The Dagne EV - Smart, quick, and reasonably priced - The Dagne is actually a hybrid
Next up is the Dagne EV from Revolution Motors. To begin with, the philosophy of the company is progressive and practical. The Dagne EV is a fine example of 3-wheel efficient modern electric transport.
The Dagne boasts a 100 mile electric range before switching to hybrid mode. The 3-wheeler is then good for some 600 miles. Top speed of 120 mph, 0-60 mph in 5 seconds while returning 150 mpg are impressive. Equally impressive is the Under $25K price tag. Who said American innovation left the building?
The three wheel electric car is commonly seen as the Zap Xebra. These little cars are very popular in China, where they are manufactured in a variety of configurations from passenger cars to trucks with tilting beds. Originally they
were gasoline powered vehicles.
Three wheel electric cars are marked in the west by the Zap Company. Zap
sells the famous Zap Xebra line. These are slow speed NEV rigs.
The top speed of the Xebra is about 25-35 mph (40-55 kph), with a 25-30 mile range. They have a small 4.8 kWh battery pack and weigh in at around 1,900 lbs or 864 kg. The Xebra comes in a car and truck version.
Zap seems to like the three wheel concept and has announced a prototype called the Zap Alias. The Alias is way beyond an NEV. It has impressive stats: Powered by two 120 kW motors (322 hp) are claimed to push the Alias to a top speed of 155 mph - 250 kph, with a range of 100 miles or 160 km. This EV only weighs 1,600 lbs or 727kg, at an estimated price of $35,000 US.
The Aptera 2e was also a highly efficient three wheel electric car. There was a hybrid powered version of this car as well called the 2h. Aptera went bankrupt.
Price was estimated at from $25,000 - $40,000 US. Apparently this was too little to sustain production of the car. The company was out of business as of December, 2011.
However, the Aptera may be back as the Zaptera. The old company has been busy and recently hooked with the Chinese maunfacturer Zhejang Jonway Group for production. Final assembly is to be in the USA. We wait!
Another three wheel electric car is actually a kit car called the BugE. The BugE
isn't really a car, in fact it seats just one, and is licensed as a motorcycle in places. This rig is sort of a fast, lightweight version of the Zap cars.
However, the BugE is unique. The manufacturer provides a rolling chassis and body, minus lighting and the power package.
BugE recommends using EV Parts as a power supplier. So, the specs sort of depend on where you get your power.
The manufactures suggests a 2.2 kW (3 hp) motor will move the rig to 50 mph
(80 kph) with a top range of 30 miles ( 50 km) at 30 mph (50 kph). The total kit weight is only 400 lbs and it is also efficient at 50 Watt hours per mile.
The total price for this efficient three wheel kit is about $5,500 US before shipping. Retail price for the completed kit is about $9,300 US.
One other USA 3-wheeler: The Arcimoto Pulse. The Pulse has prototypes on the road, has sold a dozen or so units, and is planning for a 15 car production run for fleet testing. The car retails for around $18,000 and has a set of solid specifications.
Honda has just announced a futuristic looking 3-wheeler called the 3-RC.
It seems a bit over the top, but you can see it here.
