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

[ecoboy]

Originally Posted by 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.

That is really only the good way to own a jeep is to replace everything that is OEM. It seems like all the jeeps I see that belong to jeepcny.org have replace every suspension component with HD parts. The OEM stuff breaks all the time.

[Grant-53]

The part that the DMV looks at is the VIN on the cowl. The EPA wants to know if the engines passed the emissions standards when it was manufactured. A tractor engine would only have to meet standards for a tractor not a car. Buy good used tools and jack stands then find a bay in a garage. If you don't weld, take a class first. Read at least three or four good books and articles. I recommend Keith Noakes on composites and Carroll Smith on race car building. Design with a factor of safety between 3 and 4. Then get the best components you can afford especially grade 5 or higher fasteners and tires. Separate dissimilar metals to prevent corrosion. Plan the work and work the plan. Save the beer for after working.

[Christopher Jordan]

E - I - E - I uh ...
Arcimoto SRK 8 electric trike now on sale (Images, Video)

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by sendler

One issue I see with any three wheeler is during snowy weather

It was not a problem for the Reliant 3-wheel cars from England, though they had a conventional layout with the single wheel at the front. OK, they're not a reference in stability, but with a centrally-mounted cockpit like the Arcimoto they sure would fare better in that regard.

[NeilBlanchard]

Are they selling it in this open form?



Edit: to answer my own question - yes, the base model is open.

https://www.arcimoto.com/

The $11,900 base model has a 12kWh battery pack, with an estimated 70 mile range, and 0-60MPH in 7.5 seconds. There is an optional 20kWh pack that has an estimated range of 130 miles, and optional canvas side panels - that can be taken off, if you want to be out in the open.




There is also a delivery model:

[ME_Andy]

I like it but the Elio design is more practical. It actually has cup holders and a radio.

[freebeard]

Two things my current car doesn't have.

I need to get over onto that side of town. I checked Google Maps—they are right next to Tacovore. You guys deserve a report.

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by ME_Andy

I like it but the Elio design is more practical. It actually has cup holders and a radio.

My imaginary car has toilets built into the seats and can run 2 hours on #1 and 4 hours on #2. It has 12 cup holders and a special tray for beefy 5 layer burritos from Taco Bell.

[vskid3]

Originally Posted by ME_Andy

I like it but the Elio design is more practical. It actually has cup holders and a radio.

I'd say that the more practical one would be the one you can actually buy, so we'll see who wins in that regard. Hopefully one of these three-wheelers will see the light of day.

I wonder how the range compares with and without the side panels/door.

[NeilBlanchard]

I think that they would be using the range estimates for the open version, since that is the base default.

I am sure we could put cup holders and a radio in the Arcimoto SRK. We are EcoModders, after all!