{"id":9487,"date":"2021-01-26T12:20:50","date_gmt":"2021-01-26T11:20:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/?p=9487"},"modified":"2021-01-26T12:21:51","modified_gmt":"2021-01-26T11:21:51","slug":"three-wheeled-ev","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/2021\/01\/26\/three-wheeled-ev\/","title":{"rendered":"Can a Three-Wheeled EV Catch on in Fleet?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Screen grab courtesy of ElectraMeccanica.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Bobit Business Media fleet editor Chris Brown took the first all-electric ElectraMeccanica Solo, hot off the production line, for a debut test drive. Check out the test drive video<\/a> within.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

As I pulled into the parking lot for a test drive of the ElectraMeccanica Solo, I couldn\u2019t help but think, sheepishly: I drove here in my three-row, 4×4 SUV by myself. It\u2019s a hybrid SUV, mind you, but I\u2019m clearly not yet part of the movement to fit the travel need to the transportation type.<\/span><\/p>\n

The electric ElectraMeccanica Solo, however, fits this new trend.<\/span><\/p>\n

Solo is a three-wheel, single-occupant electric vehicle. It\u2019s classified as a motorcycle, though a standard passenger vehicle license will put you behind its steering wheel legally in 40 states. The highway-ready Solo gets up to 100 miles on a charge and tops out at 80 mph.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c(Solo) fits in the space between passenger vehicles and micromobility,\u201d said Paul Rivera, ElectraMeccanica\u2019s CEO at the event.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fleet Uses<\/span><\/h2>\n

The first-generation Solo was hatched in 2015 in proof-of-concept quantities and it was initially intended as a commuter runabout, Rivera said. Rivera joined the company in 2019 and set about making design changes that broadened its applications.<\/span><\/p>\n

He widened the front track, added a rollbar, and engineered greater side impact protection and crumple zones. Driving amenities were added such as air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, remote keyless entry, Bluetooth and USB, a heated seat, and a rearview backup camera.<\/span><\/p>\n

Under the motorcycle classification Solo doesn\u2019t have to be NHTSA crash tested nor is it required to have airbags, though Rivera said he intends to add airbags and an anti-lock brake system (ABS) to the next model.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Along with power steering, the latest generation of Solo also has torque-limiting steering control. This may seem unnecessary for a 17.3 kWh battery that generates a modest 60 hp and 103 lb.-ft. of torque, but we\u2019ll get to that.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"ElectraMeccanica<\/span>
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ElectraMeccanica CEO Paul Rivera (right) demonstrates Solo\u2019s double-door entry to fleet editor Chris Brown. <\/span>Photo by Chris Brown.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Solo can be spec\u2019d with a cargo box that offers 5 cubic feet of space and about 60 lbs. of payload. In that ground between passenger vehicles and micromobility, where could Solo fit in fleet applications?<\/span><\/p>\n

Rivera sees Solo in campus or parking lot security functions, food and pharmaceutical delivery, and sales and service applications with limited payload needs. Rivera expects fleet operators will give practical use input into the next model\u2019s design.<\/span><\/p>\n

With its small footprint (10.2 feet in length) and zero emissions status, Solo is suited for urban environments, particularly with the growing movement to curtail carbon emissions in many cities. Rivera sees Solo in shared mobility scenarios in strategically placed pods.<\/span><\/p>\n

Three-wheeled electric vehicles have splashed into the market<\/a> but never really caught on. What\u2019s different now? \u201cWe\u2019re no longer trying to educate on EVs, we can thank Elon (Musk) for that,\u201d Rivera said. \u201cAt the same time, we\u2019re not trying to compete with Tesla.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For EVs, advances in battery technology are a double-edged sword. While upgrades in density and range are essential, older technology is quickly obsolete. Solo, however, is designed for specific uses within a range and price point. \u201cWe\u2019re not going for 300-mile range. Our value proposition is completely different,\u201d he added.<\/span><\/p>\n

For fleets, Solo will have competition from Arcimoto\u2019s three-wheeled Deliverator<\/a>, which offers a substantially larger 350-pound carrying capacity and over 20\u00a0cubic feet of cargo space. Of course, the Deliverator will never double as a commuter car.<\/span><\/p>\n

At $18,500 and with negligible operating costs, Solo should make fleets think about which applications might be suitable to shift from the traditional four wheels.<\/span><\/p>\n

Production<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Since<\/span><\/figure>\n

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Since the original prototype, ElectraMeccanica added driving amenities such as air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, remote keyless entry, Bluetooth and USB, a heated seat, and a rearview backup camera. <\/span>Photo by Chris Brown.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ElectraMeccanica, a public company, produces vehicles through Zongshen Industrial Group in Chongqing, China. First orders should hit the streets by the end of this year. Duly noted, being in production is now a differentiator from vaporware announcements of other electric tech upstarts.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Chinese plant has the capacity to pump out 20,000 units per year, though Rivera is realistic about first-year output. \u201cGoing from no production to production takes time to ramp up,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Zongshen\u2019s plant will continue to produce Solo for international markets and produce kits for final assembly in the U.S. ElectraMeccanica is planning to open a 250,000-sq.-ft. facility in either Tennessee or Arizona. The final site winner should be announced before Thanksgiving, Rivera said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sales are direct to buyer, and will be limited in 2021 to California, Arizona, and Oregon as the Vancouver-based company grows its sales and service support network. ElectraMeccanica has hired a dedicated fleet sales manager. Rivera has orders from a major food franchise chain and a delivery company but won\u2019t yet reveal names.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Drive<\/span><\/h2>\n

Our Solo model was the first off the production line in China. Solo\u2019s double doors allow ingress from either side. Entering felt like climbing in a glider cockpit, though the single-seat cabin didn\u2019t necessarily feel claustrophobic.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Solo<\/span><\/figure>\n

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Solo can be spec\u2019d with a cargo box that offers 5 cubic feet of space and about 60 lbs. of payload, which could serve urban delivery applications such as food delivery. <\/span>Photo by Chris Brown.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Solo gets to 60 mph within 10 seconds, unremarkable on paper (the Chevy Bolt does it in 7 seconds). But Solo still delivers that off-the-line immediacy electric motors are known for. About that torque limiter, I was actually grateful for it.<\/span><\/p>\n

As I got more confident with speed in the cone course, I yanked Solo into some sharp turns to see if I could skid the tires or throw it off balance, but the three-wheeler stayed firmly planted. Check out the video of my drive here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our parking lot drive could not replicate street driving, however. I would\u2019ve liked to experience Solo on city streets and the highway to assess my comfort level on uneven road surfaces and amidst \u201cnormal-sized vehicles.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One can imagine pulling up next to an F-150 Raptor to see who wins the race to the next traffic light, though the Raptor would have the edge if it\u2019s hauling air. It may not be possible to crane one\u2019s neck upward from the Solo\u2019s cockpit to see the Raptor driver\u2019s expression anyway.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is guaranteed: The Raptor spews a lot of carbon, while the Solo emits none at all.<\/span><\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

by Chris Brown<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Chris<\/figure>\n
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Chris Brown<\/h1>\n

Executive Editor<\/h3>\n

https:\/\/plus.google.com\/112966626995148870245<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Chris Brown is the executive editor of Business Fleet,\u00a0Auto Rental News\u00a0<\/em>and Fleet Forward<\/em>. Through these publications, online newsletters, trade events, and associations, Chris covers all aspects of the fleet world, including fleet management, the new mobility ecosystem, manufacturer fleet activities, the fleet leasing industry, vehicle remarketing, rental industry news, car rental taxation and legislation as well as automotive environmental initiatives and trends.\u00a0Chris produces the International Car Rental Show and the Fleet Forward Conference. Chris is relied on as industry resource in matters relating to car rental by major media outlets such as the Washington Post, New York Times, Forbes, Wall Street Journal,\u00a0and National Public Radio.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Source: https:\/\/www.businessfleet.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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CUT COTS OF THE FLEET WITH OUR AUDIT PROGRAM<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n

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The audit is a key tool to know the overall status and provide the analysis, the assessment, the advice, the suggestions and the actions to take in order to cut costs and increase the efficiency and efficacy of the fleet. We propose the following fleet management audit.<\/p>\n

FLEET MANAGEMENT AUDIT<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Screen grab courtesy of ElectraMeccanica. Bobit Business Media fleet editor Chris Brown took the first all-electric ElectraMeccanica Solo, hot off the production line, for a debut test drive. Check out the test drive video within. As I pulled into the parking lot for a test drive of the ElectraMeccanica Solo, I couldn\u2019t help but think,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":9488,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[18],"tags":[394],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9487"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9487"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9487\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9491,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9487\/revisions\/9491"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9488"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9487"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9487"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advancedfleetmanagementconsulting.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9487"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}