Since its initial launch five years ago, the T3 Motion's stand-up electric three-wheeler has been snapped up by law enforcement, security and military concerns in nearly 30 countries. Shoppers who have looked on with envy as Mall security whizzes past in pursuit of a shoplifter can now rest easy. T3 Motion is responding to what it describes as pent up customer demand and will launch a consumer version called the T3 Power Sport. It won't come with the frightening fire power of the T3 Non-Lethal Response Vehicle we featured back in October, but it will have a top speed of 12 mph, a range of up to 40 miles and will be available in a range of colors and custom paint job or logo options.
T3 Motion says that over 3,000 of its emission-free vehicles are currently being used by police departments, airport and university campus security personnel, municipalities and on military bases across the globe. Consumers, too, will soon be able to get in on the fun with the Q1 2012 release of the T3 Power Sport.
The consumer version benefits from the company's recently patented power management technology which allows users to hot-swap battery units, so one set can be on charge while the other powers the vehicle. There'll be a choice of two lithium polymer battery units - one set will be good for 25 miles (40 km) between charges and the other has a range of 40 miles (64 km). Recharge time is said to be less than three hours and the cost of operation is estimated at less than a penny per mile or "the equivalent of over 400 miles per gallon of gasoline."
The front-wheel drive brushless DC electric motor can pull the 53.5 x 36.75 x 53.3-inch (135 x 93 x 135 cm), 300 pound (136 kg) T3 Power Sport along at four different user-controlled speeds - either 5, 8, 10 or 12 mph (8, 12, 16 or 19 km/h). An LCD display keeps the rider - who stands on an elevated 9-inch (22.8 cm) platform - informed about speed settings, remaining charge and such like. The front wheel is a chunky 6-inches (15.2 cm) wide and 15 inches (38 cm) tall, while tri-blade aluminum rims with disc braking feature at the rear.
Manufactured in the U.S., the T3 Power Sport is classified as a motorized bicycle in most areas, and as such doesn't require any permits or insurance (although it's always wise to check before purchase). It features energy-efficient, high intensity, tilt-adjust LED lighting to the front and brake lights to the rear, and benefits from a very tight turning circle.
The T3 Power Sport can support up to 450 pounds (204 kg) of rider/equipment, and there's a weatherproof and lockable onboard storage compartment, with extra storage racks and trailers available as extras. Other options include an iPad/iPhone docking station and GPS/camera units.
Hopefully the T3 Power Sport will not go the way of the Segway when it's made available next year. Prices start at US$8,900.
