Nowadays, sidecars are not common on our roads. The idea of connecting a motorcycle to a sidecar to increase the load capacity, whether for people or goods, is not very attractive, and there are surely several reasons for this. The first may be at the level of conversion, because not all motorcycles are prepared to anchor a sidecar to the side. In addition, those that allow it, often require a long job.
The second is that, although the idea of having three wheels instead of two may seem interesting, the consequences are that driving the machine becomes much more complex. Thus, the theoretical advantages that a sidecar could have outweigh the perceived disadvantages.
What cannot be denied is that, especially in developing countries where access to a car is almost impossible, it can be an interesting solution as long as it is safer. And that is what Honda is working on, which is working on an electric sidecar to partially counteract the negative situations we mentioned earlier.
The Japanese giant’s idea is to create a sidecar with electric aids that have been revealed through a patent that seeks to eliminate or make less critical these problems, and that without having to make any modifications to the bike. The idea, broadly speaking, is that the wheel of the electric sidecar is motorized, and that the motor used is capable of accelerating or braking as necessary.
The electric sidecar would carry its own batteries
In order for this engine to work properly, the electric sidecar would have to have a series of load sensors on the supports that connect the sidecar and the motorcycle. What’s more, the motorcycle, which can be electric or combustion-powered, would not have to be modified in any way, because all management would be carried out by the sidecar and its control unit, which would convert the data collected into actions on the wheel that would help it to manoeuvre in a simpler way.
As for the electric sidecar itself, it would have its own batteries, confirming once again its total independence from the motorcycle. It remains to be seen whether the braking would be regenerative and the autonomy that the sidecar could have if, for example, during circulation and if it does not need to be used, it recovers electricity from movement.
In any case, it is a solution with current technology to a vehicle that was very popular in the past and that, as we saw at the beginning, can offer great advantages.
