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

[freebeard]

I'd only thought about that for 30 seconds when I posted it. It would be a booster, not used at low speeds. Versus a Vespa motor scooter with the front forks replaced with a trailer hitch.

The X-3 in a 2-wheel drive configuration (with a bigger battery box) would be very close to the Arcimoto monocoque box frame without the handlbar steering and roll cage.

[freebeard]

So the Ecomodder posse assembled for the Open House. I tried to recharge my camera the night before and it died, so no pictures from me.

What did we learn?

• Names of the Head of R&D and of Production.
• It's not a roll cage it's an [airquote]upper frame]/airquote]. In anticipation of when somebody rolls one and lawyers up.
• The battery-box/backbone is steel now instead of aluminum.
• Half-doors are because if it looks like a door, people expect a door.
• Drag was measured at something like 0.68Cd, but the half-doors brought it down to 0.30. Boat tailing made little difference.

They're having more success with doors, than with a trailer hitch. Prolly because of demand.

I suggested to Mark F. the trick double folding rear seat with an inflatable 8ft long carrot-shape that I could slide in through the back and strap to the back of the driver seat. It would provide a boat tail and reduce buffeting for the driver, or fold up into the pouch on the back of the seat. He seemed to like the idea.

[harriska2]

It was great to meet Freebeard and Red.

[Xist]

I would think that if boat-tailing does not work, boat tailing is not done correctly.

[freebeard]

I didn't see their work but boat tailing the 'upper frame' wouldn't do much compared to enclosing and boat tailing the rear wheel.

Apparently the nine foot overall length is a hard limit, to preserve the 'Rock Star parking', 45° parking in an eight foot space.

They said it was a three foot boat tail, I calculate with the taper in the 'upper frame' two feet would be adequate. I'd add a foot to the front for a dive plane, twelve feet overall is the same as a VW Beetle.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by harriska2

It was great to meet Freebeard and Red.

It was a pleasure meeting the both of you too. Thanks for helping us to organize and meet.

[freebeard]

What did you learn?

On the tour Joe talked about production numbers, but the only part I remember is "eventually four a day".

[redpoint5]

He said the upper limit for production from that facility could be as high as 10k/yr.

The steering was heavy on the test drive, and John mentioned that other models aren't so heavy. Still, it would be difficult for some people to wrestle control at low speeds.

[harriska2]

I don’t know if they added power steering at low/no speeds but they talked about it. Parallel parking would be a bear without it.

[NeilBlanchard]

10,000 / year would be about 27-28 per day, or more if they are closed for holidays.

They can add some steering power with better geometry, but an electric assist on the steering rack would be relatively easy to do.