Mythbuster Jamie Hyneman helps develop electric Model One ATV
While four wheel all-terrain-vehicles are a great way to get around on farms and through undeveloped areas, they aren't exactly gentle on the environment. Along with potentially tearing up the ground, they tend to be loud and pollute a lot. Disregarding the first problem for the moment, Barefoot Motors has created the Model One ATV to at least the tackle the noise and emissions issues. Mythbuster Jamie Hyneman (he of the 'stache and beret) is on the advisory board working on prototype builds and product development. The company was founded by a pair of alumni from Zap!, Max Scheder-Bieschin and Melissa Brandão. Unlike their former company this one at least has a prototype for the their lithium battery-powered vehicle which you can see in the video after the jump. So far their is no info on pricing or availability.
[Source: Barefoot Motors, thanks to Domenick for the tip]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
andy 7:21AM (3/21/2008)
hi there! finally our EU electric atv is available in USA www. evufargo.com
ciao from italy
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zed 2:27PM (7/18/2008)
We just got a demo of this ATV at my friends ranch in Oregon. It was the prototype that still uses the Polaris transmission and doesn't have the battery life that the final version will have.
After an intro a bunch of us got to ride it and it was able to climb some pretty steep hills and went through the sprinklers in a field without electrocuting anyone :)
I'm hoping to get a try on the next version as this one was kind of sluggish. The Polaris is a pretty heavy bike and since they're still using the transmission rather than a direct drive the power took a while to come on -- like you can't just slam the throttle and get instant power like I'd expect from the next generation.
I think everyone thought it was pretty cool though. Also doing some math, on 100 amp hour batteries we figured it would cost only about a buck to charge (maybe even less). And you'd never need to change the oil. However, the price was pretty high -- I think the lady said around 15,000 but you get a 35% tax rebate so that helps quite a bit.
It sure is QUIET -- this version was a bit louder than the next gen due to the transmission noise. Thats about all you can hear besides the crackle of gravel by the tires. You could even talk on a cell phone while riding .. um.. maybe not so smart but you could.
One thing i'm interested in is a variable regenerative braking system. When you have a heavy load on a cart or whatnot going down hill I thought it would be very handy to be able to set the regen breaking to match the conditions.
That would let you descend a steep hill almost like being in gear in a regular manual four wheeler -- and it'd make power back into your batteries.
So anyway, nobody is quite ready to plop down 15 k but it was a good introduction.
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Karkus 3:31PM (11/06/2007)
Sounds like a reasonable EV application, since some (many?) of them are used for short range trips. The only problem is that the typical ATV buyer is not likely to pay extra for a quiet, clean ATV. Some like then noise.
And here's a thought - if you run out of juice, just puncture the battery in the back, and the thrust from the meltdown/explosion might just propel you home :-) (that's a joke, ICUMI)
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Mark Jones 12:26PM (11/07/2007)
Hunters may like it. Many outfitters are using modified ev golf carts now. They don't spook the wildlife.
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Tim 4:17PM (11/06/2007)
Here's a Swiss e-quad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4BH78RAcmQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoTpco3oqXM
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Domenick 7:22PM (11/06/2007)
@Tim: Actually, that's an Italian quad from Geo Quad. It's nice but it's only good for 25mph.
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ATV Style 4:43AM (11/07/2007)
Go Jamie! (and barefoot motors of course). I've been waiting for a viable, functional and fun alternative to the gas guzzling variety of ATV and this is great news! I'd love to do a full write up on my site http://www.atvstyle.com to give you additional free buzz when more info becomes available. You could say i'm a bit on an atv fanatic. Can't wait to hear updates!
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Matt 12:32PM (11/07/2007)
I'm with ATV Style on this one. It's about time! I wrote a post over at http://undermyhelmet.com, and contacted the company about setting up a test ride so I can do a full review for one of the magazines I write for.
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Tim 1:26PM (11/07/2007)
Domenick - Thanks for the heads-up. I wonder how this BEV will handle streams. It may be easier to seal the electrical system than it is to provide air/exhaust plumbing for an ICE. I know it’s crazy, but deep mud happens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAKiPbfiR7E
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geekmorgan 6:08PM (11/07/2007)
Its not necessarily a Zero Emissions Vehicle... More likely than not, it was charged up from a coal burning power plant, which just transfers the pollution to powerplant.
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melissa 1:49PM (11/08/2007)
Hello Auto Blog Green,
Thank you for the great blog post and the great words of encouragement from your readers. We ARE indeed very happy with what we have produced thus far and this is just a proof of concept vehicle. We are creating a product that at least is comparable to an conventional ATV--if you can set aside the awesome riding experience for a minute--and we expect to deliver something more than what you know an ATV to be. As far as ripping it up--this video was filmed on a bio-dynamic farm, we're all about doing green right.
Cheers,
Melissa
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sfrye 4:26PM (12/23/2007)
Hey Melissa according to your former emlpoyer you stole that technology and the whole idea from them. Any truth to that? I was also able to get the impression by only a few phone calls that you and Max Scheder got your own personal hay rolling sessions going on which was why you both left your previous jobs. Anyway I could care less about it but I may be able to help you with it. I have my own reasons. let me know.
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Warren Dodd 9:24AM (1/05/2008)
This is great news. Most ATVers own utility ATV's, not sport quads that make all the noise. Most I know are older trailriders that would love the quietness of using an electric ATV, since we really are just out enjoying nature. I am looking into converting an ATV to electric myself for quiet trailriding. I am glad to see someone is planning on making a commercial one. I think there will be a large market for this. Not just hunters.
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