Urban Transport

AKO Trike aiming for over 300 km of electric range

AKO Trike aiming for over 300 km of electric range
A render showing what a series production AKO Trike is expected to look like
A render showing what a series production AKO Trike is expected to look like
View 11 Images
Work on the second AKO Trike prototype is well underway
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Work on the second AKO Trike prototype is well underway
The first AKO Trike prototype was tested in October 2019
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The first AKO Trike prototype was tested in October 2019
The AKO Trike features a patented tilting mechanism to the front
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The AKO Trike features a patented tilting mechanism to the front
The AKO Trike will have a per charge range of over 300 km
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The AKO Trike will have a per charge range of over 300 km
The proprietary tilting mechanism will see the AKO Trike lean into bends at up to 30 degrees
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The proprietary tilting mechanism will see the AKO Trike lean into bends at up to 30 degrees
Work on the second prototype of the AKO Trike is well underway
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Work on the second prototype of the AKO Trike is well underway
Prototype one being taken for a test ride in October 2019
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Prototype one being taken for a test ride in October 2019
The steering/tilting mechanism was developed in-house and is subject to an international patent
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The steering/tilting mechanism was developed in-house and is subject to an international patent
Most of the AKO development team with prototype one
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Most of the AKO development team with prototype one
At slow speeds, the AKO Trike will steer normally, but at higher speeds the tilting mechanism allows the vehicle to lean into the corners
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At slow speeds, the AKO Trike will steer normally, but at higher speeds the tilting mechanism allows the vehicle to lean into the corners
A render showing what a series production AKO Trike is expected to look like
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A render showing what a series production AKO Trike is expected to look like
View gallery - 11 images

Lithuanian startup AKO Trike has revealed its second electric three-wheeler prototype, along with renders of how the finished model is expected to look. As well as leaning into the curves, the two-person reverse trike will roll for more than 300 km (186 mi) on a single charge.

The five person AKO team has been working on the project for five years, built a bare-bones prototype and took it for a test ride in October of last year, and is now working on the second prototype – with the new motor testing having just been completed yesterday.

The proprietary tilting mechanism will see the AKO Trike lean into bends at up to 30 degrees
The proprietary tilting mechanism will see the AKO Trike lean into bends at up to 30 degrees

The electric reverse trike is eventually expected to enclose driver and passenger inside a futuristic-looking shell that will shield occupants from the elements while offering all-around visibility. The passenger will sit behind the driver, and there will be front and side airbags, four-point seat belts, and room for luggage/cargo. A patented mechanical tilting mechanism to the front will see the ride lean into the corners at up to 30 degrees.

"The steering-leaning mechanism is something we've developed ourselves and just submitted the international patent," AKO's Jurgis Lecas told us. "It is based on pure mechanics and allows the vehicle to lean by simply tilting the steering shaft and in cases of lower speeds you can simply rotate the steering wheel just like in any regular car and the vehicle will steer normally. It's pretty damn unique, I mean only seven people has ever driven such vehicle and one of them is me. It is like a spaceship. On wheels."

The 26-kWh battery pack is reported good for over 300 km per charge, and supports DC fast charging. Lecas shared with us that the vehicle's 140-kW motor could see a top speed of 240 km/h (150 mph) being achieved, but will likely be limited to something lower, and that peak torque will be around 600-700 Nm.

The trike will belong to the L5e category of vehicles, which means that you'll probably need a driver's licence to sit up front. And apart from a target weight of under 450 kg (992 lb), that's about all the details we have at the moment.

The steering/tilting mechanism was developed in-house and is subject to an international patent
The steering/tilting mechanism was developed in-house and is subject to an international patent

The first prototype was essentially just the e-trike platform and skeletal frame, and the second is still taking shape but will eventually serve as the main promotional vehicle for an equity crowdfunding campaign due to kick off in September or October.

While we wait for more information to be released, take a look at the early prototype in action in the video below.

AKO Trike Prototype Zero test-ride no. 23

Source: AKO Trike

View gallery - 11 images
7 comments
7 comments
Koolski
I've been waiting for a small, electric, inexpensive commuting vehicle for the US market for a long time. Usually the top speed is the problem. Maybe this is it?
byrneheart
I wonder if it will be available unfaired. The chassis only version looks like it might be more attractive to bikers
Simon Blake
Hopefully they have been following the challenges faced by Arcimoto (https://www.arcimoto.com). The journey from a good prototype to actual deliveries of a production vehicle has not been an easy one. Arcimoto seems close to achieving it which puts them well ahead of many other such vehicles.
T N Args
It won't be inexpensive. It is effectively an electric motortrike.
bkwanab
Is this not technically classified as a motorcycle? Therefore, won't drivers (riders?) need to have a motorcycle provision on the license? Further, won't they be required to wear a crash helmet in the states that require motocyclists to wear them? It's kewl. I want one. I do have a bike license but I wouldn't want to have to wear a crash helmet to drive(?) one.
ReservoirPup
Drop that silly music for the next vid, pls. Ditto max speed and such, millennials aren't dumbos. If Renault weren't sleeping on its hands, it would take note of the battery specs of this one (ok, 16 kWh is enough).
ReservoirPup
I meant Renault Twizy☺