Anyone working on “Energy-Efficient” transportation

[FreakinDJ]

I’m a bit of a “Mad-Inventor” and have machine shop packed into my garage. Well equipped enough to where I can fabricate most any thing I can think of (with the exception of a foundry)

I have seen a few Electric Vehicles and Super Fuel Efficient Vehicles built by folks like myself who are tired of waiting on the auto industry and are taking matters into their own hands.

Have been tossing around the idea of a light weight ultra-low drag coefficient 3 wheeled vehicle to run on LNG

[IDemo]

1. I'd love to have the shop space and money to build one of these:

http://www.electricmotion.org/

[FreakinDJ]

2. Not too difficult with a "Tube Bender" and a welder

There is a guy in New Mexico, I believe who has been building those

But did you know "3 Wheels" also qualifies as a "Motorcycle" to the DMV and is therefore exempt from most automobile regulations. Not that I encourage being unsafe, but complying is so costly as to inhibit any new competition

[IDemo]

4. If you're looking mainly at electric vehicles, this place is a good resource->

For e-bikes, motorcycles and cars.

http://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums/

[AndyTiedye]

7. Electric-Assisted Bicycles Don't Even Have to be Registered if the Electric Part < 20mph

Up to 20mph under assist, an electric-assisted bicycle is still legally a bicycle.

[FreakinDJ]

3. like these

[bean fidhleir]

5. There are a number of people doing sub-50cc 4stroke add-ons to tadpole trikes

They get 150-200mpg, 30mph speed.

[FreakinDJ]

9. Some folks are getting plus 60 mpg with existing cars

just playing with the existing motor and EFI

If they started out with smaller displacement, lighter frame, and much leaner drag coeffiecent who knows, perhaps 2 passenger, 65 mph, with 60 plus mpg would become reality

[IDemo]

6. I'd really like to have got my hands on one of these:

Unfortunately, Corbin Motors declared bankruptcy.

Merlin roadster (transverse-mounted Harley Davidson motor)

[FreakinDJ]

8. Nice

wonder what they did with the molds for the body

[Juche]

10. Forkenswift

http://forkenswift.com/

Build an electric car out of a forklift motor, an old economy car, car batteries and golf cart parts.

[catnhatnh]

11. Well then...

two wheels forward and one to the rear...bye-bye differential weight. Tear-drop aero-they fall out of the sky that way because it's the most efficient. Think 40 hp turbo diesel 2-stroke with bio-option and CVT torque type transmission. Look into aircraft engines-aircooled diesel engines are starting to show up there. For storage push the driver rearward and deepen the dash area-should help with impact/crush area also. Just a few thoughts...

[FreakinDJ]

12. I was kind of thinking along those lines

For my proto-type

Use a “water-cooled” motorcycle engine and swing arm assembly for my rear wheel drive. 2 wheeled double A-frame suspension in front.

The water cooled engine also gives off waste heat which can be cycled into a heater core for the winter months.

Just enough room for 2 occupants, 2 brief cases, and 2 lunches. A commuter vehicle.

[catnhatnh]

13. Again think aircooled...

You can heat-exchange for winter.But aircooled loses a bunch of stuff that weighs a ton or robs power-think radiator,coolant and water pump, plus water cooling jacket within the castings.And yes, as a past VW guy I recognize it's weakness-yet if economy is the point you pays your nickle and takes your chance...oh yeah-think shutterstat-an item used on trucks in the 70's to open or close a set of louvers in front of the radiator or heat source....