Zoomi Life

Looking to build your own electric vehicle, but don’t want to convert a car (too expensive) and aren’t interested in just a bicycle?  Maybe the BugEV is what you’re after.  It’s small, covered, and has sit-down, 3-wheeled stability. Cool paint job too.

The BugEV is an DIY electric vehicle kit of about 75 parts that comes together to make a 3-wheeled single-seater car/bike.  The back is open while the front and top are mostly covered.  I’m not sure how well this would do in the rain, but it will definitely keep the bugs off anyway.

The kit is made by Blue Sky Designs, which designs bicycles for the Electrathon and other recumbent bicycle competitions. The company is based in Oregon with most of the BugEV’s parts (about 70%) made in the northwest.

The basic kit is $3,500 plus shipping, but to get a full kit with all the extras (including a motor), you’ll spend about $5,300 plus shipping.  Not bad, really, considering the design features of this one.

The bike’s maximum speed is about 50mph with a maximum range of 30 miles at 30mph average speeds.  It’s curb weight is 400 pounds with a payload weight (rider and all) limit of 200 pounds.  In most areas, the BugEV is considered a motorcycle or moped/scooter.  Headlights, tail lamps, horn, and so forth are included.

This is a nice kit for someone who wants to experiment with an electric vehicle, build a small commuter EV, or otherwise get into it without starting completely from scratch.  I suspect there will be those who Tim Allen the thing for better performance.  My first thought would be to replace the lead-acid batteries with something else, for instance.

Sources: BugEV