As Sergej Novosel Vuckovic/Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 14th of August, 2020, the Zagreb company Viking deals with heating systems, primarily radiators, in the field of which it has gained numerous references, and its activities include plastic coating, locksmithing and digital printing, as well as 2 and 3D modelling. However, in addition to construction and production, director Robert Vlasic is making sure not to neglect the development and research aspect, most present through the Gy3o project.
This Zagreb company's partners are the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture (FSB) in Zagreb and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER). A few years ago, Gy3o received 2.1 million kuna from the EU Regional Development Fund (the company invested its own 1.1 million), a prototype was made, and this year, a further 2,405,805 kuna in non-refundable funds arrived.
Vlasic, satisfied with the funds provided, stated that this is only on paper because it is necessary to invest, ie co-finance the implementation to the full value of the project of 5,822,379.08 kuna, so that it can be successfully implemented. That is why, he noted, he is grateful for the media support that helps him to reach investors.
In the meantime, this Zagreb company's director isn't giving up and is bravely approaching the development of new projects continuing in the direction of electromobility. He also designed an electric tricycle. Unlike the Gy3o which would function as a personal vehicle for private use, Viking’s new R&D project is for urban, commercial purposes.
''There was a need for a cargo bike, ie, a tricycle that could overcome ascents around the city and in hilly areas. The electric motor tricycle is an ideal compromise when it comes to ecology,'' Vlasic explained when discussing how he initially came up with the idea. They have a prototype, test engines and batteries and the suspension with shock absorbers, steering and hydraulic brakes, the prototype can even be used to transport waste. He confirmed that they are working on the first major series of vehicles for Zagreb Holding, for the needs of Cistoca Zagreb. The purchase order is 30 vehicles.
“It’s perfect for transporting smaller loads around the city through crowds in a short amount of time. It can serve as a means of promotion or as a delivery vehicle. For example, as a rickshaw for tourism, a postal delivery vehicle, a vehicle for ice cream, popcorn and the like. Its speed is powered by a strong electric motor and the freedom of constant movement within 6 hours,'' added Vlasic. The special features of the Zagreb company's e-tricycle are that it is narrow, less than a metre in width, that it doesn't require any permits, and is not subject to a ban on entering the city centre as a delivery vehicle, nor is it banned in tourist centres during certain periods.
“Delivery with this vehicle can be done through all zones and at all times, because tricycles with an electric motor don't belong to the category of delivery vehicles that have bans placed on them. In addition, these vehicles can be adapted to the transport of europallets and cargo weighing up to 500 kilograms,'' explained Vlasic.
In light of the growing need for ecological and sustainable, "green" transport, as well as the need for safe hygienic standards, Vlasic pointed out that the e-tricycle-cleaner is "anticovid" and doesn't pollute the environment.
"There's room for the commercialisation of tricycles and cargo bicycles, especially with the new EU initiatives for ecological transport,'' concluded Robert Vlasic, the director of the Zagreb company Viking.
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