'Ebay' 3-wheeler EV - looks v. interesting
 

Actually on Trademe, the NZ version of ebay:

https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...04662&key=2427

You could make an almost complete boat-tail for that, leaving room for a small generator and fuel and / or more batteries, while leaving solar panels on top of it!.

Buy it!

That looks neato!

landspeed -

Looks like a Zap car, or maybe what they import? :

(From LA Auto Show)
https://img83.imageshack.us/img83/5580/img1870xx8.th.jpg https://img223.imageshack.us/img223/1...1871uq0.th.jpg
https://img83.imageshack.us/img83/1010/img1872sb7.th.jpg

CarloSW2

I can't afford that on arrival in NZ - I'm going to buy a cheap 2.0 Bluebird (16v SR20DE/T engine) - which will be a lot more economical than my current car.

But I would be very interested in getting one of those - they are cheapish (as far as car prices go here, although I know that secondhand Priuses (Prii) go for more in the UK than new ones sell for in the US). I like the fact it would have all the electric motor / controllers etc sorted, meaning the only upgrades needed would be a diesel generator for the back, better batteries later, and solar panels (and significant weight reduction if possible)

Top speed 80km/h - 50mph. I'm sure this would be a lot better with aero mods + inflated tyres / LRR ones if available :D

I guess the idea would be to get something like this:

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3Kw-Diesel-Gen...QQcmdZViewItem

And permanently install it in the back. Make sure it can run on veggie oil, and
make a system to output 72V / whatever amps the motor needs, as well as charging the batteries. Then you could drive on batteries when you wanted, but use the generator when you have longer journeys, while also charging the batteries. The key would be making sure you get an efficient generator.

My only major gripe with the Zapcar is that a person could build their own EV that would far outperform it for the same money. People are really only paying for the engineering at that price. Similar performance could be built for less than half.

The only advantage is that the 'safety testing' has been done, so you could avoid this problem

Well that brings up another issue to consider. I doubt the Zapcar is actually very safe at all in any serious collision because it qualifies as a motorcycle in most states, so despite the presence of things like seatbelts, it's unlikely to have been tested much in that respect if at all. All three-wheelers for that matter should be considered barely safer than riding a motorcycle. Aside from an increased visibility to other drivers, there isn't much if any extra protection there.

I'm not going to suggest that one might as well just ride a motorcycle however, as there is a clear utility benefit and stability improvement on slippery surfaces. Plus you get that nice extra of shelter from the elements.

Still, I'm leaning and working in two directions which I believe makes more sense at least to me and my family. By converting an existing car, I'm taking advantage of proven safety and functionality. It's going to cost a bit more, but the everyday liveability and speed potential of it make it worth the extra cost to me. Likewise, I'll be installing a hub motor kit on my bicycle which takes the far more minimalistic approach (short of motorless obviously) that I will take advantage of on a more daily basis when the weather isn't foul.