Urban Transport

Arcimoto gets down to business with MUV electric three-wheeler

Arcimoto gets down to business with MUV electric three-wheeler
The Modular Utility Vehicle features "versatile bed configurations for various industries and applications"
The Modular Utility Vehicle features "versatile bed configurations for various industries and applications"
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The Modular Utility Vehicle features "versatile bed configurations for various industries and applications"
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The Modular Utility Vehicle features "versatile bed configurations for various industries and applications"
The base Modular Utility Vehicle features an open flat bed with a deck height of 28 inches, and can also be configured with a pickup bed package
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The base Modular Utility Vehicle features an open flat bed with a deck height of 28 inches, and can also be configured with a pickup bed package
The Modular Utility Vehicle can be optioned with a 25 cu ft cargo box
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The Modular Utility Vehicle can be optioned with a 25 cu ft cargo box
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Oregon-based e-mobility company Arcimoto has launched a versatile version of its electric three-wheeler that we first covered in 2015. The cargo-hauling MUV has been designed to "handle whatever task you throw its way."

Since the Fun Utility Vehicle zoomed from development into production, Arcimoto has released several special versions – including the Roadster, Rapid Responder and Deliverator. Like that last model, the new Modular Utility Vehicle (MUV) electric three-wheeler sacrifices the passenger seat for a rear cargo area but this time the platform can be adapted for such things as "food deliveries, supply runs, facilities maintenance, groundskeeping" and so on.

"The utility vehicle market represents a tremendous opportunity for Arcimoto and our new MUV underscores the company’s growth in the urban and industrial mobility segment," said the company's CEO, Chris Dawson. "Our customers are seeking highly versatile electric vehicles that are quiet, packed with performance and are reliable for their daily round-the-clock needs and we are delivering that today to customers who require sustainable and cost-effective utility vehicles to get the job done right. They also value the optionality to make the vehicles their own, depending on their needs, with interchangeable options and add-ons."

The Modular Utility Vehicle can be optioned with a 25 cu ft cargo box
The Modular Utility Vehicle can be optioned with a 25 cu ft cargo box

The MUV comes with three loadspace configurations to support light-to-medium-duty operations across delivery businesses, agriculture or landscaping, construction, e-commerce fulfillment centers and warehouses. The base Carrier configuration is priced at US$23,500, and has an open rear bed measuring 40.1 x 33.5 inches, a low deck height of 28 in (101.85 x 85 x 71.12 cm), and a maximum carry weight of 300 lb (136 kg).

For an extra $299, the Utility package brings a 39.2 x 31.9-in (99.5 x 81-cm) pickup bed to the party. And finally, the $1,500 Cargo flavor rolls with a 25 cubic feet (0.7 m3) box and can handle up to 240 lb (108 kg) of goods. Customers can opt for one, two or all three packages, with Arcimoto saying that conversion from one to another should take less than 10 minutes. The vehicle can also accommodate a bunch of add-ons such as "West Coast" half-doors, a seatback organizer and different seating options, as well as customer-owned gear.

The three-wheeler electric platform on which the MUV sits will be familiar to those who've been following the Arcimoto story, and features dual-motor front-wheel drive for a top speed of 75 mph (121 km/h), and an 18.1-kWh Li-ion battery for up to 102 miles (164 km) of city range, or 66 miles (106 km) at 55 mph (88.5 km/h), or 32 miles (51.5 km) at 70 mph (112.6 km/h). It features a Level 1/2 integrated charger, with a full top-up over a 120-V outlet taking around 12 hours or 3.5 hours at 240 volts using optional EV supply equipment.

The base Modular Utility Vehicle features an open flat bed with a deck height of 28 inches, and can also be configured with a pickup bed package
The base Modular Utility Vehicle features an open flat bed with a deck height of 28 inches, and can also be configured with a pickup bed package

The MUV rolls on three 15-inch wheels wrapped in 4.5-inch-wide ContiEcoContact EP tires to the front and 5.5-inchers to the rear, stopping power comes courtesy of hydraulic disc brakes, and there's dual A-arm suspension to the front plus a rear swingarm.

It has an overall length of 113 in (2.87 m), is 61 in (1.55 m) wide, and stands 65 in (1.65 m) high. Ground clearance is 5.5-in (14-cm), and the turning circle is given as 29-ft (8.8-m). The vehicle comes with a heated seat with a dual-shoulder/lap safety belt, and heated grips.

Product page: Arcimoto MUV

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8 comments
8 comments
Bob Flint
The CG & weight shifting over the single rear wheel could be a problem, any simulations run?
Chase
@Bob, I was thinking the same thing. One quick swerve with a little a little too much load in the back and you're sticky side up in the middle of the road.
paul314
There will totally be a sticker telling people to load heavy items on the bottom shelf.
Daishi
@Bob/Chase, I think the batteries being in the base of the platform will help the center of gravity. The items in the storage box are likely to weigh less than the battery. Depending on load it may not be much heavier than just having a person back there but if you loaded it with something really heavy (liquid for instance) you would probably feel it in handling.
jerryd
While ok for light loads, you really don't want to do over 200lbs and even that can cause one to drive easier or cause roll over. On a 3wheeler the variable load needs to be over the 2 wheel axle so a trike to add to stability, not subtract.
It would be better to move the driver back and put the cargo in front where the driver forward is to carry heavy things.
For the math look up Robert Q Riley website and under downloads.
freddotu
As an owner of an EV with two in front, one in back, I can attest that a quick swerve is a non-event. The two wheels in front provide nearly the same stability as a four-wheeler, especially when braking and turning. One can possibly get it up on two wheels, but it would be rapid acceleration and a quick swerve simultaneously. As noted in the comments, low batteries means low center of gravity. Mine corners as if on rails, unless I'm ripping through a sandy corner, then it would embarrass a drifting driver, at least until the sandy part vanishes. A tip is possible if the side angle is severe and the traction is good. The above description is also known as foolish operation.
pbethel
With a payload of 300 LBs for the flatbed and 240 LBs for the cargo box CG and weight shifting and stability probably isn't really much of an issue.
ljaques
I'll make a million dollars selling pairs of training wheels/anti-sway bars for the cargo models, to prevent rollovers.
That's a cool little monster, but a 4-wheel model would have been better.
If it's a quick and simple 10 minute swap, expect the theft of cargo modules to be rampant. If you see a guy hoofin' it down the road with a big cube on a hand truck, call it in!