# Solar-Powered Ice Cream Trucks The MERM Minivan is an Eco-Friendly Roach Coach By Tinkalicious | Published 2008-12-12 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/merm-minivan-electric-meals-on-wheels References: [yankodesign](http://www.yankodesign.com/2008/12/10/merm-flea-market-on-wheels/) & [coroflot](http://www.coroflot.com/public/individual_profile.asp?individual_id=123128) Designer Eric Zhang has created an attractive take on the future of mobile vendors after seeing a need for a more efficient version of the [ice cream van](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alsies) and 'roach coach.' The MERM, or Modular Electronic Retail Minivan, powers itself via [integrated solar panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-solaris). The fully self-contained vehicle can go from [mobile to retail store](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/panasonic-well-cabin-offmo) in just three minutes. The design was acknowledged with a Red-dot Design award. **Implications** - Eco-conscious consumers don't only want to make their own lifestyles greener, but are eager to see their communities adopt green practices. Community services that are green promote environmental habits and are educational for younger generations. Companies can consider implementing environmental services in public settings to appeal to green consumers. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 41% | Activity: 61% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Eco-friendly Mobile Vendors:** Opportunity to create mobile vendors that are powered by renewable energy, such as solar panels, to cater to eco-conscious consumers. - **Modular Retail Spaces:** Potential to design vehicles that can transform from mobile to retail stores, offering convenience and flexibility for businesses. - **Green Community Services:** Opportunity for companies to provide environmentally-friendly services in public settings, promoting green practices and educating younger generations. ### Who This Affects Most - **Food Retail:** Disruptive innovation opportunity in the food retail industry by creating eco-friendly mobile vendors that offer sustainable food options. - **Solar Energy:** Opportunity to capitalize on solar energy technology in the design and development of self-powered vehicles for various industries, including retail. - **Education:** Potential for educational institutions and organizations to incorporate green community services as part of their programs to raise environmental awareness. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Solar-Powered Cargo Vans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-electric-van.md) - [Solar-Powered Refrigerated Shipping Trucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/birds-eye-shipping-trucks.md) - [Electric Street Food Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smartebike.md) - [On-Demand Mobile Ice Cream Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mobile-ice-cream-store.md) - [Friendly Business Delivery Trucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autonomous-delivery-truck.md) - [Disaster-Prepared Electric Vans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hw-electro.md) - [Battery-Powered Food Trucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecofriendly-food-truck-generators.md) - [Expanding Off-Grid Electric RVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-transformer-house.md) - [Off-Grid Exploration Vans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gac-van-life-autonomous-vehicle.md)