Editor’s note: Durham-based ELF, the designer and producer of solar, electric, pedal-powered vehicle, is one of NCTA’s Beacon Award winners. In the latest in a series of profiles about the 10 winners, writer Ann Revell-Pechar offers a profile at ExitEvent. The winners were recognized last week. ExitEvent is a news partner of WRAL TechWire.
DURHAM, N.C. - At Durham’s Organic Transit, high-level design combines with passion, determination and advanced engineering skills to propel the company to meet its goals.
Organic Transit makes the ELF, a solar and pedal-powered hybrid vehicle touted as the most efficient transportation currently available. The founder and engineers came up with this unique design as a way to move people away from their dependence on oil with a fun—and healthy—technology. But the focus remains environmental.
Global Sustainability
“We’re surpassing sustainability,” says Rob Cotter, founder and CEO. “Our goal is actually ‘Environmental Prosperity,’ which we define as creating products that make the user, the community and the planet healthier and more livable.”
In the first 18 months of production, Organic Transit has delivered 425 ELFs, which have prevented 5.1 million pounds of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. The impact has the same impact as planting 382,000 trees each year. While Cotter underscores a goal of addressing the negative effects of climate change, he also highlights the additional benefits the ELF provides: moving people away from a sedentary lifestyle, providing low-cost transportation alternatives and accessibility for the disabled.
The full post can be read at ExitEvent.
