NLM Northern Light Motors e-velos

[kiwinigma]

It won't let me link as I dont' have enough posts... Could an admin please link to dub dub dub dot northernlightmotors dot com?


Not out yet, no reviews, minimal technical details available.
Three trims, series hybrid, good-looking aero.
Claimed top speed 50mph with a 1kw motor with the unrestricted "off road" ECU.
Claimed range 100 miles with 20Ah 48V battery (while pedalling at low speed, presumably)
Weight 50-55kg

It's a good looking thing for sure. Are the speed/range claims realistic for a streamliner like this? How will regular bike wheels go with this weight & speed?

[freebeard]

Northern Light Motors | The Future of E Bikes

Originally Posted by DuckDuckGo

Northern Light Motors is the future of personal transport. With zero emissions, supercar styling all at an affordable price. Our lightweight and aerodynamic vehicles require far less of the earth's resources to build. The Northern Light Motors range is 20 times for efficient than all mainstream electric vehicles.

"20 times for efficient"? Competes with Arcimoto's Platform 2.

[samwichse]

$3900 USD would make this pretty much the cheapest electric velomobile out there. Especially when you add suspension and hydraulic brakes and lighting.

Not sure how I feel about the series hybrid thing, but I guess it would eliminate that long, relatively noisy chain tadpoles always have to deal with. And any kind of shifting.

[freebeard]

The tail light in/as the rear bumper is a minimalist design.

[kiwinigma]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Competes with Arcimoto's Platform 2.

They are both three-wheeled, faired, electric vehicles but other than that completely different.

NLM are fully faired electric bicycles, trying to pass for that legally in different jurisdictions. Bicycle gear (wheels etc), recumbent streamliner speeds, bugger all storage, barely fit one, under 1kwh battery, a few thousand, not shipping or reviewed yet.

Arcimoto are partially-faired electric three-wheeled motorcycles. Motorcycle speeds, componentry, registration/licensing, carry 2 people and decent storage, 20kwh battery, 3-4x the price, shipping now.

Money no object, I'd probably take 1 NLM and 2 Arcimotos

[The Toecutter]

Originally Posted by kiwinigma

Are the speed/range claims realistic for a streamliner like this? How will regular bike wheels go with this weight & speed?

It's possible. I custom-built an electric velomobile off of a KMX framekit with a 46.8V/15.6AH battery. It gets a real-world range of 70-80 miles on one charge with cruising speeds of 30-35 mph with ~150W pedal input and the electric motor putting in the rest of the power needed. It can also top out at slightly over 45 mph when using the motor, but I can still sprint to 35 mph after turning the motor off.

Its aerodynamics also aren't very good. I have outboard/open wheels.

[freebeard]

kiwinigma -- Arcimoto have acquired a company called Tilting Motors that builds (and is shipping) leaning motorcycles. Their proposed Platform 2 is a 'micromobility solution'.

IIRC from their quarterly report the target price is $2000. Quoth DuckDuckGo:

Arcimoto Guide for Investors and Enthusiasts - Generation ...
https://generationeight.co
In early 2021, Arcimoto announced Platform 2 where if Platform 1 is a step down from the traditional vehicle in size, Platform 2 is a step down from Platform 1. This smaller form-factor design will be unveiled in 2021. 26. Platform 1: The Everyday Vehicle "We don't reinvent the wheel, we just use less of them." Mark Frohnmayer, CEO 27 ...

The only open question I have is whether Platform 2 will be human/electric hybrid or pure electric.

edit: I'd prefer human/electric for range anxiety and physical fitness. And that GenerationEight link is golden -- I'd never seen it before. There is a section for Tilting Motor Works.