LA Auto Show: Eco-Fueler's CNG-powered American Roadster in production
Officials from Eco-Fueler told AutoblogGreen at the LA Auto Show that the company's CNG-powered American Roadster 3-wheeler is now in production and the first units will be delivered to customers in mid-January. The production facility is in Eugene, Oregon, and more than 700 pre-orders have been accepted by Eco-Fueler. While the American Roadster has been marketed as a vehicle that runs on compressed natural gas, it can easily burn hydrogen. "In reality, this is the first production hydrogen vehicle in the world," said the vehicle's chief designer, John Green. "Whenever there is a large supply of hydrogen available, it can switch to hydrogen mode in no time."
Cost is just under $20,000 and the Roadster is eligible for a $4,000 federal tax credit. The retail price includes a home-refueling appliance that operates on the principle of slow-moving hydraulics. Other home-based refuelers have high-speed valves that are electrically operated. Jerry Hendricks, company CEO, says the hydraulic refueler doesn't build up heat and hardly needs maintenance. The refueler fills up the 5-gallon tank in the trunk of the Roadster. It feeds a water-cooled,4-cylinder Boxer-style engine that is designed to run on CNG. In other words, it's not a gas engine converted to run on CNG. It features a higher compression ratio and plumbing dedicated to compressed natural gas. Range on one tank of fuel is about 700 miles.
Follow the break for more photos.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Marcus 1:48PM (12/01/2006)
Just curious - any idea why this wasn't built as a four-wheeler? I'm sure it is pretty stable as-is but it would make those who worry too much, like myself, more at ease... I don't imagine it would add too much weight, although I have no idea. I like the 1x2 seating arrangement though. The web site is pretty sparse on any actual specs too.
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Bruce Spain 3:57PM (11/14/2008)
a three wheeled car is considered a motorcycle. This means several things, cheaper on insurance, you can drive in the carpool lane anytime and it remove a huge amount of "car regulations" issued from the Federal Government. For example, if you have a car you must have air bags, you do not on a motorcycle.
Cheaper to produce, cheaper to sell. Remember you get the compressor when you buy this car. Should you want to drive it from coast to coast you can you fill up at CNG stations. Where are these stations? Just google you would be surprised, they are all over>
Bruce
Craig 3:29PM (12/01/2006)
If you make it a 4-wheeler, then it falls into the class of an automobile, and that adds tons of safety and other regulations.
With three wheels, it's essentially a motorcycle - much less regulated. There are probably no safety requirements, so I would heat to get in a crash with that thing.
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Mike Magda 3:43PM (12/01/2006)
The Roadster is a 3-wheeler so it can be classified as a motorcycle. If it had four wheels, it would be classified as a car and would have to undergo expensive safety testing required by the federal government.
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Marcus 8:00PM (12/01/2006)
Thanks for the update. Any sense of how much it weighs, the engine displacement, and the transmission?
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George Krpan 8:51PM (12/01/2006)
The Messerschmitt returns.
http://www.microcarmuseum.com/tour/messerschmitt-kr200-1957-8.html
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cheezedog420 6:04PM (12/02/2006)
It's a intresting Idea, but I don't like the fact the 2 wheels are in back, instead of being forward. I would assume that it be much more stable for road travel to have the wheels in the forward section...
Then again, if they from the on set went out to design a cycle, it probably would not have the range, or capablity it does have.
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Mark 1:02AM (1/21/2007)
The American Roadster is a rear engine vehicle ,air cooled ,boxer 4,cng ,14 to 1 comp ratio pistons,weighing less than 1650 lbs. approx 120 inch wheelbase ,74 inches wide in the rear. more on ecocar4u.com
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