Abstract
A reliable and sustainable means of human transportation is vital for the world’s increasing pollution emissions and congestions on the motorways. The research aimed at and focused on developing an affordable electric drive train for cycles using the principle of Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) to provide an interminable number of speed ratios by varying the pulley diameters. The planetary gears designed and installed within the CVT chamber provided a locking mechanism for the ring gear to provide forward transmission to the rear wheel where motion was stepped up through an open differential gear to propel the cycle forward. For stability and ease of manufacture and assembly, a tricycle concept was chosen and developed as a sustainable and alternative means of transportation. The developed electric drive train provides a ‘green’ and affordable means of human transportation in a world geared towards the elimination of pollution.