What's green, three-wheeled and can park by the blue signs?
Click on the image above for a gallery of BioTrike
Using fewer resources to get around isn't limited to any particular group of people. Heck, there are more 43 percent electric wheelchairs in the U.S. than electric vehicles (this statistic brought to you by the Department of Made Up statistics, but I hope my point is clear). If you often travel in a wheelchair but like the idea of an aerodynamic, biofuelled ride for your longer trips, check out the BioTrike-B3XH. Sure, all of the standard add-on equipment that helps the differently-abled (is that the right term these days?) drive an SUV would work just as well on the Volt or the Focus EV, but the BioTrike (the four-seat version, anyway) has been designed from the ground up to be accessible to people who use a wheelchair or are in other ways physically handicapped.
The BioTrike is a tadpole-style three-wheeled plug-in hybrid vehicle that burns diesel (or biodiesel, natch) in a Caterpillar-sourced engine. The builders claim that the range with a full tank and a full charge is somewhere between 700 and 900 miles. They don't give a lot of details on the powertrain, but do say that the BioTrike has a 50-mile electric-only range. Prices start at $23,999 for the two-seat version and rise to $35,999 for the four-seat, wheelchair-ready version. Options extra.
Gallery: BioTrike
[Source: BioTrike via HybridCars]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
gorr 11:51AM (2/01/2009)
Don't buy yet. This thing don't have wipers, heaters, air circulation and don't have flange on the front wheels so cannot be driven in wet conditions. This is good in summer in doing parking lot driving mainly. An eco-fueler at half the price is 20x better as a trike on the real roads with speed up to 100 mph.
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Chris M 5:20PM (2/01/2009)
Gorr, on the Product Details page on the Biotrike website, it states that their Biotrike is an all weather vehicle, and comes standard with climate controlled heat and air conditioning. Flanges aren't required for wet conditions, fenders aren't required either (but it would be better if they had them). Windshield wipers retract when not in use, and don't show in the photos.
Sounds like you were mouthing off without getting your facts straight. Again.
The Biotrike has three advantages over the "eco-fueler"
1. As a plug-in hybrid, the Biotrike can use cheap electricity for local driving.
2. For longer trips, it can use small amounts of readily available diesel or biodiesel. Many areas don't have the natural gas refilling facilities the eco-fueler needs.
3. The BioTrike was designed for inexpensive wheelchair accessibility, the eco-fueler wasn't. Gorr, do you have a grudge against wheelchair users?
BoomBoom 11:35AM (2/02/2009)
Gorr,
The eco-fueler is 20k. Since when is $20K half of $24k?
The eco-fueler, is certainly better looking. More of a Dick Tracy than a Flash Gordon. Since the eco-fueler is strictly CNG, it really doesn't seem like competition for the Bio-trike. (Other than both are goofy, niche market vehicles.)
jharlan 1:32PM (2/01/2009)
Closer to what the market wants, and would be good for urban environs, but still a narrow nitch vehicle. I would think a mass produced desirable vehicle could be priced a little lower. It does have the range, both E and with diesel assist that we're looking for.
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biotrike 9:03AM (2/09/2009)
Hi Everyone,
I am the designer and builder of the Biotrikes. I always appreciate good feedback. To give you an Idea, our lead Autocad tech is a quadrapolegic with an electric wheel chair. His "handicapped accessable van cost him $32,000.00 for the van and $34,000.00 to outfit it with the needed lifts, floor, modifications, etc. It was over $68,000.00 ang he gets 8 miles to the gallon!
As to the other comments, please read the site before you run off without the facts. The unit shown is the very first unit and is the prototype. Many refinements will be added as we state on the web site. Front fenders for example will always be standard but we left them off for TV shows like Good Morning America it is cool as an open wheeler. We want to thank Sebastian for this wonderfull article and seeking us out. Another important design aspect is that this is a reverse trike and the 2 front wheels keep the vehicle from roll over under turn and brake forces.
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scammer-killer 5:17PM (3/02/2009)
Are you doing any refinements to the fit-finish of the vehicle? I've seen videos of it in action and it looks flimsy and cobbled together. I'm very interested in buying one but I want to make sure the build quality will be on par with the price. Base model Apteras are the same price and look to have amazing build quality.
Leroy J. Essel 2:52AM (2/06/2009)
Can this vehicle accomodate someone who is 6'6" and weighs 250 llbs? I have been looking at the Aptera at $30,000 but to much money for me at this time. How fast can this vehicle travel? Does it fit a smaller 2nd passenger? Anyway I like to see the carmakers move in this direction. It will be hard to give up the space of a 96 Sedan DeVille Caddy, and our 86 LTC. It would it be great if they both could run on H2, bio fuel or some great new battery. I love the safety of 3,500 to 4,400 llbs driving on the freeway and city streets of Los Angeles, California. There are too many speeders and intoxicated drivers on the road to be driving in a light weight vehicle. I have a motorcycle license but I gave up the bike after to many close calls.
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