Follow-Up: Solar Mobility in the Andean Highlands of Argentina

One of our SEPS projects in Argentina aimed to introduce and test electric bikes and electric motorcycles as mobility options for short and medium distances in the Puna region (in the Andean highlands, 3,700 metres above sea level) and San Salvador (the capital of the province of Jujuy). During a recent follow-up phase, from April to December 2016, maintenance work and wider dissemination of the idea was undertaken.

Since the main project phase (2014-2015), a total of twenty e-bikes have been in use by farmers and other villagers. Due to the rough road conditions, the bikes were in need of repair – the follow-up phase allowed for extensive technical maintenance to be carried out by trained technicians.

Additionally, Fundación EcoAndina was able to expand the Andean Solar Mobility concept and promote their ideas to a wider public at different fairs and festivals. Even the local government acquired e-bikes for their employees.

The initial success of the project resulted in the installation of a small-scale e-bike production unit in Jujuy, which offers the assembly of e-bikes on demand. However, even with the high level of interest shown by local people, the main obstacle for broader e-bike usage is still the elevated price tag.

Read more about the project on our SEPS project page: Solar Mobility in the Andean Highlands of Argentina