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Traic EV

post #1 of 37
5/14/08 at 12:52pm
Thread Starter 

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
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post #2 of 37
5/14/08 at 12:58pm

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!

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post #3 of 37
5/14/08 at 5:24pm

 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...

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post #4 of 37
5/14/08 at 7:25pm
Thread Starter 

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
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post #5 of 37
5/15/08 at 8:38am

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!

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post #6 of 37
5/15/08 at 9:22am
Thread Starter 

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
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post #7 of 37
5/15/08 at 9:24am

 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?

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post #8 of 37
5/15/08 at 9:30am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lola:

 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.

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post #9 of 37
5/15/08 at 10:16am

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! 

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post #10 of 37
2/2/09 at 4:47pm

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
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post #11 of 37
2/7/09 at 11:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by khooper:

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.

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!

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post #12 of 37
7/24/09 at 6:52am
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/
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post #13 of 37
7/24/09 at 9:35am
Congrats Boppster! We are all looking forward to your experiences (all good we hope!) 
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post #14 of 37
10/18/09 at 9:05pm
Do you have any more info. on the Triac?
Rich
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post #15 of 37
10/18/09 at 9:08pm
Hi Sir;

Did you get your Triac yet?

Rich from NJ
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post #16 of 37
10/18/09 at 9:17pm
 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!   
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post #17 of 37
10/20/09 at 6:42am


 

Hi Rich, No I have not got my Triac yet. They are suppose to be finishing it this week, and I was told that one was suppose to be delivered to the dealer near where I live last week. The dealer has not got his yet either. The dealer is "Green Car Co. located in Bellevue WA." I am hoping that arranging the shipping is taking longer than expected, and they will be shipped together. Most car shipping trucks do not have a center ramp. Since the Triac is a three wheeler it will take a truck that is a flat bed, or at least has a center support, along with three ramps to load it. I just hope it gets here soon. All I have for transportation now is my motorcycle, and the weather here in Washington is starting to get VERY WET, and cold.
I have started a blog that I am updating regularly with all the data that I can get. I will be logging the delays in shipping, along with the results I get in respect to speed and range when I get it. As I always tell people, take the range they quote you, and cut it in half. That is probably more likely to be true. I am very anxious to see the actual range that I get.
Here is my blog

mytriacrocks.blogspot.com
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post #18 of 37
10/25/09 at 10:59am
 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.
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post #19 of 37
10/28/09 at 3:54am
 if you have more info about this, please post them for us.
thanks.
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post #20 of 37
11/11/09 at 5:17am
Well I am really starting to get worried. I have just heard that the production Triac is not going to make it to the Seattle auto show the 11th thru the 15th. I was told that the delivery is now pushed out into December because they are busy moving there production facility to a different city.
 
It turns out that the VIN# that Green Vehicles gave me is a fake. It is not for one of there vehicles at all. It turns out it is a VIN# off of a Smart car.
 
I have been giving them the benefit of the doubt, but am afraid they have been stringing me along.
 
The company is also going after state and federal money. I am sure this is were they are putting all there effort. Ehab told me the schedule got pushed out because he was busy with acquiring the use of the new building for his production facility. I find it hard to believe that the mechanics that were working on the Triac had to stop because Ehab was trying to work out the details of moving his production to a different city. There are only about 7 of these Triac’s that are here, and it was only suppose to take about two weeks to finish building them after they got here, and that was about 2 1/2 months ago.
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post #21 of 37
11/12/09 at 6:25am
Well it turns out that the VIN number was in fact a good number. My insurance company wrote it up as a smart car because the Triac was not in there system. The first time I confronted them with the problem they assured me the VIN number was in fact for a smart car. I went back, and there was someone there that actually new something and cleared it all up.
I did get a message from Ehab at Green Vehicles, and it said that my Triac was going to ship out on Monday. I will not get my hopes up. This is only about the 5th time he has predicted a ship date.
 
I had a dream last night that I got my Triac, and the range was only 25 miles. I guess dream is not the correct word. it was a nightmare.
All I can say is frangabarskaborgasnorch.
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post #22 of 37
11/16/09 at 6:22am
You will no longer be getting updates from me :(

Nothing like an Attorney to conduct business like this. It may not be a scam like I feared, but they waited until the last minute to send me paperwork that I had to sign in order to be an early adopter.
According to the confidential agreement I will sign I can not disclose anything about the vehicle and its performance. I also can not make any disparaging comments about the vehicle, Green Vehicles, or there employees.
My vehicle is going to ship out Today, and I should get it Wednesday.
I am sure I will be happy with it, and Green Vehicles. I am not sure why the secrecy but to each there own.
I wish everyone well in there EV endeavors.
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post #23 of 37
11/18/09 at 9:25am
 Another highway EV; Think- building in Indiana:
http://puregreencars.com/Green-Cars-News/electric/think_to_build_electric_cars_in_indiana.html
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post #24 of 37
12/4/09 at 5:37pm
wow, it does look like a smart car of america, the strength of this probably is its ability to run in the highway.. this just means that electric cars nowadays are more focusing on the speed because this has long been the downfall of battery powered cars. Some even resorted to installing nitrous kits for a boost in speed but to no avail..
Edited by archebald23 - 12/8/09 at 10:45pm
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post #25 of 37
12/4/09 at 8:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by archebald23 View PostSome even resorted to installing nitrous kits for a boost in speed but to no avail..

Another battery made mine faster than was safe; doing that ruined the distance, but putting nitrous on it would be great.  It is on the backburner this year- covered up and shoved in the corner of the garage.  Maybe in Spring 2010 I will drag it out.

This is an old thread!  We had 4 EVs at the Santa Cruise in Santa Cruz: 2 Miles, a Zele, and my City-EL; and mentioning the Zenn- sales are not good in 2009.
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post #26 of 37
12/4/09 at 8:47pm
Nitrous kits on an electric motor? 

What will it do - excite the electrons into frentic activity? 

No such thing!
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post #27 of 37
12/5/09 at 4:45pm
 Use your imagination Russ!  Leave electronics alone; my EV has container pits on each side. Chop round holes in the back, add 2 small jet engines and a little sign: BEWARE OF BLAST then a new "hybrid" will be ready to go!  I'm thinking drag parachutes!!
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post #28 of 37
12/5/09 at 8:54pm
OK Counterstrike. You could also get one of the 'car tunes' of a dragster coming off the lights! 

You might want to get a document certifying your sanity to carry along just in case a cop stops you though.
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post #29 of 37
12/7/09 at 2:25pm
 My City-EL is pretty much dead until next Spring- if then.  I was hoping for a newer 3-wheeler but one by one they disappeared without announcement.  I am safe from providing document this year anyway.

I had noticed Zenn- the last EV available in this town- was doing poorly.  Zenn is very very slow (25 mph). Newer; yes - 3-wheeler; no. Today I read this: 
Zenn will cease production of their current low speed electric vehicle, the LSV, as of April 30th 2010, to focus exclusively on commercializing drivetrains.


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post #30 of 37
12/11/09 at 6:44am
I have had my Triac for almost three weeks and it is such a treat to drive over my ZENN. It is such a difference having Lithium over Lead Acid batteries. I have gone on several round trips of about 50 miles, with the lights on, and heater running full bore. The temps have been in the low 40’s, and the range was good. I think the range of 100 miles looks to be accurate at 45 MPH with out the heater, although the heater does not seem to affect it much. I have not done a full range test yet.
I am having a little difficulty with the state of charge meter though. Green vehicles is working the issue. They have been WONDERFULL to deal with as far as support. If I had a problem with my ZENN it would be a minimum of 1 month to get it fixed, and on average probably 6 weeks. At times It felt like the ZENN was down about 50% of the time I had it in the first year.

The head room in the Triac is fine. I had originally thought there would be a problem, but I was wrong. Driving an electric stick shift is very different though. Not in a bad way, just different. You have to use the clutch to change gears when you are moving unlike what people have been telling me. You do not have to put in the clutch when stopping. You simply come to a stop in what ever gear you are in, and then shift it into 1st or 2nd. I usually start in 2nd if it is on level ground. If there is a hill I will start in 1st. Because the motor is so quiet you do not know exactly when to shift. That took some getting used to. I use the speedometer to give me an idea of when to shift. Following is my general rule of when to shift. This is based on trying to keep my amps down to increase range.

I found that I stay in 1st gear until I get to 10MPH, then I shift to 2nd. I stay in 2nd until I get to 20MPH, then I shift to 3rd. I stay in 3rd until I get to 30MPH, then I shift to 4th. I stay in 4th until I get to 40MPH, then I shift to 5th. I use 5th for above 40.

The fastest I have gone is about 65MPH, and I was pleasantly surprised. I was thinking there would be a lot more vibration, and it might wander a little. I was surprised to find that it road the same as if I was going 25MPH. I felt no difference. I can let go of the steering wheel, and it goes perfectly straight, no wandering.
The charge time with 110 is a bit lengthy though. A 50 mile trip usually takes me about 10-12 hours to charge. I just got my 220 cord and am looking forward to charging in much less time. I am told that if the batteries are down all the way it will only take about 5 hours to charge with 220
Everyone seams to really like the look of it though. I was thinking people would find it to be odd looking.
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