The Twike Is A Terrifying Three-Wheeled EV With Bicycle Pedals

insideevs.com

33 comments

It's also very expensive, with a brand new Twike 3 costing between $35,000 and $50,000 in Germany
Damn. That's ridiculous.
- Wow, that is straight up artificial pricing.
I watched the Aging Wheels video a few days ago, thinking about posting it in this community. But the only thing I can think to say about it vis-a-vis micromobility is that it's an example of looking like a duck, but quacks like a submarine klaxon.
At 9 kW peak output from its electric motor, this machine slips well past the line for what can plausibly be called human-powered mobility. And like some of the larger, heavier ebike builds we've seen earlier in this community, this falls well outside the limits of "micro" mobility, coming in at 240 kg (530 lbs) minimum. And it does 85 kph (53 mph)? That's almost an impractical speed for this vehicle.
I think we can say we've found the true answer to the question of "what if we make ebikes faster, more powerful, and bigger?". The answer is not a car, but a Twike.
Not to say that the Twike is a bad EV. Ok, it kinda is, but it's a matter of having the right standard to compare to. As an ebike, the Twike is horrific. As a daily driver car, probably the same. But perhaps, just maybe, the Twike could fill a role akin to the classic Grumman LLV mail trucks used by USPS in rural communities. Or something like that, idk.
- Ok, I thought of some more strengths for the Twike, from rewatching the video:
  You're a pilot who wants the same cramped, narrow, two-abreast interior like in a helicopter
  You want to pick up dates by opening up a cockpit canopy like in Top Gun: Maverick
  You've always wanted to drive a Benz Patent-Motorwagen using its tiller, but old cars don't interest you
  You're a gamer who exclusively uses keyboard for driving sims, so now you want something that has a button for the throttle
  You envy the roll stability of a Reliant Robin and the compactness of the Peel P50
  /s
  
  Some crazy mofo near where I’m currently living still drives a Reliant that can only be described as a pick-up / ute type vehicle. I’m assuming it’s been modded by the owner because surely Reliant never built something that weird.
- Okay that is both slower and heavier than my motorcycle. Plus you can't lane filter in that thing.
That there is a 1980s Sinclair C5!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinclair_C5
- I came here to say this! Dead ringer
- Oddly enough I just read about that a few weeks ago
Fuck that, but further down the article -
https://insideevs.com/news/669928/fiat-topolino-resurrected-as-tiny-ev-is-rebadged-citroen-ami/
How adorable is that?!?!
- Hey, Aging Wheels did a video on that one, too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7tpbs-slcs
- I actually sat in one at the dealer and they are very.. spartan.
  
  It's designed for two things - to go as far as possible on one charge, and to look adorable
  Spartan is the feature, not the bug
- Super cute. Can double as a compact coffin once the 18 wheeler crushes it flat!
  
  They're city cars, not really meant for the open road
That looks awfully similar to the suicide booth https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-59577162
- Considering the trike nature of the, and I use this term very generously, vehicle and the poor steering mechanism that was on display in that video. This is indeed just that suicide booth with extra steps.
Twike 3 costing between $35,000 and $50,000 in Germany
that's a fcuking vélomobile, which are usually sold for 7k€
One wheel in front is a disaster waiting to happen.
- All trikes tend to be terrible at cornering, building them to lean can help but a reverse trike design might've been better IMO
- I know. Why don't they reverse it with the two wheels in front. much better stability.
These things are on the road here in The Netherlands for some time now. https://carver.earth/en/
Didn’t Sinclair have one of these in the 70s?
- I think it was the 80s, but yeah
I actually really like the idea of a car with pedals for exercise while driving. Even if the contribution is very marginal. I use the pedal assist on my ebike for that runners high so having a car that could do that on long trips would be really nice.
What problem is this trying to solve? Because I can give you 101 problems it creates over just riding a bike.
- What problem is this trying to solve?
  The issue of having too much money and not enough sense?
  
  Hell I can solve that for them without the hassle of having to own anything
Referring to torpedo brakes as "those found on children's bicycles" is pretty funny to me. They're not the standard, but pretty common on regular bikes here. Great for sliding stops 😄
That looks like it tips over easily.
- So what you're saying is, it's a very exciting ride?