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• Sol Motors electric city rocket
• 4 kW moped class, 6 kW A1 class
• 55 kilos, 150 Nm max. Torque
• INTERMOT and crowdfunding campaign
• Data: Sol Motors Pocket Rocket Prototype
• Interview with Manuel Messmer from Sol Motors

Sol Motors

17th photos

Sol Motors

1/17
The Pocket Rocket is currently cruising around Baden-Wurttemberg as a prototype.

Stuber

2/17
motorradonline.de stopped by Sol Motors and drove the electric rocket.

Stuber

3/17
55 kilos including battery and either 4 kW or 6 kW power – that’s an announcement!

Stuber

4/17
Manuel Messmer is responsible for the design. He is a product designer and will also be on display at INTERMOT with the Pocket Rocket.

Stuber

5/17

Sol Motors

6/17
The battery is located in the upper aluminum tube.

Sol Motors

7/17
The wreath over the LED comes from the 3D printer. On the production vehicle, the rear light should open so that the battery can be removed.

Sol Motors

8/17
The prototype is a single-seater, but later a two-seater version should also be possible.

Stuber

9/17
The city rocket is nice and narrow – snaking between cars is as easy as riding a bike.

Stuber

10/17
The 6 kW city rocket is priced at 6,500 euros, the 50 class (up to 4 kW) is priced at 5,200 euros.

Sol Motors

11/17
But first the developers have to get seed capital for the first 100 pieces by means of a crowdfunding campaign.

Sol Motors

12/17
The 4 kW version can be driven with the class AM driving license, which everyone who has a car driver’s license automatically has.

Sol Motors

13/17
For the version with 6 kW, the A1 is required, i.e. the driver’s license for the 125 class.

Sol Motors

14/17
Sol Motors was a guest at Glemseck 101 with the prototype painted in matt black.

Sol Motors

15/17
The chic e-rocket caused quite a sensation with the audience.

Sol Motors

16/17
The indicators are integrated on the handlebar ends. At the moment, the buttons for the right turn signal and high beam are still on the right side of the handlebar.

Sol Motors

17/17
For the series vehicle, the buttons will move to the right. That’s a good thing, because operating the indicator with the throttle hand is not ideal.

Pocket Rocket at INTERMOT

Sol Motors electric city rocket

The Pocket Rocket is available for the 50 class with 4 kW and as a 6 kW light motorcycle. It won all the design prizes – we tested whether it was convincing in practice on a trip with the near-series prototype in downtown Stuttgart.

S.he is a lot bigger than the photos suggest. And more convenient. The upper aluminum tube is only equipped with a purist-looking seat cushion, which does its job well. The first 100 pieces should roll up as a single-seater, but the components are chosen in such a way that approval as a two-seater should also be possible without further ado. According to the developer, the range is 60 to 80 kilometers, depending on the driving mode. If you brake, you return energy, i.e. recuperate.

Order Sol Pocket Rocket via crowdfunding

4 kW moped class, 6 kW A1 class

The driver can set via smartphone whether he is driving in eco mode (2 kW), with 3, 4 or – in the light-powered version – with 6 kW. The driver’s license, which includes class AM, is sufficient up to 4 kW, then the Pocket Rocket is limited to 45 km / h. In addition, the Pocket Rocket falls into the 125 class, so the driver needs at least an A1 driver’s license and can then drive the maximum speed of 80 km / h. The 6 kW city rocket is priced at 6,500 euros, the 50 class (up to 4 kW) is priced at 5,200 euros. Anything but cheap. For comparison: a Unu e-scooter with 3 kW of power costs just under 3,000 euros and provides a range of 50 kilometers. But it is also 17 kilos heavier and, like many electric two-wheelers on the market, looks just like a scooter. Another not insignificant cost factor: Sol Motors does not produce in China but in Germany.

“No electric two-wheeler on the market appealed to me visually. That’s why I designed my own, ”says Manuel Messmer, product designer and creator of Pocket Rocket. He drove a lot of motorcycles himself, but the classic combustion concept no longer belongs to him in city traffic. “But even if everyone drives a Tesla, we still have traffic jams in the city.” A new vehicle concept was needed. One that takes advantage of the design freedom of the new technology. “We didn’t want to just place the battery where the combustion engine would normally be. That’s why the big V in the frame has remained empty. “

55 kilos, 150 Nm max. Torque

The battery sits in the upper tube. The series vehicle will have an ignition lock in the front area of ​​the tube. If the key is turned over, the rear light should fold to the side so that the battery can be removed if necessary and protected against theft. Incidentally, it can be charged at a standard household socket. Speaking of the rear light: this is another eye-catcher in addition to the eye-catching frame construction. When the pilot starts up the rocket, the LEDs flash gradually until the ring of light glows completely red (see video above).

The rocket is now ready to go. Not quite the author yet. The footrests are rigid? “Yes, the production vehicle will have retractable notches.” And a small speedometer. The TÜV only accepts smartphones as the only instrument if the manufacturer, e.g. Apple, gives a failure guarantee. Of course that is not the case.

We roll from the yard. The throttle grip has a little play, but we leave everyone at the traffic light with the rocket. Nice side effect: pedestrians stop and look after us, cyclists nod in appreciation, motorists frown questioningly. As long as they are still thinking about what narrow vehicle has jostled into the front row here, we are already whizzing around the next corner! It works really well and is great fun. No wonder, with 150 Nm maximum torque. Especially because the Pocket Rocket is so light: 55 kilograms with battery! The tires convey a good roadholding, the seating position is comfortable, the chassis is absolutely suitable for manhole covers and other uneven road surfaces in the city. The brakes decelerate reasonably, but are replaced by higher quality components from well-known manufacturers. So do the batteries.

INTERMOT and crowdfunding campaign

The Pocket Rocket will also come with two rear-view mirrors in series. For this, the two indicator switches are combined. The symmetrical distribution of the buttons looks more attractive – one on each side for the indicator plus horn on the left and high beam on the right. But pressing buttons with the throttle does not feel optimal.

Circling the city rocket through the motorcade, however, is as easy as riding a bike. It’s nice and narrow, super agile and the power is easy to measure. In addition, the matt black paintwork looks really chic. And whoever is pulled at the traffic light (everyone!), Gets a comforting look at the beautiful rear part of the Pocket Rocket.

The crowdfunding campaign is running. Anyone who pays 500 euros is put on the waiting list for the first edition of 100 copies.

Data: Sol Motors Pocket Rocket Prototype

• Output: 4 or 6 kW – can be throttled via smartphone
• Range: 60 – 80 km
• Charging time: 90 minutes
• Max. Torque: 150 Nm
• Max. Speed: 80 km / h
• Weight with battery: 55 kg
• Dimensions: 172 x 73 x 118 cm
• Seat height: 82 centimeters
• Driving license class: AM for up to 4 kW; A1 for 6 kW
• Price: 4,500 euros for the 4 kW version, 5,650 euros for the 6 kW version

Interview with Manuel Messmer from Sol Motors

Sol Motors is mainly Manuel Messmer, a product designer. He’s been working on the Pocket Rocket concept for five years.

In which category do you put the Pocket Rocket?

It’s actually a noped. Because of no peds, so no pedals. Up to 4 kW it belongs to the class of mopeds, but they are characterized by the fact that they have pedals for kicking and braking.

And while we’re on terminology, what does the “Sol” in the company name stand for?

For speed of light. Most people associate it with the sun, and it’s not that different either.

How do you finance the project?

By working on other projects that make money (laughs). There was also a 50 percent share financing from the state of Baden-Wurttemberg. That was a one-off 12,500 euros.

You build and develop alone?

I do and think of a lot myself, but I can’t do it all by myself. A friend of mine is a locksmith who implemented the aluminum frame. Two former Porsche engineers who started their own business are responsible for the engine management. The cover for the rear light comes from the 3-D printer. In general, however, we would like to work with many existing components, such as the battery, the braking system, the suspension and the levers.

You were with the Pocket Rocket at Glemseck 101 and since also at INTERMOT. How did that happen?

Here in our collective (editor’s note: a back building with studios, communal offices, workshops and a shop) there is often a togetherness. For example, we went to Glemseck 101 with Ciao Ragazzi (editor’s note: the clothing store on the ground floor), they had a stand there. There we had a conversation with Ingo Riedeberger, the director of Koelnmesse. He invited us to INTERMOT in Cologne, which of course makes us extremely happy!

Your crowdfunding campaign will start on September 25th. Which goal are you aiming for??

It would be great if we could get 100 copies of the production financed. Things will get serious in spring 2019 when we want to deliver the first vehicles.

How far are you with the development of the prototype?

We currently have three prototypes in different stages of development. The one you drove is the most advanced. He now has over 10,000 kilometers on it. We’re down to the last ten percent, now it’s all about details. However, this is the most complex phase. For example, we still want to accommodate the wiring harness in the handlebar tube, but that’s no small thing.

German Design Award, European Product Design Award, Focus Open – you’ve already won some pretty good prizes with the Pocket Rocket this year. Makes you proud?

Sure, a little. We sometimes compete against projects from Mercedes, VW, etc. I’m glad that you have a chance to survive.

The Pocket Rocket is primarily designed for riders who want electric, but are not really into e-bikes or scooters?

The Pocket Rocket is for everyone who finds it appealing and enjoys the electric "Dash-through-the-city" Has. However, it will also be fully networkable via a SIM card and therefore also suitable as a fleet vehicle.

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