I seriously doubt we'll see the big three or any large auto maker in the US coming out with a 3 wheeler, ever. Three wheeler's main advantage is that the DOT sees them as motorcycles so they don't have to meet crash standards.
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Three wheeler's main advantage is that the DOT sees them as motorcycles so they don't have to meet crash standards.
So, that makes them suicide vehicles?
VenuterOne's main advantages are low weight and good aerodynamics. Both are big concerns when designing an EV. That DOT treats them as motorcycles is DOT's problem.
This is a new class of vehicles that still needs a name. Three wheelers are not all the same.
I'm not saying they are necessarily unsafe, just that their big advantage for small scale vehicle manufacturers is that they don't have to jump through the crash test hoops. My main point this whole time has been that three wheeled vehicles, electric or otherwise, have not and will never be more than a niche vehicle, and that time, money and energy would be better spent improving four wheeled vehicles.
since their cornering ability is more limited due to center-of-gravity issues.
Can you back up that assertion with any line of reasoning?
From where I sit, three wheeled vehicles make a lot of sense -- especially when your goal is energy efficiency. As far as I can tell, your objection is that "three wheelers have never been popular, therefore they can never be popular". That's a non sequitur.
The meat of the car market is sedans. You want to change the world, that's where you try and have something to sell. I personally would never buy a three wheeled vehicle, and I doubt that I'm alone in that sentiment.
My reasoning is after hundreds of years of evolution in wheeled vehicles, from horse drawn wagons to modern cars, 4 wheels has been found to be the best setup for the majority of powered human transportation needs, and I see nothing that will change that, other than a major collapse of society. In that case we'll all be walking and riding bicycles and horses anyway.
Most states require a motorcycle license for three wheelers, thus requiring additional tests. I am not sure if all states offer a license restricted only to three wheelers. If not the test would be on a two wheel cycle.
None tilting three wheelers have significant stability issues on hard cornering.
Vehicles with only one steering tire are much more susceptible to lose of steering control due to minor unfavorable road conditions.
Probably 95% of the population equate vehicle safety with large SUVs, even small cars are considered almost suicidal. Motorcycles and strange looking three wheelers are only for those with a definite death wish.
Also in the same line, outside of only a few of the more eco conscious areas of the country anyone seen driving such a strange looking vehicle will be considered to be a lunatic fringe person and not to be taken seriously in anything they do or say.
Four wheels has NOT been found to be the best setup. It's been found to be the most widespread and most popular setup. There is no logical connection demonstrating that the most used solution is the best solution.
That's like saying most computers use Microsoft Windows, therefore Windows is the best operating system in the world. Just trying telling some programmers that and watch the hysterical laughter that ensues!
If you believe four wheels is really the "best setup", then all I ask is: How so? Best in what respect? Show your work!
Not in any state with snow. A single rear wheel drive trying to push 2 front wheels through snow or ice? No thank you.Not relevant. The smart designs, like the T-Rex and the Aptera, all have one drive tire in the rear and two steering tires up front. This design is potentially more stable than a four wheeler on slippery roads, because acceleration is always applied straight through the center axis of the car.
Only if there is a compelling reason to do so. You have not shown that reason.It's all a matter of exposure. People can get used to just about anything.