FANTASY FLEET
Tukas EV’s HR Bank
A few years ago, I clocked up quite a few hours on a turbo trainer, many of which were spent pondering how I could re-use the power I was generating. As with most of my great ideas, it didn’t get much further than the boundaries of my brain, unlike the people at Tukas EV. The Lithuanian company has spent the past 14 years working on increasing the potential of renewable energy, in products that have sustainability at their heart.
“An exercise bike that embraces recycling, HR Bank is fully customisable and can incorporate either a small or large desk fitted on top of the handlebars”
Back when the company was formed – in 2010 – the main focus at the business was its Jonelis electric car. However, things have since progressed – both within the business and the mobility world as a whole – which brings us to the funky-looking HR Bank.
An exercise bike that embraces recycling, HR Bank is fully customisable and can incorporate either a small or large desk fitted on top of the handlebars, allowing users to work as they pedal. Meanwhile, other options include a child’s saddle, different coloured side panel and a vegan or genuine leather for the saddle.
“Our goal was to create a product that fits effortlessly into different lifestyles and spaces, proving that practicality, aesthetic appeal, and eco-friendliness can coexist,” says Aurelijus Jaškulis, COO of Tukas EV. Packaged in an easy-to-assemble form – and with environmental concerns very much evident, we would say it’s mission accomplished with the HR Bank.
Construction features recycled aluminium and birch plywood, reducing the reliance on new materials or resources and also cutting energy consumption during the production phase. The use of these materials will make businesses think twice about the growing issue of e-waste – and also motivate and provide a new focus for fleet staff to be eco-conscious, hopes Jaškulis.
“It’s vital for companies to adopt a more environmentally conscious approach in all aspects of their operations if we want to lessen our eco-footprint and minimise the waste we produce,” he reasons.
Despite the eco emphasis, there’s plenty of mod-cons onboard. The unit is WiFi- and Bluetooth-compatible and features numerous USB ports as well as a wireless phone charger. Want to get fit and create your own power? Get on the HR Bank and see how you get on, because human pedalling can generate up to 500W. Tuskas EV reports that, on average, riders can charge a smartphone in 15 minutes or keep a WiFi router going for an hour after seven minutes’ pedalling. Those who fancy a longer shift can spend two hours in the saddle and bake a pie at the same time!
Power-wise, there’s a choice of the standard 750Wh version, or – for an extra €407 – a 2kWh item. Anyone not keen to exert energy can keep it stored in the HR Bank from either the sun, or the standard electricity supply. With the 2kWh version of the bike, the stored energy is enough to charge more than 20 laptops, watch two full days of TV or microwave more than 100 meals.
