Green Vehicles Traic to be the first affordable highway speed EV, available 'now'?

I noticed that steens added the Green Vehicles Traic to the products section and decided to check it out.  I hadn't heard of Green Vehicles before, but apparently it's a California company which has so far made a couple of neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs).  Now AutoblogGreen reports that suddenly they're advertising the Green Vehicles Traic, which is a 3-wheeled 2 seater EV they claim can go 70 mph, 120 miles/charge, and only costs $20k.  The also claim it's 'available now', although there hasn't yet been an official announcement on their website.  Apparently they're taking reservations now for July delivery.

 

So it appears that Green Vehicles has beat Aptera to the first highway speed affordable EV, by a few months and also about $8,000.  The Traic is smaller than the Aptera typ-1e and doesn't go as fast, but their claimed ranges are identical.

 

This is very exciting news.  A highway speed EV that costs less than a hybrid!  The EV revolution has begun!

Edited by dana1981 - Wed, 14 May 2008 20:08:24 UTC

ABG reports that test drives will be available in mid-July and the company is based in Mill Valley, so I'll definitely be up there come mid-July!

 i just checked out that youtube video -- amazing!  i can't believe it.  and that is such a reasonable price.  but it does seem really tiny...looks more akin to NEVs given its size, but i guess what distinguishes it is its top speed?  because it's freeway drive-able? what do we think about safety?  i don't think it'd stand much of a chance going 70mph against a hummer or some of those other gigantic vehicles on the highway...

According to their website it's a safe car because the body is reinforced steel.  When I saw it, the look of it reminded me of a SmartCar or Think or Mini, for which you could make that small safety argument as well.

Edited by dana1981 - Thu, 15 May 2008 02:28:34 GMT

dana, thanks for the link to their website!  looks kind of ridiculous (and i mean that in the most complimentary way).  i've gotta add it to my 'wants,' haha.

 

as for safety, they cite a low center of gravity as well as a steel cage.  sounds good, but i'll still wait for those crash testing reports before i'm fully convinced.  i guess, though, the smart car passed those crash tests with flying colors, so it bodes well for the ability of these really mini cars to be safe....

 

this one is actually affordable -- vs. the tesla -- and would be perfect for city driving.  stins, keep us updated on that test drive in mid-july!

Ah well actually the reason so many of these EVs are coming out as three-wheelers (Traic, Aptera, ZAP Alias) is that they don't need to pass the crash tests because the cars are actually classified as motorcycles.  So that way they get to market sooner.  That's why Aptera emphasized the safety of their car in the video tour they made, because they need to convince people it's safe despite the lack of crash testing.

Edited by dana1981 - Thu, 15 May 2008 16:23:13 UTC

 ohhhhh hmmm this makes me feel wary.  i just don't know about taking that thing out on a curvy highway with larger vehicles on the road.  but i'd LOVE it for more local/neighborhood driving. would you hit up the freeway in something like the Traic?

 

Yeah sure, it sounds to me like it's just as safe as a SmartCar.  Plus with a smaller car it's easier to maneuver and avoid accidents.  I think I'd feel fine taking it on the freeway at my usual 65 mph.

Yeah...I think my only real concern would be having truckers or folks in larger cars not see the car when glancing in their mirrors, etc.  It wouldn't be too fun to end up in someone's blind spot.  Other than that....it looks like a pretty fun vehicle! 

There are currently many electric cars wut great auto parts available but most of them cannot go very fast. These types of cars are commonly called Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) or Low Speed Vehicles (LSVs). I am not interested in such vehicles since my driving common involves California freeways where people drive fast.

 

** edited to remove link in violation of Commercial Use Policy

Edited by admin - Thu, 19 Feb 2009 01:52:37 GMT

Unimportant to retain high speed for the most part for me, but the former owner of my 1993 City-el 3-wheel electric vehicle changed the gearing much higher and boosted the voltage and bragged "I can take it on the expressway now!".  Those factory upgraded City-els are pictured on the Autobahn in Germany now.

 

It will do 50, as he says, but I only did that once on Highway 1 (where it goes through Santa Cruz)- downright scary!  The Triac is being built to go fast- correct suspension/tires.  I enjoy accelerating right to the speed limit of 35 mph, but mine was supposed to be a LSV!

My Triac is on the way!!!!!!

I have been waiting for over a year to get mine, and it is finally on the way. I should get it by the end of August.

I have started a blog to document my experiance (hopefully a good one) with it. Good point, bad points, issues, etc. You are all welcome to follow along.

http://mytriacrocks.blogspot.com/

Congrats Boppster! We are all looking forward to your experiences (all good we hope!) 

Do you have any more info. on the Triac?
Rich

Hi Sir;

Did you get your Triac yet?

Rich from NJ

 More new about 3-wheelers:  http://puregreencars.com/Green-Cars-News/markets-finance/three-wheelers_will_be_eligible_for_doe_funds.html
Very pleasing but I am going up the wall waiting!   

 

 Reva is coming to New York: http://puregreencars.com/Green-Cars-News/electric/bannon_to_buld_reva_electric_cars_in_new_york.html

I took "E-rides" on-line and they certainly are fine on highways in Europe.  It will sure be interesting to see more in CA. too, and without import charges; this vehicle is fairly easily brought here.  Only time will tell.

 if you have more info about this, please post them for us.
thanks.