At first sight it resembles an ancient horse-drawn carriage, in reality Elettra is the first electric carriage entirely “Made in Alghero” , ready to replace horse-drawn vehicles. The invention and the patent bear the signature of Stefano Carboni , a lawyer from Alghero who has assembled four new electric models capable of traveling, freeing animals from any effort.
The talent he inherited from his grandfather Orazio, the famous and historic Sardinian coach builder, as well as the inventor who patented the first electric barrel. A surprise for the history of technology, the "highlight" of the exhibition at ExpoMove , the event on electric and sustainable mobility that closes today in the Fortezza Da Basso exhibition center in Florence.
"The initiative was successful because it is an alternative mobility that guarantees the well-being of the animal " underlines Stefano Carboni, a convinced animal rights activist. «The vehicle is not pulled by the horse but follows it, leaving it free to walk in front, freeing it from any fatigue according to an innovative system that allows the movement of the vehicle with or without an animal».
The electric barrel, a perfect reproduction of the ancient carriages complete with wheels and accessories in the style of the 19th century, with one charge can travel up to 30 kilometers, with a gradient of 30 percent and recharge in six hours. On board it can also carry 18 people , a safe journey, uphill as well as downhill, thanks to the autonomous electro-mechanical steering, the motors positioned on the rear axle, an electronic differential, the control unit and the computerized system.
Patented since 2008 and mainly used in Alghero for tourist services, it is also preparing to travel to other Italian regions. "We have just closed a contract for the purchase of our vehicles with the Asl-Animal Prevention and Welfare Service of Foggia (Puglia), for the project of the" Gargano in Carrozza "park" explains Carboni "for schools and social inclusion in disability support. An attestation on animal welfare that we were strongly looking for ». An answer arrived from Alghero, with the purchase of a first electric barrel to involve students and children with disabilities, but also guests of retirement homes. "Our goal - he concludes - is to obtain approval from Aci to be able to use the vehicle without a horse in the context of public roads".