Arcimoto Pulse

[RainCaster]

Here is an interesting alternative to the Aptera-
Three wheels, hiway speeds, two seats. $20,000 price target
http://arcimoto.com/
http://blog.marketplace.nwsource.com...v_startup.html

[rayfellow]

Let's see:
Motor - Aptera: AC - ARC: DC
Battery - Aptera: Li Ion - ARC: lead Acid
Range - Aptera: 100 mi plus - ARC: 50 mi
Drive wheel - Aptera: FWD - ARC: Rear wheel (belt?)
Seating - Aptera: side by side ARC: Tandem
Storage cap. - Aptera: Lots in the rear ARC: Not too much
Price - Aptera $25/40K ARC: start at $20K

Hmmm. I think we have a winner.... Unless you get the ARC price down to say $14k or so.

[SlowSRT4]

Originally Posted by rayfellow

Let's see:
Motor - Aptera: AC - ARC: DC
Battery - Aptera: Li Ion - ARC: lead Acid
Range - Aptera: 100 mi plus - ARC: 50 mi
Drive wheel - Aptera: FWD - ARC: Rear wheel (belt?)
Seating - Aptera: side by side ARC: Tandem
Storage cap. - Aptera: Lots in the rear ARC: Not too much
Price - Aptera $25/40K ARC: start at $20K

Hmmm. I think we have a winner.... Unless you get the ARC price down to say $14k or so.

Aptera beats everything, they just need to make it.

[PatQ562]

Given that the Arcimoto has manifestly higher drag and powertrain losses, I would expect there to be much more than a 2:1 difference in effective range using lead-acid in the Arcimoto. 50 miles may be possible at 50mph, whereas we're "supposed" to get an easy 100 mile range at freeway speeds with Aptera. Real-world range ratio under comparable conditions should be at least 3:1.

Another problem with short-range batteries - you use up your "500 cycles" a lot quicker. 500 cycles x 50 miles = 25,000 miles, if all goes well (the EV1 was going thru lead acid packs at about 15K miles at least initially, and my Karmann Ghia only went about 1500 miles). If the best lithium cells really will deiiver 1000 cycles or more, we are exceeding 100K miles of usable lifetime.

Like SlowSRT4 said - all Aptera needs to do is make it.

[Dolphyn]

The Arcimoto Pulse was previously announced with a top speed of 55 mph. I wonder when they changed the spec to "65+ mph"?

Cup holders are standard. Woo-hoo!

[PatQ562]

Maybe when they daringly upped the power and hit 65 without actually losing control?

Actually wasn't there something about a lithium upgrade?

Pat Q

[PatQ562]

Tailgating protection provided by uncovered rear tire throwing rain and gravel in the face of anyone following too closely. Isn't lack of mudflaps or fenders illegal?

Pat Q

[IanO]

Yeah, Arcimoto is definitely going the low-tech route. Unlike Aptera, most of their design decisions prioritize low-cost rather than maximum efficiency. Hence the DC-motors, lead-acid packs, and more angular body.

The upside? Fewer engineering challenges. I'm pretty certain they will be in production before Aptera. They are also poised to quickly incorporate technology improvements as the increased volume spurred by the EV big boys brings down component costs.

Even with the compromises, they expect the Pulse to have over 400 preorders before they enter production.

[Dolphyn]

Originally Posted by PatQ562

Actually wasn't there something about a lithium upgrade?

Yes, the spec sheet shows Lithium-ion batteries for the Premium model.

[SlowSRT4]

Originally Posted by PatQ562

Tailgating protection provided by uncovered rear tire throwing rain and gravel in the face of anyone following too closely. Isn't lack of mudflaps or fenders illegal?

Pat Q

3-wheeled vehicles are considered motorcycles and do not have to adhere to any car regulations that might exist regarding that.