Electric F3-E concept

[Don'tPanic]

Does anyone know if this is for real?

https://youtu.be/7Rkh6Vv3t-0

[ARtraveler]

Interesting concept. BRP came out with a "hybrid" version of the spyder several years ago. They got big bucks from the Canadian govt. to work on it. The hybrid was never marketed.

Maybe something different will happen with the F3e??? Price will be a big factor. Over $40K is where I am thinking such a product would be. ?????


Time will tell.

[Haze]

I believe I saw the electric concept model while at Valcort for Homecoming.
It was part of the tour in the engineering building.
Spent a bit of time talking to the engineers about the batteries and
hardware mounting. As I recall the machine was white with green lettering.

[DGoebel]

Yes the concept vehicle was real and realized the educational and engineering goals of the project. That doesn't mean BRP will build them for commercial sale.
There's an article online about it at
https://www.newswire.ca/news-release...583606551.html

I'm wondering why they didn't incorporate hub motors instead of keeping the existing belt drive with a single motor. Maybe we could all band together and ask Elon Musk and Tesla Motors to improve on the concept?

[PW2013STL]

I believe I saw the electric concept model while at Valcort for Homecoming.
It was part of the tour in the engineering building.
Spent a bit of time talking to the engineers about the batteries and
hardware mounting. As I recall the machine was white with green lettering.

I agree as I also talked to them about it. At this point the range on a charge is the limiting factor. I was told that if you hot rod it you will get about 17 miles on a charge, but if you take it slow and easy you can get up to 70 miles. Not a good selling point!

[Road-Kill]

Does anyone know if this is for real?

https://youtu.be/7Rkh6Vv3t-0

I know BRP was testing a steam engine Spyder.
I think they were going to heat the engine with coal but I'm not sure.
I'm going to transfer my stock options into coal to "cash in" if this goes through.

[Roadster Renovations]

Yes the concept vehicle was real and realized the educational and engineering goals of the project. That doesn't mean BRP will build them for commercial sale.
There's an article online about it at
https://www.newswire.ca/news-release...583606551.html

I'm wondering why they didn't incorporate hub motors instead of keeping the existing belt drive with a single motor. Maybe we could all band together and ask Elon Musk and Tesla Motors to improve on the concept?

Hub motors would be a great idea and could be designed to generate power back to the battery to aid in braking, making the distance between charges even further.

Regenerative braking.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regenerative_brake

[Motorcycledave]

The chances of me plunking down the money for it are around ZERO
here is why, unlike the Chevrolet VOLT it has no way to recharge it's
self.... lets say I want to hop on my new F3 E and go visit my Daughter
who lives in Studio City area of L.A. I am in San Francisco area of CA.
there is no way I can make it going down I-5 or Hwy 101 or even Hwy 99
there is no way to recharge unless you park it some place you can plug it in
the road side rest stops DO NOT have any recharging facilities so far,
maybe some day but until they have electrical filling stations everyplace
like gas & diesel I will hold off for a while....
For local use under 100 miles it's great.
Maybe they should check with
Elon Muskfor pointers on a better way to do this project.

[ARtraveler]

Right on Dave. I would like to see them spend their time and effort on a new gasoline engine and a RT re-design. As one of their more prolific customers (bought 5), they have not tweaked me since 2014. Nuff said.

[Chupaca]

It keeps the pea folks happy if you look like your going to do something for the environment...The only thing is it would be an expensive, yet rather fast, golf cart to run around town on...

[GaryTheBadger]

I totally support the effort for an all-electric F3 and I sincerely hope it's put into production before I'm too old to ride.
I tried to buy the one they had at the tenth anniversary event, regardless of price, but they declined.

[malibu_dan]

I totally support the effort for an all-electric F3

I'm a +1 Gary. I'd buy one. And keep my smoker for the cross country trips.

[chris56]

Are there any news about the F3E ??
maybe a new lightweight "E -Ryker" - Version for the nearer future ? (2021)

[grumpyoldretiredcop]

70 mile range at most? Nice for around town... but where I live, useless for any practical purpose, let alone touring. It's a long way between charging stations in my neck of the woods unless you're going down 95 or 93 to Vegas or out along 80, and even then who wants to camp out for hours in Tonopah while your Spyder charges, (with apologies to anyone who lives in Tonopah... we like to stay there on the way to Vegas, but by choice, not necessity!) and again in Beatty or Amargosa to make sure you'll reach Vegas?

I wouldn't mind seeing an all-electric Spyder when the infrastructure and battery range make it more practical for trips as opposed to around town. I can afford one Spyder but the luxury of having a "zip code" ride and a long-distance ride isn't in my pocketbook these days.

[ARtraveler]

RE: Chevy Volt: GM has killed that car. So much for the electric age for cars.

[grumpyoldretiredcop]

I've always wondered if quick-change battery cassettes or hybrids using small, fuel-efficient motors (ceramic turbines, perhaps) whose only function is to drive a generator for battery charging or directly powering the electric drive motors as needed might make a difference. Lacking that, I can't help but see an F3-E as a nice concept, but dead at the gate. It's pretty much the way I look at the state of hybrid/electric auto technology to date.

[Rattlebars]

Battery cassettes. à la pony express.

[billybovine]

RE: Chevy Volt: GM has killed that car. So much for the electric age for cars.

Yes they killed the Chevy Volt. Which is a plug in hybrid. Still has a gas engine for range. So not fully electric.

But they have not killed the Chevy Bolt. Which is all electric. Last I heard there is a 2 year waiting list to get one.