Automotive

Morgan electrifies the 3 Wheeler

View 12 Images
The new EV3 is under development at Morgan
Morgan believes the EV3 can deliver 150 miles (241 km) of range
Morgan drops the 2.0-liter V-twin for a rear electric motor
Morgan estimates a four-hour charging time
The EV3 is clearly distinguished by graphics around its body
The EV3 prototype made a debut at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed last month
Morgan EV3 prototype at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Morgan EV3 prototype at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed
The new EV3 is under development at Morgan
Morgan plans to move forward with phase 2 of the EV3's development
Morgan hopes to ready the EV3 for market by next year
Morgan EV3 prototype at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Morgan EV3 prototype at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed
View gallery - 12 images

Looking for a cleaner three-wheeler to commute with but not up to pedaling your own way? Around the same time we were translating Russian to bring you the story of the Ekomobil, Morgan was revealing its second all-electric roadster at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Morgan re-powers its classically styled 3 Wheeler with a battery pack and electric drive to create the EV3. The new prototype utilizes the 3 Wheeler platform's lightweight construction for a peppy all-electric ride and range of 150 miles (241 km).

The EV3 prototype is the second all-electric Morgan, following the Plus E revealed at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. That model was based on its rollercoaster-fendered Plus 8. Gizmag founder Mike Hanlon called it the most appealing electric car he'd ever seen, and even three years later, it's hard to disagree with the general sentiment that its blend of retro styling and five-speed electric powertrain made for one of the most intriguing electric car designs, then or now.

As cool as it was, the Plus E never made it to production. That's okay, though, because Morgan seems more determined to bring its second electric design to customers. It hopes to put the all-new EV3 into production by the end of 2016 after a full testing and development program.

The Plus 8 provided an excellent statement vehicle for Morgan's first experimentation with electric power, but the 3 Wheeler seems a better platform for an electric powertrain. At 1,157 lb (525 kg), the gasoline-powered 3 Wheeler weighs well under half the 2,690-lb (1,220-kg) Plus 8, and that low weight is sure to be an advantage when trying to eke every mile out of a modest battery pack. The estimated 150-mile (241-km) range isn't quite Tesla or Audi e-tron territory, but it is well more than the average Leaf or Spark EV.

Driving the EV3 is a 101-bhp (75-kW) motor at the rear wheel. Most vehicles gain weight when adding battery cells and electric motors in place of ICE-based powertrains, but the EV3 manages to drop a few pounds. Morgan says that it weighs in at 1,047 lb (475 kg), which is 110 lb (50 kg) less than the dry weight of the standard 82-bhp V-twin 3 Wheeler. The company has not revealed the identity of the lightweight battery that helps that weight stay down, but it says that it will take about four hours to charge.

Morgan hopes to ready the EV3 for market by next year

The EV3 loses the aggressive V-twin face of the standard 3 Wheeler, replaced with a more traditional grille. It also has EV3 decals all over to distinguish itself.

It's too early to nail down a price, but Morgan says that it's aiming to keep EV3 pricing in line with the gasoline 3 Wheeler, which starts at £25,950 (approx. US$40,000) in standard trim and £28,333 ($43,750) for the Superdry model.

Source: Morgan

View gallery - 12 images
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Flipboard
  • LinkedIn
10 comments
Steve Jones
That price / weight / range? Sounds too good to be true!
Charles Slavens
With the exception of going out for a spin in a cute car I can find absolutely no use for this vehicle.
joe-ev
75 Kw and 475 Kg! WOW That is twice the power and half the mass of my ImiEV electric car. And the Miepster is nippy due to the high and instant torque that all electric cars have. The Morgan will snap your head back each time you boot it! And it is cute, excentric and a roadster. I want one!
Bruce H. Anderson
Would it be sacrilege to hope for a removable hardtop?
Catweazle
I used to have a 1933 competition model with a Brooklands chassis and a KTOR 1100cc JAP V-twin.
Probably the most dangerous, evil-natured vehicle I ever drove in my life - and that's saying something!
Wish I still had it though!
dugnology
This is awesome! Just drop the stupid radiator and put a bullet nose on it. Where do I sign.
VoiceofReason
40- to 43 thousand? Um....no. There isn't 40K worth of equipment in there. I'd like one, but not at that price.
michael_dowling
Steve: This is a bit off topic,but there was a super streamlined car called the Aptera (three wheeled) that would have given the EV3 a real run for it's money.Sadly,the start-up building it ran out of dough:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZt2t44IPnY
bergamot69
@Charles Slavens,
The Morgan 3-wheeler isn't intended to be a 'useful' car- it is simply a very pure fun vehicle- with very little technology to get in between the driver and the driving experience. I'd love one for high days and holidays- with something comfortable and reliable as a daily driver.
You either 'get' the Morgan philosophy or you don't. And for those that don't there is always a Mazda MX5. I'd have a Morgan in a heartbeat- a uniquely British car from a uniquely English marque.
Bruce Miller
Must be a riot to drive on country roads! Are we in fact looking at the real future of electric cars here? Extremely light weight, very small and very practical for connecting homes with public transportation?