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

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by JSH

the whole purpose of a trike it so you can save money by not needing to meet car safety and emission standards

Even though some comfort improvements for year-round driving may be desirable to convince most folks to take a look into trikes as an option, mostly owners of older vehicles already non-compliant to modern safety and emission standards, sometimes it may become too expensive to justify.

[Xist]

Has anyone asked Archie about solar roofs?

[Snax]

New local article from Willamette Week on Arcimoto.

(I have purchased shares in the company. I figure win or lose, owning a piece of a local company with a this kind of leadership is worth the risk.)

[freebeard]

Yup.

edit:

He lives with two roommates in a small bungalow strewn with Buddhist prayer flags in the unglamorous "flats" of Eugene with his dog Keira.

That's a really odd way for a writer for Willamette Week to describe The Whiteaker. Must be from the South Hills. I remember when Mark Murphy lived in the South Hills next to my landlord at the time. I visited the garage where he was making Bug-E kits for Electrathon racing.

About Anthony Effinger
Anthony Effinger is a freelance writer in Portland.

[Snax]

Transport Evolved short term test review.

It is interesting to me that highway range is relatively dismal compared to city driving. And to that end, dirty aerodynamics is likely a huge part of that problem. I think that without doors at a minimum, a lot is being left on the table. So that has me wondering how good it could really be.

I am betting that along with doors, fairings over the rear wheel and more extensive boat tailing could make the FUV far more efficient. Other smaller items of impact such as suspension turbulence and mirrors could probably be improved.

It all makes me really want to get one if for no other reason than to make it significantly better. I think with a 19kWh battery, it should be capable of at least 120 miles at highway speed with the right cleanup. Win or lose, it would be entertaining to try.

[redpoint5]

I think it would take major modification to get 6+ miles per kWh on the freeway, or simply drive 50 MPH.

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by Snax

It all makes me really want to get one if for no other reason than to make it significantly better.

Full front wheel pants. My conjecture is that a two foot boat tail is all that is required.

But I'd also like to see Indian motorcycle fenders with illuminated Indian heads and black leather saddlebags with chrome buttons and fringe. And a big Cyclopean headlight.

[Snax]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I think it would take major modification to get 6+ miles per kWh on the freeway, or simply drive 50 MPH.

I think in the context of comparing to other EVs of similar capacity however, there is still a lot of potential there. Consider that an early Leaf or i3 have only marginally larger packs, but roughly twice the frontal area. Both early variants are typically good for 60-80 miles on the highway. If the FUV is getting comparable range at speed, it's aero absolutely stinks!

I think there is a lot of improvement to be had.

[freebeard]

"[It's] got good bones"

The loft line -- the line over top center from the stagnation point to the separation line is ideal.

A bubble shape from the A-pillar to a boat tail and wheel pants, obviously. It has a 'full belly pan'. What's left is the front A-arm suspension. I'd start with an airfoil around the upper arm and a flat plate filling the lower arm. That leaves the axle shafts and steering link.

For those, How about a forward curved plate between the upper and lower arm, made of thick cowhide or conveyor belting?

[Snax]

Originally Posted by freebeard

For those, How about a forward curved plate between the upper and lower arm, made of thick cowhide or conveyor belting?

Struggling to understand what you mean here . .