Automotive

BugE – the DIY three-wheel electric vehicle

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The BugE is a faired electric three-wheeler that buyers purchase as a kit, then put together themselves
The BugE is a faired electric three-wheeler that buyers purchase as a kit, then put together themselves
View gallery - 16 images

Electric vehicles are beginning to spread onto the mass market, but one of the limiting factors in these early days is a high-cost compared to their gas-burning equivalents. Electric scooters and motorcycles are considerably cheaper, but not everyone is comfortable on two wheels, or likes being exposed to the elements. Here's an alternative type of EV that costs less than six thousand dollars, is stable on the road and will protect you from wind and rain. It's called the BugE, and there's just one catch to it – you have to put the thing together yourself.

The almost-fully-faired three-wheeler was invented by Mark Murphy, of Creswell, Oregon. In the past, he has worked as a designer on concept projects for companies such as GM, Chrysler and BMW. He has sold about 50 of his BugE kits to customers around the U.S. since 2007, and has now started exporting them to Japan and Europe. His design criteria was for "a simple, low cost personal mobility vehicle that could function in a four-season environment on city streets." If that philosophy sounds at all familiar, it might be because Murphy thinks of his vehicle as "a Model T for the 21st century."

The BugE is propelled by a 17 bhp DC series motor, which is powered by four M34 lead acid batteries that take around eight hours to recharge. It has a steel box chassis with a composite body, an acrylic Lucite canopy, and has an empty weight of about 350 lbs (159 kg). The vehicle's top speed is 50 mph (80 kph), with an approximate range of 30 miles (48 km) at 30 mph (48 kph) – Murphy noted that this can be expanded considerably if users swap in lithium batteries.

"The BugE is an entry level street legal EV suitable for errands, school or work commutes within the community," Murphy told Gizmag. "It needs no special infrastructure since it plugs into 110V outlets using the existing electrical grid... it offers basic stability, performance, wind and rain protection and capacity for local use at a price comparable to a Vespa motorcycle. Four BugE's can fit in one parking space."

Buyers can choose between three kit options, depending on how much they would like to tweak their vehicle with custom parts. For US$3,850, they'll get the parts necessary for a rolling chassis. An additional $325 will get them the lighting and controls, while the power train will cost an extra $1,412. It adds up to a total of US$5,587, plus shipping.

"By selling kits we can reduce the cost of the vehicle, allow for hobbyist experimentation and modification, and create a local build and sell opportunity without requiring a factory and the high start up costs," said Murphy.

"The BugE has huge potential and we are only scratching the surface."

View gallery - 16 images
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15 comments
3HullsRbest
Yes this is like 5 years old.... the only real one is for sale from a guy in Canada.
Neil Larkins
Since I\'m big into DIY, this is a good idea but it might not be quite as good a deal as stated. It is not clear if batteries come with it (likely not), so the final price could be $500-$1000 more, depending on what type of batteries are used and where they are obtained. Then there is the shipping cost but if picked up at the factory, some money could be saved there. All in all, still not too bad for what one gets.
Passive Lead
I would like one with a rowing machine inside so I could row down the street, get exercised and charge the battery. Pulling and steering on the same extendible stick. Two seater would be good too.
RideTHISbike.com
The look reminds me of a mid 1950\'s Messerschmidt 3 wheeler.
Will, the tink
If you want to see what one of these can do if pimped out, go look at Nap Pipen\'s 2008 Lithium BugE with a range of 124 miles which can be seen at http://www.evalbum.com/1810 He has since donated it to the Reynolds Alberta Museum and moved on to his next build called the Lithium Hawk. As a two-seater it is the next step up the evolutionary ladder and can be seen at http://www.nappepin.com/LithiumHawk.htm
Facebook User
Yes, 5 years old- well, we small companies take a while. Wonder if they have improved the wheels since the orriginal which had some off rim issues on cornering. The \"pimped\" version is getting pricey!! Messerschmidt has the advantage of being normal heigth, not being a crawl in. This means you can be seen easier and run over less easily. Tom, would you consider a treadmil drive instead of a rowing drive? I think they would be great since they can have a different floor pan and could be done without cranks that people in nice clothes might not want to use (when going out to the opera etc) arm power has more issues with steering at the same time, but i have seen it employed, online anyway.

walt
low kinetic human hybrid llc
Facebook User
Looked at the Lithium Hawk. Its a motorcycle and requires a license as such. The back seat is perilously close to the roll line ( front wheel to rear wheel) and rather high so there is a large coupling. I should enquire about rollover.
Михаил Финогенов
Definetly cheaper that regular car, though 2 seats is a mandatory option! Sure thing to get one of these as soon as two people can fit inside (i mean like two non-midegt adults, ok?). Beat\'em up, Mark!
yrag
Will, the tink, thanks for the links.
The LITHIUM HAWK look more like what I think most people in the market would want compared to the stock Bug-E. I would really like to see more and larger photos of the final chassis though. The sole shot on his site is TINY!
The thing is though, if Nap Pipen were to offer it up to consumers as kits or total packages, I\'m afraid they\'d be well over the price of an average car. No?
monkeybrains
I was hoping this would come in at around $500-1500 bananas. That\'s the price monkeys would pay around here. Can you add AC or heat? Banana dispenser?