GOALS:
- Build solar trailers that can be delivered into a disaster zone to charge cell phones
- Donate at least two cell phone charging trailers and electric ATVs to a disaster group
- Give a large donation to the American Red Cross just before Christmas
When disasters like Hurricane Sandy shut down the power grid for extended periods of time, charging mobile phones presents a major challenge for those hit the hardest. As Sandy and many other storms have demonstrated, cell phones are an essential lifeline that allows people to contact emergency providers, talk with loved ones, coordinate relief efforts and use mobile internet to keep track of local developments.
To keep this lifeline flowing, ApocalypsEV created a portable phone charging trailer concept called the ATST (All Terrain Solar Trailer). The ATST is capable of charging up to 100 phones simultaneously and is designed to be towed to its destination by an electric ATV. This will allow ATSTs to be deployed in disaster zones where roads are closed due to damaged infrastructure and debris.
With your help ApocalypsEV is looking to raise $100k for current and future disaster relief. We plan to send 25% of all funds raised to the American Red Cross, just in time for Christmas. With the remaining funds, we will buy the tools and supplies needed to create an initial fleet of solar powered phone-charging trailers and a pair of disaster ready, electrically powered ATVs that can deliver these trailers without relying on potentially damaged gas and eclectic infrastructures.
The trailers will carry at least 1200W of solar panels that charge a bank of deep cycle all weather AGM batteries. A combination of 100 USB ports and 110V plugs will be spread over the trailer with the goal of charging 100 cell phones simultaneously. The trailers can be left in areas without power for as long as it takes to get the utilities back up and running. Furthermore, if it proves practical, the trailers will also feature a WIFI satellite uplink.
ApocalypsEV is dedicated to low cost electric vehicles capable of surviving the toughest conditions. With your help we can give the American Red Cross a boost with the immediate Sandy aid effort, and create a new system that will keep the phones on during future disasters. If the ATST towed by electric ATV concept is well received in the field, ApocalypsEV will be able to continue production and deliver them to first responders and relief efforts around the world.
ApocalypsEV's founders, Kenny and Mike Ham have extensive experience building solar vehicles. In addition to co-founding ApocalypsEV, Kenny is president of the Solar Boat Club at the Kansas State University Salina, and has built an electric ATV and together they build a solar trike. We hope you can help us apply this experience to deliver disaster relief ATSTs to those who need it most.
-Kenny and Mike
If we are unable to raise the full fund, we will send 25% to the American Red Cross and use the rest to build in order of priority, an ATST and then an electric ATV to tow it. Though, if we do meet our funding goal, our plan is to donate at least two cobination electric ATVs with ATSTs to an aid orgaization in the NY area ASAP.
In our last IndieGoGo fundraiser, we raised enough to build a solar electric ATV. It wasn't as large as we hoped (due to limited funds), but it proved that the electric ATV could work and be a lot of fun. Check it out here
Kenny using the all electric ApocalypsEV 1/2 to pull a solar powered boat