Arcimoto 3-wheeled EV Commuter

Arcimoto Pulse 3 wheel EV

The Arcimoto Pulse is a three-wheeled, two-person, fully enclosed electric vehicle produced by a new EV start-up company in Eugene, Oregon USA for the urban commuter market. Arcimoto (pronounced arkee-moto) was founded in November 2007 by Mark Frohnmayer and the Pulse is their first entry into the EV market. Additional copies of the Pulse are scheduled to start rolling off their production line in first half of 2011.

The Arcimoto Pulse is now just wrapping up their 5th generation version of the EV. The cost of running the vehicle should be 1 to 2 cents per mile, just a fraction of what it currently required to operate the average passenger car in the USA. The low operating cost is mostly due to the fact that Electric vehicles require little maintenance, no oil changes, or spark plug replacement for example.  Another benefit to green-minded consumers is that EVs emit no polluting greenhouse gases.

Fully refundable pre-orders can be placed online for $500.

Generation 4 Platform Prototype Specifications

Drive System
HPGC AC50 induction motor
5.13 : 1 ring and pinion gear reduction
Front-wheel drive
Regenerative braking system

Estimated Range
40 miles, base pack, lead-acid batteries
80 miles, commuter pack, lithium iron phosphate batteries
160 miles, touring pack, lithium iron phosphate batteries

Ergonomics
Fully comfortable front and back seat

Safety
3-wheel manual disc brakes
Mechanically actuated parking brake
3-point seat belts
Space frame design with full roll cage and crumple zone

Top Speed
65 MPH

Charging
110 volt/15 amp, charges in 4-7 hours

Specs and Stats for the Arcimoto EV Platform will no doubt continue to be updated and improved.

The company currently employs about two dozen people. The Pulse will be priced at approximately $17,000 USD and is being positioned as an affordable option for people looking for a clean, low-maintenance EV commuter car.