SYNOPSIS: Triac is said to deliver 80 mph and 100 mile range on lithium ion batteries for a fifth the cost of the Tesla.
Meet the newest entrant into the tri-wheeled, quasi-car, electric commuter vehicle mindspace. Green Vehicles of Mill Valley, California is planning to launch sales of its Triac, pictured above. The company claims the two-seater has a top speed of 80 mph and a range of greate than 100 miles.
According to the spec sheet, it is powered by a 20 kW permanent magnet sychronous motor mated to a five-speed manual transmission. An automatic version is apparently in development, as is an upgraded 30kW motor. Regenerative braking is standard on the vehicle. The battery pack is 144-volts of 160 amph hour lithium-ion. The onboard 240/120 volt battery charger is said to be capable of recharging the batteries in about 6 hours.
The origin of the vehicle is not specified in any available company literature, but presumably it is of Asian, and likely Chinese origin, as are other EVs like those from ZAP and Miles Electric Vehicles, where EV World is told there are some 200 automakers, virtually all of whom have electric vehicle projects in development. If this is the case, then China is likely to become the center of the EV world.
The company produced the video below for distribution through YouTube.
We assume EV World readers/listeners/viewers would appreciate learning about this vehicle. We will also endeavour to contact the company -- and since we are planning to visit the Bay Area later this summer, we plan to pay them a visit -- along with Tesla -- and see first hand what they have to offer -- as well what the difference is between a $100,000 electric car and one starting as just under $20,000.
Green Vehicles is also planning to introduce three more small EVs, a tiny, four-passenger mini-van called the 'Moose', a more Smart car-like vehicle called the MicroWatt and an open bed work truck that appears similar to the Zap Xebra truck, named the Buckshot.
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8 comments so far...
07-Aug-2008
63165
First, the Tesla Roadster has airbags, so Mr. Tamos really needs to read up a bit.
Second, the Sparrow did the electric three-wheeler much better, although it was only a one-seater and the lead-acid batteries limited the range.
Third, the BugE seems to be much the same as the Triac for less than $6,000. Except it is much cooler looking.
Posted by: David Schlinkert
29-Jul-2008
63021
Shame on the incompetent author of this page for making multiple favorable comparisons to Zap! For those of you who don't know Zap! is a scam with the most shameful track record in the EV business.
http://www.wired.com/cars/futuretransport/magazine/16-04/ff_zapped
In future when I read things on this site I will bear in mind EV World has sloppy reporters like you.
Posted by: Dona Lduck
20-May-2008
61760
I would think that the Triac would be safer than a motorcycle, about as safe as a mini cooper, and less safer than a huge SUV. I for one "driving 50+ miles" per day in a 92'C1500 truck, will jump at a low cost EV.
Posted by: Ken Smith
21-May-2008
61794
Best EV for the common folks to date
Posted by: j gann
16-May-2008
61715
Thanks for posting the vaious segments.
Triac??? Aside from looking like a circus clown car, my safety is more important to me than saving gasoline. Anyone in a crash more than a few miles per hour would know the importance. I can imagine a Triac getting wiped out by a Prius. I want to review crash test data BEFORE I ever consider any of these units.
Posted by: Frank E
17-May-2008
61722
The TRIAC comes standard with a structural steel cage, frontal impact rediection system to push the motor, transmission, tires and batteries under the driver in the event of a frontal impact, side impact bars, disk brakes and extremeley low center of gravity. Not bad for $19,995. Consider that no electric vehicle on the market...not even the $100,000 Tesla can offer airbags.
Posted by: Edward Tamos
26-May-2008
61893
Compared to other ev's I think the styling is very appealing. I only wish the buckshots body styling was as aerodynamic. I understand the 3rd rear wheel resembles "gold members" mode of transportation (austin powers) but what can you do.
I love the competition that is generating from the high price of fuel. Hopefully sooner than later the tables will turn on the greedy, money hungry oil tyrants who refuse to show any mercy while recording their astranomical profits!
Posted by: Jason DeWitt
17-Jun-2008
62243
Edward Tamos, the Tesla does indeed have airbags.
http://www.teslamotors.com/blog3/?p=73
Posted by: Bjorn Nilsson
