Automotive

Morgan EV3: All-electric 3-wheeler weighs less than 500 kg, boasts 240-km range

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The car has a range of 150 miles, not that we'd expect anyone to be using it for long haul driving
The 3-wheeler's dramatic tail is unchanged for the EV3
Electric cars may be thoroughly modern, but the car's range dial has been given a retro makeover
With three asymmetrical headlamps, the 3-wheeler has a unique face
Those brass cooling ducts are another point of difference to the regular 3-wheeler
With 47 kW, the 3-wheeler will hit 100 km/h in 9 seconds
The car has a range of 150 miles, not that we'd expect anyone to be using it for long haul driving
We're big fans of the way the EV3 looks
Morgan has promised to hybridise the range by 2019
Power goes to the single rear wheel, and it only has to move less than 500 kg
View gallery - 9 images

Morgan is known for being a traditional car manufacturer, but that hasn't stopped it from looking to the future. Having promised a fully hybridized range by 2019, the boutique British brand has used the Geneva Motor Show to whip the covers off a fully electric version of its three-wheeler with a 241 km (150 mi) range.

Instead of the V-Twin motor attached to the front of the regular 3-Wheeler, the EV3 is powered by a 46 kW (62 hp) electric motor attached to the rear wheel. That's not a heap of power, but having one less wheel than regular car helps keep its weight down to under 500 kg (1102 lb).

That light weight means the low-power EV will hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 9 seconds, with a claimed range of 241 km (150 miles). The car's (trike's?) low kerb weight also means it only needs a 20 kWh liquid cooled battery to achieve these figures, as opposed to the minimum 75 kWh battery size Tesla needs to power a full sized, heavy family sedan.

The 3-wheeler's dramatic tail is unchanged for the EV3

As is traditional for Morgan, the EV3 is built around an ash wood frame. What isn't traditional is the asymmetrical layout of the three headlamps, which work in tandem with the brass battery cooling fins to give the EV a unique and, to our eyes at least, attractive face.

The EV3 is also packing something a bit more modern on top of the frame. The car's bonnet, tonneau cover and side pods are all made of carbon fiber in the United Kingdom, with the rest of the body panels shaped out of aluminum.

Add to that the unique sidepods on the flanks, plus an interior that combines a classic layout with beautiful materials, and the whole EV3 looks like a well thought out addition to the Morgan lineup.

Okay, it's not going to be giving Tesla or Rimac's engineers any sleepless night, but that's not really the point.

Morgan describes the vehicle shown in Geneva as a " final pre-production phase" car. It's expected to go into production later this year and "will be priced comparably to thepetrol 3 Wheeler," which starts at £31,000 (US$44,200).

You can check out the launch video below.

Source: Morgan

View gallery - 9 images
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10 comments
Daishi
People will complain that Morgan is too expensive and at ~$60k they mostly are but even if they released this at $200k it would still be the cheapest electric Y config trike that's actually in production. I hope to see Arcimoto SRK ($12k) actually hit production too but so many vehicles in the autocycle segment turn out to be vapoware that I'm sure it won't be easy.
rnmgizmag
Oh dear... at least with a petrol engine there was one redeeming feature.
Steve Jones
That looks great.
steveraxx
A few days ago, watched a YouTube, a Morgan trike which was built in 1931 was restored. Thus it was a nice thing to click on this one of my favorite emails, and see a story about an all electric Morgan.
One day my Father's Super-Eight will be mine. This will make an excellent addition, drama and excitement for even the short trip to the market.
Bully!
Martin Hone
Looks great, with the exception of the instrument panel and that 1940's Ford steering wheel. The 1920's 4-spoke would look much better ! Also would like to know more about the suspension. Looks like some rocker arrangement with inboard shock units. Nice and clean. And those front Firestone's would be interesting in the wet. I'm surprised how heavy it is given the physical size and the use of alloy and CF. I guess the motor and the batteries are pretty heavy.
BigGoofyGuy
I think that is a really nice design. I think it is cool and green since it is electric.
Milton
love it, love it, love it.
Don Duncan
Why does the video show a different car than the picture? Why is this one-seat light weight material 3-wheel motorcycle so heavy? So expensive? Why not give it the Tesla battery and triple/quadruple the range if it will only increase the price to $48K (10%)? Why would anyone pay so much for a toy that can only be played with in good weather?
sidmehta
Can't take my GF along? Thumbs down.
RalphPfeiffer
Got the feeling it might need some front mudguards