View Full Version : The Triac
domenick
04-26-2008, 08:44 PM
The Triac looks like it may be coming soon for those who want an all-electric highway speed three wheeler. Seats two tandem styley. Lithium ion gives 120 mile range.
This would be great for most of my driving. I think I could even make to the beach though I might have to leave the kayak at home.
Triac (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/26/video-new-triac-highway-speed-electric-car-available-now/)
WarpedOne
04-27-2008, 02:24 AM
Beh, ugly, unstable.
Beh, ugly, unstable.
Yup, everything an EV should not be. Fail.
domenick
04-27-2008, 12:16 PM
Beh, ugly, unstable.
While it's probably not going to wind up in any art galleries, I don't see as being spectacularly unstable. Better than one wheel up front and two in the back.
BTW, the article was corrected. The seating is side-by-side not tandem.
Well, it's allegedly available, shaped like an egg, unsafe, made in China, and supposedly about $20,000. Yup, it's what we're stuck with as far as EVs go. Anyone else sick of this?
BBHighway
04-27-2008, 03:48 PM
Hey, the more the merrier, right?
I think it shows just how much Tesla is on target with the Roadster.
Ok, the Roadster pretty outrageously expensive, but at this stage of the game, it is simply not possible to make a real, 4-wheeled, fully 50-state certified, crash-tested, highway legal, comfortable, and reasonably good looking actual electric car with a reasonable range for a cheap, or even a moderate price.
So, Tesla has everything but the low price. Everyone else seems to have none of the other attributes, and yet they still struggle to keep the price down. Or they simply don't have product for the foreseeable future. It's kinda hard to drive a press release.
I hope the day when the practical, cheap electric car is possible comes soon, but it's clearly not here yet. The Whitestar should be a significant step in that direction. We've been promised a look at it in the 2nd quarter, so that should happen sometime within the next 65 days. Can't wait.
domenick
04-28-2008, 01:14 AM
I'd take this over a Myers Motors $36,000 rig (http://www.myersmotors.com/im1/p/2008_Window_Sticker.pdf). More affordable, 3 X the range, just as unsafe to be in an accident with.
The Aptera should improve on the safety part of the EV equation considerably while only slightly (at $27,900) increasing the price. I think their 4-wheel vehicle will be formidable competition to the Tesla Whitestar.
WarpedOne
04-28-2008, 07:24 AM
http://flytheroad.com/images/Splash_8.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2008/04/triac.jpg
I do not know about you, but I know in which of those two I cannot afford to be seen in.
I'd be much happier doing a conversion on a real car for the same money, with lithium. For 20K you might not get 100 miles but you'd have a real car with 4 wheels and that you could add range to in the future. For 36k you could probably get the 100 miles.
I must admit I like the Triac. The Aptera has nothing on this. I'd really consider buying this vehicle. Really sweet. Thanks for posting. How come there is no purchasing information on the company website? Kool car. I would also like to know the energy density of the pack they are using. That way I can determine mile per gallon equivalent. I'm just going to assume that number is high. hehe :smile:
domenick
04-30-2008, 09:15 AM
As far as anyone knows, they are still in the process of moving (maybe setting up shop?) I'll pass on what ever I can scrounge up. I think the Aptera would be lots nicer though. Better construction with quality materials and definitely safer.
On the other hand it would be nice to keep my current vehicle if it could be retrofit and have that kind of range and speed. I doubt it'd be possible for $20,000 though.
I must admit I like the Triac. The Aptera has nothing on this. I'd really consider buying this vehicle. Really sweet. Thanks for posting. How come there is no purchasing information on the company website? Kool car. I would also like to know the energy density of the pack they are using. That way I can determine mile per gallon equivalent. I'm just going to assume that number is high. hehe :smile:
Yeah, watch yourself Jeff. Such a startup, I wouldn't buy unless you pay in person if you know what I mean. Plus warranty issues, and you don't have a clue about performance. I think I'd ask for a test drive first. Don't need any more ZAPs out there.
domenick
05-07-2008, 10:12 AM
They released a little bit more info on the car (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/05/07/more-details-on-the-electric-triac-emerge-new-truck/) and now they're going to do a truck too?
Wonder if it will resemble a Xebra?
Triac to arrive this July, reservations being accepted, and other juicy details - AutoblogGreen (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/05/13/triac-to-arrive-this-july-reservations-being-accepted-and-othe/)
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2008/05/triac-wesite-front-view.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2008/05/triac-website-profile.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autobloggreen.com/media/2008/05/triac-website-rear-view.jpg
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_16693879
Triac, an electric car made in Salinas, getting ready to hit the streets...
(note, previous post said it would "arrive" two years ago.)
Better never than late. Still weird, ugly, overpriced, and won't sell.
And.... dead.
Electric Car Maker Folds, Salinas Loses $500,000 - The Central Coast News Story - KSBW The Central Coast (http://www.ksbw.com/r/28586219/detail.html)
Sad... Seems like the 3 wheeled vehicles are doomed even though they may avoid having to meet the same standards as a 4 wheeler.