Article Image

IPFS News Link • Transportation

3-wheeled EV commuter equals 230 MPGe, blends torque & safety

• https://www.youtube.com, Kirsten Dirksen

When founder Mark Frohnmayer first sketched his idea in 2007 for a 3-wheeled EV he was searching for an alternative to the car for all those quick trips to the store/mall/coffee shop, but he wanted something that would be fun to drive. 

His FUV (fun utility vehicle) provides an open-air experience with a semi-enclosed cabin, tandem seating, power-assist handlebars, and regenerative braking. 

Two front-mounted motors powered by a 20-kWh battery send it from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5-seconds. Arcimoto says the FUV battery range is 100 miles around town, about 66 miles at 55 mph. Its peak charge rate on a Level 2 charger is about 3.3 kW. It will fully charge in 4 hours on a Level 2 charger and 8 hours with a household 120-volt outlet.

Frohnmayer's concept is bigger than just the FUV and instead is focused on the chassis that holds the batteries and can be configured to provide alternatives to many of our gas-powered vehicles, from a single-seat "Deliverator" for last-mile deliveries to a tandem "Rapid Responder" for emergency services to a flatbed for hauling and a "Roadster" (without the roll cage or windshield) for sport.

 

midfest.info