Cool looking light EV kit vehicle: BugE
 

http://www.bugev.net/

http://www.bugev.net/images/BugE_bugvew.jpg

Sold as a kit. $3k-$4k US according to the site (it mentioned both prices in 2 different locations).

- 48v
- 2hp cont/10hp peak motor
- 385 lbs
- Est Watt/hours per mile: 50
- Max range: 40 mi - Max speed: 50 mph

http://www.blueskydsn.com/images/r34.jpg

There's a short Quicktime movie on the site.

http://www.blueskydsn.com/images/buge8k.jpg

This thing has been getting a lot of good buzz. It's on ABG and was discussed favourably on the EVDL this week.

Sort of a "lite" version of the Corbin Sparrow / Myers Motors NMG.

By being a motorcycle in the eyes of the law, it avoids the NEV speed restrictions.

Comments from the builder, posted on the EVDL:

Call of the BugE
MARK MURPHY RESURRECTS THE ELECTRIC CAR

http://www.eugeneweekly.com/2007/03/...erstory.html#1

Detailed article in the Eugene (OR) Weekly

Also, couple of new videos posted on YouTube:

http://www.blueskydsn.com/BugE_First_Movie.html

This is funny:

http://video.google.com/ThumbnailSer...C0bYliZJ3snwMg

I'm just wondering what happens when you crash. Is there a safety harness or something? It's nice though, It could have a better top speed with some more volts so higher cruising speed can be achieved, like on a multi-lane highway and if the motor is bigger you don't have to pound the crap out of the motor to go on highway. It looks to be an excellent city commuter though *thumbs up*

So can this qualify as a NEV - even though it can go faster than 25mph?

Doh! I just read the second post :D Sorry :p

Same thing that happens when you crash a motorcycle or scooter, only in this case you go through a thin acrylic canopy and some fiberglass before you hit the other vehicle/tree/road. :)

Legally it's a motorcycle.

That was the builder's intention. It wasn't supposed to be a highway machine. (Besides, it's built on essentially moped wheels & tires - you want to drive that at highway speeds?)

I like the quote I've read him use several times: "it's somewhere between a bicycle and a Buick".

The price is right to. :turtle:

I've taken my bike on 1 1/4" tires up to 45 mph before, :)

Wow, imagine if you had efficient sized tires for that speed ;)

No pucker factor there, I bet!

I once took my dad's mid 70's Schwinn 10-speed with those skinny tires up to 55+(had the optional speedo) going down a big hill not too far from home once.:eek:

Just read this off the EVDL:

The auction isn't live yet. (the message came in at 1AM, so I wasn't sure which "tomorrow" he was referring to...)

Look at this link for the Lithium BugE.

Lithium BugE

For $12000 (I think that is canadian) he built a vehicle that can go 80MPH and a range of 125 miles. Key points:

1) Lithium Ion Iron Phosphate batteries which can last 2000 to 3000 cycles (used everyday about five years).
2) a very complicated charging system, which takes 9 hours to charge the battery bank.
3) registered as a motorcycle for on road use in Canada.
4) needs a better suspension system design.

The Volta electric motorcycles which can only go 50MPH and have a shorter range of 75 miles for $8000 to $14000 seem like a better investment.

I think I had those wheels on a bmx bike back in the early 80's. Well actually, mine were yellow but oh how I wanted black mag wheels. lol :D


EDIT: sorry for resurrecting this post. Found it in a search, didn't realize it was quite so old.
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Seems the same angle as my City-EL with the canopy up. I had my brakes serviced yesterday and left the canopy open. Bad mistake. Pulled on the jack and fell off the jack stand. Very unsafe position, and when it dropped it almost tipped over. Not good! I hope Blue Sky makes the canopy lower. No big deal; just my personal taste.

Noticing Myers mentioned, has any discussion about their "tandem" trike -
Myers Motors | Buy your NmG Now
happened? That is another 3-wheel motorcycle I hope makes it!