At Beryl, we’ve recently pioneered a solar-powered pilot in Cornwall that could redefine how shared e-bikes are powered, helping riders make more everyday journeys that benefit the planet.

The challenge 

Delivering e-bike share schemes across geographically expansive regions comes with financial and logistical challenges.

On-street teams must cover larger distances with fewer resources. This often means increased operational efforts to keep bikes charged and available.

Working in partnership with Cornwall Council, we wanted to find a sustainable solution. 

A UK-first solar pilot

As part of the UK Government’s Transport Decarbonisation Demonstrators programme, funded by the Department for Transport and delivered by Innovate UK, parts of the Beryl team set out to develop an exciting new model for e-bike charging. 

The project aimed to introduce six solar-powered charging hubs across Cornwall that provided the following: 
 

• Use solar panels to generate renewable energy 
• Enable e-bike battery charging without grid electricity
• Be strategically located based on local demand

Benefits for riders

Each solar hub aimed to eliminate around 10 battery swap jobs per town per day, reducing the need for vehicle trips and freeing up on-street teams to focus on maintenance and bike quality. Resulting in:
 

• Up to 15% more e-bikes available each day
• Improved distribution, making bikes easier to find
• Enhanced maintenance for smoother journeys
   

Our latest rider research shows that 54% of users cite lack of availability as the biggest barrier to riding more often. By improving availability, we make it easier for more people to choose sustainable transport.

Supporting Cornwall’s climate goals

Reducing battery swap journeys doesn’t just improve efficiency; it also helps lower emissions and operational costs. Cornwall Council has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and is actively investing in infrastructure that supports sustainable travel.

With road transport responsible for more than a quarter of the region’s greenhouse gas emissions, encouraging alternatives to car use is a key priority. This is especially relevant given that:
 

• Around a quarter of car journeys in Cornwall are under three miles
• In some towns, that figure rises to nearly half
   

E-bike share schemes provide a practical, low-carbon alternative for these short trips, and improving their availability and reliability strengthens their popularity.

Looking ahead

This project is a small but important step (or should we say pedal?) towards a more low-carbon transport network, one where renewable energy plays a direct role in powering everyday journeys. That means:
 

• Fewer car journeys
• Reduced congestion and emissions
• Improved air quality
• Increased physical activity and wellbeing
   

Plus, the project could act as a blueprint for scaling e-bike share schemes across the UK, which would see the benefits roll out to even more riders and cities.

If you’ve got any questions about this project, or if you’ve visited our solar hub in Cornwall, we’d love to hear what you thought of the experience. Drop us an email at marketing@beryl.cc, we’d really like to hear from you!