ENGS 89/90 Reports

Year of Graduation

2025

Project Advisor

Rafe Steinhauer

Instructor

Solomon Diamond

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

The Mahjouba Initiative, led by artist Eric van Hove, merges Moroccan craftsmanship with modern engineering to develop locally sourced, sustainably produced e-bikes for rural communities. A team from Dartmouth College’s ENGS 90 conducted a feasibility analysis of a scalable, affordable e-bike charging station for deployment in Tissint, Tata, Morocco, where transportation infrastructure limitations hinder economic development. This analysis supports a battery-swapping pilot as a crucial step in advancing the Mahjouba Initiative’s mission to develop domestically powered transportation. The proposed charging station includes on-grid and off-grid (solar-powered) options, ensuring flexible deployment based on available energy infrastructure. Key design considerations include charging efficacy, user accessibility, and implementation viability. A techno-economic analysis compares internal combustion engine bikes with electric bikes, evaluating fuel savings, lifecycle costs, and financial feasibility for both for-profit and non-profit models. Safety measures include manual and automatic error management, battery verification, and technician protocols. The team developed electrical and mechanical blueprints prioritizing replicability for local stakeholders. Additionally, policy and economic feasibility studies assessed scalability and regulatory challenges. Future research directions include thermal regulation for safe charging, tracking policy changes that may permit solar stations to sell excess energy, and improving system automation and safety. This project initiates the development of a viable, scalable pilot model, enabling the Mahjouba Initiative to expand e-bike adoption in Morocco’s rural regions, ultimately fostering sustainable mobility.

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