Today's crazy idea: electric velomobile (of sorts)
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Yes, here's BaconSandwich, with another crazy idea. I've been ruminating on this one for a while.
A velomobile is a human powered vehicle - often three wheeled. Two wheels in the front and one in the back is called a tadpole configuration. The average human can put out something like the equivalent of 750 watts of power when cycling. But with some decent aerodynamics, this means some surprisingly high speeds.
But rather than using pedals, what if a person used an in-hub electric motor on the rear, instead? Take a good looking velomobile, and scale it up by 200% or so. Make a tube steel chassis, and stuff the base full of batteries (maybe old Nissan Leaf cells - they seem cheap). Use the electric motor from a Zero electric bike, or something around that size - maybe a little bigger.
Make it look something like this:
Although there's one problem with that - the front wheels. Some velomobiles have the front wheels totally enclosed. The problem with that is it gives little or no room for suspension travel, and limits the turning radius.
(Cool looking, but no suspension travel).Instead, rip the front wheels off the Aptera - in little pods, like this:
Because it only has three wheels, at least here in Alberta, you could probably get it registered as a motorcycle. That means you'd have to wear a helmet inside of it. But that's okay.
I just think it'd be awesome to make some kid's day by cruising up next to him in something like that. Give 'em a nod, then silently pull away when the light hits green. We're living in 2020, and it'd be awesome to bring a little more futuristic transportation into the world.
I'm seriously beginning to wonder how difficult it would be to pull this off.
Side note: thank you for putting up with my shenanigans. I've got just over a week left of my existing job, then I start a new one. I've been doing software development for the past ~6 years at the same place - Python + Django. I'm going to be working for a different place doing Ruby on Rails, so new language, framework, and I'll have to use a MacBook. It's got me seriously stressed, so it's nice to have a place to take a mental break. You're all great, and thanks for putting up with my random posts.
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@baconsandwich I've been thinking about velomobiles ever since I saw the Versatron Vector:
It's sleek and it's cool, but it's really impractical as a commuter vehicle.
You should know that there are a lot of people thinking about electrified velomobiles. https://www.resilience.org/stories/2012-10-25/electric-velomobiles-as-fast-and-comfortable-as-automobiles-but-80-times-more-efficient/#:~:text=The electric velomobile combines both,to 80 times more efficient.
You might be able to find something interesting over at recumbents.com. They have links to manufacturer's sites. Just go to the search page and filter for velomobiles.
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@bicyclebuck said in Today's crazy idea: electric velomobile (of sorts):
velomobile
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@phenotyp The lean machine is interesting, but I'd rather drive a MonoTracer or its electric counterpart, the e-Tracer.
Never discount the possibility that you might live through it.
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@phenotyp Not bad, but the wrong arrangement. I'd prefer two wheels on the front, and one on the back.
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@bicyclebuck I always thought the MonoTracer thing looked cool. I like the way it looks, but I also don't like the idea of falling over. I know it's got the little bogie wheels that flip down, but if a person could have two wheels on the front, you wouldn't have to worry about that. They are also crazy expensive.
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@baconsandwich The Tri-Magnum really caught my eye when I was a kid, but I don't think it's aged well. It was a kit built around a BMW K-1200 or a Gold Wing.
Never discount the possibility that you might live through it.
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I think by adding an electric motor, you're encroaching on government motor vehicle classification. Remember how much trouble Polaris had getting the Slingshot legal? Depending on the jurisdiction you'd need to get it plated, have proper lighting, and need a helmet and motorcycle license.
The person reading this is a doo-doo head
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@bicyclebuck That front end looks like it was stolen from a Bricklin. Not that that's a bad thing.
It does have a certain 70s vibe to it, and not in a bad way. Maybe someone could do a retro take on it?
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@essextee said in Today's crazy idea: electric velomobile (of sorts):
I think by adding an electric motor, you're encroaching on government motor vehicle classification. Remember how much trouble Polaris had getting the Slingshot legal? Depending on the jurisdiction you'd need to get it plated, have proper lighting, and need a helmet and motorcycle license.
Oh, totally. The idea here is to build something that is legally a motorcycle. I definitely wouldn't want to be driving such a contraption on a bike path. The legal limit here in Alberta is 500 watts. Anything more, and it's a motorcycle. By scaling it up 200% or so, it'd be roughly the size of a motorcycle, but lower down. It'd definitely need proper lighting - brake lights, headlights, indicator lights, a horn, etc.
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@baconsandwich said in Today's crazy idea: electric velomobile (of sorts):
@essextee said in Today's crazy idea: electric velomobile (of sorts):
I think by adding an electric motor, you're encroaching on government motor vehicle classification. Remember how much trouble Polaris had getting the Slingshot legal? Depending on the jurisdiction you'd need to get it plated, have proper lighting, and need a helmet and motorcycle license.
Oh, totally. The idea here is to build something that is legally a motorcycle. I definitely wouldn't want to be driving such a contraption on a bike path. The legal limit here in Alberta is 500 watts. Anything more, and it's a motorcycle. By scaling it up 200% or so, it'd be roughly the size of a motorcycle, but lower down. It'd definitely need proper lighting - brake lights, headlights, indicator lights, a horn, etc.
One of the ways Clever Cycles skirted the regulations with the StokeMonkey was to design it so the electric motor wouldn't kick in without someone pedaling. Now that the laws are catching up, they don't sell that product any more. You're right about the restrictions being an important part of the equation. Give it too much power and it falls under different regulations.
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@jb-boin Not too bad... but still not enclosed, and the aerodynamics could be better.
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@jb-boin This! All of the other solutions have great aerodynamics but poor visibility. A more upright solution would make more sense. But Smart tried as did Mitsubishi to produce upright super compact cars and failed. I really don't think there is a market for any of these commuter cars other than a 3 wheel scooter.
"Courage is often found at the other side of trying"
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@krustywantout
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@jb-boin The Citroen looks cool! Again, I can see European and Asian countries maybe being more open to these types of cars but I don't see these having any traction in the US.
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@jb-boin Closer... but still not quite the look I'm going for.
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@jb-boin I'd totally drive a Twizzy if they had them around here - and if it could manage 90 km/h. The city I live in is divided by a river valley, and all the bridges going across it are 90 km/h or above. I think when they did bring the Twizzy to Canada, they neutered it to some slower speed.
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Uh... They make that as the Solo next door here in BC (which the Chinese are about to rip off).
https://electrameccanica.com/solo/
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@baconsandwich with a tune they can go over 100kph.
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@exage03040 It still doesn't do it for me in the looks department.
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