Zen Electric Bikes: Pioneering Sustainable Transportation at Mount Saint Vincent University

Zen Electric Bikes has successfully launched a unique e-bike sharing program at Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU). Designed to support MSVU’s sustainability goals, the project delivered 15 e-bikes and a solar-powered battery station, giving students an affordable, eco-friendly alternative for campus commuting while actively reducing the university's carbon footprint.

The program builds on existing bike-share models, where members of the share service pay a small fee in order to access the bikes for a set amount of time. Zen and MSVU have enhanced this model by designing it to produce net-zero carbon emissions: the bikes are stored and charged in a converted shipping container which is powered by solar panels.

“Being able to charge all the bikes from solar creates a proof-of-concept platform for students to learn about net-zero,” said Ravi Kempaiah, CEO of Zen Energy.

Grant award: $50,000

In addition to providing a clean transportation option, the program improves affordability and mobility options that will benefit all students. “We wanted this to be a kind of demonstration piece to reduce congestion, improve air quality, and give accessibility to a lot of students without a huge investment,” continued Kempaiah. Zen will be providing training and guidance to students and faculty who wish to use the bikes on how to operate the batteries and e-bikes.

The journey to completion wasn’t without obstacles. Zen’s team tackled delays due to site preparation, sourcing compliant solar and battery components, and navigating data privacy for e-bike tracking systems. Despite these challenges, the team successfully launched the e-bike share in August 2024, and data collection on the project’s impact is now underway, continuing through Summer 2025.

Zen’s project with MSVU has generated interest from other universities, and the team plans to validate this clean transportation model with detailed data, creating a replicable framework for campuses across Canada. They are also looking at to wider community applications, including senior communities, rural areas, and low-income neighborhoods, providing affordable, green transportation solutions in diverse settings.

The partnership with MSVU exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to clean transportation. Through this project, Zen is not only delivering a practical sustainability solution but also creating an educational platform that gives students hands-on experience in net-zero innovation. As the project evolves, it will continue to shape the future of sustainable campus communities and inspire wider adoption of eco-friendly transit solutions across Canada.