A couple of entrepreneurs in Montreal are teaching people how to build their own solar-powered scooters by making the instructions freely available on the internet.

Many people are looking to alternative fuels but solar-powered vehicles are often too expensive.

"The total cost of the project was probably about $600,000," said Paul Glass, project manager for McGill University's solar car.

Driving a solar scooter in Montreal.

The Biomod company in Montreal said it can build the vehicles for much cheaper. By using surplus parts, a solar-powered scooter costs $1,600.

"It's got three off-the-shelf components that are inexpensive," said Jeff Dekzty of Biomod. "You could begin building one by just getting a small kit."

Because of the solar panels on top, the model has some stability issues that need to be ironed out, and the vehicle still needs brakes. But the concept is simple and the vehicle is easy to ride, according to a CBC reporter.

Will Scully of Biomod doesn't expect to sell a single unit. Rather, the plan is for people to build their own using blueprints he has made available for free on the internet. "This is an open-source project," said Scully.

One management expert said Scully would be better off promoting his product elsewhere.

"Places like Tokyo, Mexico City ... Bangkok," suggested Louis Giallioreto of the faculty of management at McGill. " I mean, there's a number of cities that are very densely populated, they have a lot of congestion, a lot of air quality issues."

Nonetheless, Scully and his team believe Montreal is the place to start. They've already driven the scooter 280 kilometres through the city.