Arcimoto, the real thing? ($12k tandem EV trike, 70/130 mi. range)

[freebeard]

Can we agree to not have the Elio infect this thread?

[Grant-53]

The issue of quality, liability, and safety is in the forefront of manufacturing, medicine, and almost every aspect our society. Engineers as a profession understand the principle of "do no harm". We also are familiar with the quote, "It is impossible to make something foolproof because fools are so ingenious." GM was just fined 900 million for not doing what they should have done once they discovered a lack of quality in the ignition switches. In North America engineers don't always have the final say over the "bean counters" and we have an overabundance of lawyers known as ambulance chasers.
Quality and safety are best achieved when there is good communication between consumer and producer. In many ways the safety discussion concerning motorcycles is much the same as what took place with cars in the 1960's. May all your family be wise and safe.

[sendler]

One issue I see with any three wheeler is during snowy weather, dragging the rear wheel through the snow ridge that is left in between the two tracks that are clear. The main reason these vehicles choose three wheels is to make it a motorcycle so they don't have to comply with crash testing. Which would hurt performance and make it cost $20,000. We already have the MiEV that nobody wants. It would be more useful year around in the snowy states if it had four wheels. But the regulators would have to allow a new class of light four wheeled vehicle that doesn't have to be a rolling tank. Having three wheels is what finally killed the Aptera in the end.

[Christopher Jordan]

I am very pleased of another surprising 3-wheeler. Especially west coast based! Not even Chinese 3-wheelers are very popular around here after that Zap lawsuit in 2002.

[NeilBlanchard]

An article on the Arcimoto SRK:

The Key to Cheap Electric Cars? Ditch the Steering Wheel | WIRED

[Grant-53]

Limited use vehicles here are allowed up to 35 mph in NYS. ATVs can be registered for highway use. This would be consistent with off road speeds I suspect. Some roll over protection and lap belts will make a big difference in safety of any vehicle. In snow we do well to copy the snowmobile with rear drive.

[Christopher Jordan]

We had 1 Elf here but that 35 mph may be why it had a [for sale] sign and vanished. Between Zap and Triac woes in this area this Arcimoto looks very promising having decent speed.

[Grant-53]

A typical car weighs 3500 lb and much of that is steel uni-body and drive train. The costs of safety are chiefly in design and testing. An open wheeled race car may weigh half that with the tub of carbon fiber being very light and stiff. Before carbon fiber race cars used aluminum honeycomb panels in cut and fold methods for tubs. Aluminum is now readily available at reasonable cost and there are excellent directions on making cars and aircraft. The aerodynamic shapes are conducive to longer crush zones. If one does their homework one can build a great vehicle for $10K plus labor be it 3 or 4 wheels. Most states allow for registry of home built vehicles using Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard approved components. Having worked in the commuter rail car industry there are specifications that need to be met but a little patience and research go along way. Find out who needs what kind of vehicle, build a few, test them, and then figure a business plan to sell them.

[Hersbird]

Instead of starting from scratch to build a car, I would start with something that is already registered and licensed then modify it beyond recognition. Then again we don't have any kind of annual or bi-annual inspections here.

There are some super modified jeeps out there with nothing left of the original jeep! Maybe the 7 slot grill, that I guess makes it a Jeep.

[freebeard]

If one does their homework one can build a great vehicle for $10K plus labor be it 3 or 4 wheels.

You left out the part about the large, well-equipped shop.