We need ultra light four wheeled cars

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

I'm actually favorable to 3-wheel vehicles, but I agree it's kinda pointless to become somewhat obligated to follow this approach only in order to circumvent crash standards. That's even worse for the low-income families and small business owners, who could have better living standards if the cost of owning a motor vehicle out of necessity could be decreased with something more affordable to operate. Some cab-forward trucks and vans of Asian design have a similar loading capacity (loading, not towing) than a Silverado 2500 or an F-250, all that while they remain often easier to maneuver on tight corners than a Corolla for example.

[slowmover]

The problem is urban sprawl. The requirement for a car. It’s all highly profitable. Except to citizens.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by slowmover

The problem is urban sprawl. The requirement for a car.

The so-called requirement for a car doesn't imply it must be a gas-guzzling ego hauler, and eventually a motorcycle (or a motor tricycle which could feature a weatherproof enclosure) could serve just right. People willing to show-off in a fancy car or oversized truck are a part of the problem too.

[slowmover]

Details. Not relevant to the societal investment necessary for sprawl. It’s s like arguing paint color

[oil pan 4]

We needs a peoplescar.

[Lemmy]

Some kind of reverse trike lightweight eco car would do me very nicely. Here in Blighty the best we get is 1600kg ICE cars being replaced with 1600kg electric cars, which is solving very little.

I'm also a firm believer in not being a bone idle lazi git and refuse to use a car if I can walk or cycle the journey. Infinite MPG while the car is asleep in the garage is the finest form of fuel conservation.

[sendler]

I can't use a three wheeled car in the winter due to snow and slush in the center between the two tracks.

[Lemmy]

What about the majority of the year that has no snow on the ground?

[sendler]

Originally Posted by Lemmy

What about the majority of the year that has no snow on the ground?

I ride my modified Honda CBR250R with plug in electrically heated clothing at 106 mpgUS whenever there is no ice on the roads . 17,000 miles per year. Majority being 7 months unfortunately.
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-8F/ -22C last night.
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I need four wheels in the winter. But would still be willing to use my heated gear and stay off of the super highway as I do when I ride my PCX150, if someone would make an ultra simple enclosed tandem aero four wheeled ev. Arcimoto is close but no cigar.

[niky]

If the Mirage is already too little car for most Americans, how would you make ultra-light cars work?

We get a plethora of even smaller and more economical stuff here. But nobody wants them. They're being phased out because of crash safety. And they're too expensive to replace a bike, and not "status symbol-ly" enough to stand in for a "real" car. (Look at what happened to Nano sales in India...).

Only way to get people into smaller cars is to provide huge tax breaks for them and restrict the type specifications, like Japan does with the Kei cars.