Construction of a Solar-Powered Electric Tricycle for Goods Transportation in Market Communities of Kano State

The conventional kerosene and petrol-powered tricycles used for goods transportation in markets across Kano State, North West Nigeria, contribute significantly to urban air pollution and impose high fuel costs on low-income operators. This project presents the construction of a solar-assisted electric tricycle designed to serve the short-distance goods transportation needs of traders in the Kantin Kwari textile market in Kano. The drivetrain employs a 48-volt brushless DC hub motor controlled by a programmable motor controller, powered by a lithium iron phosphate battery pack. Solar panels mounted on a canopy framework above the cargo bed provide supplementary charging during daylight hours, extending operational range. Regenerative braking is incorporated to recover kinetic energy during deceleration. The fabricated tricycle was load-tested with cargo weights of up to 300 kilograms on a 2-kilometre test circuit representative of market road conditions in Kano. A fully charged battery pack provided a range of approximately 35 kilometres under load, meeting the daily operational distance requirement of 90 percent of surveyed market traders. Charging time from a standard 220-volt AC socket was 4.5 hours. Comparative cost analysis over a two-year operational period showed projected fuel savings of 65 percent relative to petrol tricycle operation. The study recommends government subsidy schemes to accelerate adoption of electric cargo tricycles in Nigerian urban markets. Keywords: electric tricycle, solar assist, goods transportation, brushless DC motor, Kano State