With climate change repercussions looming, it’s fair to say that everyone should feel a certain responsibility to incorporate some form of sustainable living practices into their day to day lives. While choosing eco-friendly products can sometimes mean paying a higher cost, Austrian design studio EOOS has tried to prove that that’s not always the case with the ZUV electric tricycle.

Designed by EOOS’ social design division EOOS NEXT, the zero-emissions utility vehicle is made of 70 kg of plastic packaging collected from local supermarkets and is 3D-printed with help from The New Raw. The electric tricycle weighs less than 100 kg in total, but it can carry 200 kg of payload. The passenger seat at the back is good for two adults, and the area at the front can be used for carrying luggage or two extra young passengers.

The ZUV is equipped with a rear-wheel hub motor so doesn’t need any pedals to travel at speeds of up to 25 km/h, while the battery offers 50 km of range for each charge. Rotterdam-based The New Raw used industrial robots to 3D-print the plastic chassis, but it could also be printed locally to reduce transportation and cost of production. Other parts such as the electric motor, wheels, handlebar, and brakes can be purchased at most bicycle or motorcycle shops. If the owner would like a new electric tricycle, the chassis of the old one can be shredded and reprinted into a new shape, further contributing to minimising plastic waste.