumnavigation

Around the World on Three Wheels

The big one.

The SolarTuk Expedition team will complete an entire lap of Planet Earth on three wheels, and powered by the sun.

This expedition will be a complex, long and challenging journey covering all climates, terrains, and national borders. We will engage with students, communities, politicians and designers as we make our way across Australia, Asia, Europe, North America and return to our starting point in Melbourne, Australia.

This complex journey will be the first of its kind, travelling on three wheels and powered by sunshine.

Every line of longitude. 360 degrees.

Timeline:

Now - Bangkok, Thailand
20 June to 25 June - Bangkok to Mae Sot
25 June to 30 June - Myanmar
July - India
Jul to 10 August - India to Mumbai
Mid August - Ship to Iran
Mid August to Mid September - Iran
September - Turkey
October - Europe
November - USA

Do you live on our route?

Host us! - We'd love to visit and share our journey. Drop us a line: julian@unbound.edu.au

The world's most unlikely expedition vehicle.

Powered by sunshine.

The humble tuk tuk, also known as an auto-rickshaw, is used by millions of people around the world for their daily commute. They're loud, dirty, small and fun. What they're not known for is being part of a sustainable transport future, or the vehicle of choice for a long-distance expedition.

Until now.

Over the next twelve months a team of young Australians will convert a Thai-made tuk tuk into a three-wheeled, sun-powered, long-range electric vehicle to promote sustainable transport and a low-carbon future.

We will travel the length of Australia, and then around the globe, to show that an unlikely green vehicle can go the distance.

Our journey will involve outreach with schools, community groups, and sharing stories of innovation, environment, electric vehicles, and global adventure.

Is it possible? Can we make it? We don't know for sure - but it'll be a hell of a ride trying to find out.

Welcome to the SolarTuk Expedition

EXPEDITION OVERVIEW

The SolarTuk Expedition is an ambitious journey using an unlikely vehicle, re-engineered for sustainable travel. This is a world-first journey across the Australian continent by a solar electric tuk tuk. We then aim to complete a lap of Planet Earth - circumnavigating the globe powered by the sun.

Expedition 1 Across Australia (South to North)

Distance 3,000+ km

Route Melbourne, Victoria to Great Barrier Reef (Cairns), Queensland

***

Expedition 2 Global Solar Circumnavigation

Distance 30,000+ km

Route Melbourne, Australia around the world, travelling west

VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS

Our vehicle is a second-hand, Thai-made vehicle from the Tuk Tuk Factory, a leading manufacturer of electric vehicles. It is undergoing upgrades - including the addition of a photovoltaic solar system - from an engineering team at RMIT University in Melbourne.

~Manufactured   Bangkok, Thailand

Capacity 1 Driver + 4 Passengers

Speed 50 km/hour

Weight   900 kg

Length   3.98 m

Motor   7 kW

Range ~ 300 km per charge

Media + Our Story So Far

Our Current Location

Location - Tuk Tuk Factory, Bangkok, Thailand

Expedition Partners

Unbound

Australia's most innovative educational social enterprise, creating learning journeys around the world.

Find out more: www.unbound.edu.au

RMIT University

Bringing the technology to life, supported by the RMIT University School of Engineering.

Find out more: www.rmit.edu.au

Arup

Arup is an independent firm of designers, engineers, architects, planners, consultants and technical specialists working across every aspect of today's built environment.

Find out more: www.arup.com

Freshwater Group

Freshwater Group is a best practice energy sector recruitment business operating across the whole of Australasia.

Find out more: www.freshwater-group.com.au

Australia-ASEAN Council

The Australia-ASEAN Council's mission is to increase knowledge and promote Australia's interests in South-East Asia by initiating and supporting activities designed to enhance awareness, understanding and links between people and institutions in Australia and ten South-East Asian countries.

The SolarTuk Project and our engagement in SE Asia is supported with a 2018/19 grant. Find out more

Diamond Energy

Diamond Energy is an energy retailer committed to creating and generating renewable energy derived from Australia's natural resources, including wind, solar and biogas, at a lower cost.

Find out more: www.diamondenergy.com.au

Bluevolt Solar

Bluevolt Solar is on an amazing journey to do new things with solar power.

Find out more: www.bluevoltsolar.com

Australian Geographic Society

The Australian Geographic Society is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting adventure, science and the community.

Founded in 1987 by Dick Smith, the Australian Geographic Society is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting scientific research, protecting and fostering a love for our environmental and natural heritage, encouraging the spirit of discovery and spreading the knowledge of Australia to Australians and the world.

The SolarTuk Expedition is supported by a grant from the Australian Geographic Society. Find out more.

Expedition Collaborators

350.org Australia

350.org Australia aims to rapidly end fossil fuels by building a global climate movement.

Find out more: www.350.org.au

SolarCitizens

Solar Citizens is an independent, community-based organisation bringing together millions of solar owners and supporters to grow and protect solar in Australia

Find out more: www.solarcitizens.org.au

Australian Electric Vehicle Association

The Australian Electric Vehicle Association Inc. is a volunteer run, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to switching Australia's transport networks to electric drive as quickly as possible.

Find out more: www.aeva.asn.au

My Electric Car

Since 2009, My Electric Car has been a community information resource for electric cars and vehicles in Australia.

Find out more: https://myelectriccar.com.au/

RACV Noosa Resort

Along with providing a 5-star accommodation experience, the RACV Noosa Resort is a leader in responsible and sustainable tourism. The resort has achieved Silver certification by EarthCheck, making significant improvements to its energy consumption, GHG emissions, waste and water use.

Find out more: www.racv.com.au

Expedition 1 - Great Australian Crossing

Three Wheels. Powered by the Australian Sun.

Status: Complete - December 2018

Departure: Melbourne, Victoria
Arrival: Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

Distance: 3,000+ km

Status: Complete!

Leaving from Melbourne, the world's most liveable city to the Great Barrier Reef in northern Queensland, this expedition will see the team travel the length of the Australian continent powered only by sunshine.

This remarkable journey will travel through significant parts of the country - the major cities of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. The nation's capital of Canberra. It will involve remote areas of the Australian outback, as well as stunning seaside road, mountain forests, and more.

Our goal is to use 100% solar power and make our way across the country - meeting with schools, politicians, innovators, educators, media and the wider community to share how transport can be more sustainable.

Follow the Journey
@solartukexpedition

World's Longest Journey by Solar Powered Tuk Tuk

30,000+ km
20+ countries
0 carbon emissions

THE TEAM

We have a growing team of designers, engineers and explorers making this project a reality. Here are some of the characters making this project a reality.

Julian O'Shea

Expedition Lead

Jack Clarke

Co-pilot and Expedition Engineer

Rebecca Watts

Outreach Coordinator

Matt Edwards

Photovoltaics Coordinator

Hannah Sharp

Logistics and Communications

RMIT Engineering

Technical Build Team

Mario Gonzalez

Photography and Videography

Anna Santos

Graphic Design and PR Advisor

Carl Muir

People and Culture

Talia Rose

Animal Handler

Kaylie Melville

Artist in Residence

Glen Anderson

Hero of SolarTuk

The SolarTuk Expedition is an adventurous insight into the future of sustainable transportation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Seriously...?
Yes!

What inspired this project?
Our team has worked significantly in Asia, the home of rickshaws and tuk tuks. They are such great vehicles, and a lot of fun. We also care a lot about the environment, and believe we need to find more sustainable ways to live, work and travel, and transportation is an important part of the equation. We think that electric vehicles have a role to play, and would love to see a faster transition to greener forms of mobility. We think that if we can make it across Australia and the world in a slow-moving tuk tuk, then people needn't be too worried about the range of their own, more appropriate, electric vehicles.

What are the challenges?
Technically, we will need to upgrade our battery system and add an entire new photovoltaic solar system on the vehicle. We need to ensure we will have the range to make these ambitious journeys. On the trips themselves, we will need to plan our route carefully, the vehicle runs great but will struggle with complex terrain, big inclines, dirt roads and a lot more. A major part of the project is navigating the logistics and bureaucracy of importing, licensing and registering a vehicle across 20+ countries. This is all part of the fun.

What about the oceans?
This is not an amphibious tuk tuk. Yet. On our global expedition we will be using cargo ships. Everything else will be driven.

What's the vehicle you're driving?
We are in a modified 2014 Tuk Tuk Factory (Limo) built in Bangkok, Thailand. The Tuk Tuk Factory make vehicles designed in the Netherlands, manufactured in Thailand, for export around the world, including the EU.

Is it road legal?
Yes, it is registered in Victoria, Australia and legal for use on standard road.

Will you be coming by my hometown? I'd love to make you lunch and show you around.
That would be lovely. See our itinerary and timeline, and would love to connect while we're in town. We need your help in finding solar-powered homes or buildings we can recharge in (in addition to our own solar panels), engagement with community groups and the media, and a friendly face to show us around. Get in touch and we can make plans.

I'm in the media and am interested in a story. Would someone be available for an interview?
Sure can, we are happy to talk widely about this project, please get in touch and we'd be happy to chat. The vehicle is located in Melbourne, Australia so can do a piece in person - or are happy to share images and talk remotely.

Contact Us + Media

We are happy to be involved in media, education, speaking and other projects.

Drop us a line and we can chat further.

Contact

Julian O'Shea - julian@unbound.edu.au / 0400260565