Unusual concept, unusual look
As unusual as the concept is, so too is the appearance of the three-wheeled electric vehicle: the TWIKE 5 is reminiscent of a mixture of a recumbent bike and an automobile from the distant future and can therefore be described as quite spectacular.
The figures communicated by the manufacturer are astonishing: the electric vehicle with three wheels should be able to reach speeds of up to 190 km/h and, with the largest battery, a 30 kWh battery storage unit, have a range of up to 500 kilometers. Although a few euros are currently still missing from the financing, if everything works out, series production of the small series of the recumbent bike with electric assistance, initially limited to 500 units, should start in spring 2020.
Continuation of a success story
The TWIKE 5 is intended to seamlessly build on the success of the TWIKE 3, which has been on the market since 1995. The fact that almost 700 reservations have been received for the three-wheeled electric vehicle so far and that the company is close to reaching its funding target of two million euros shows that this can certainly be achieved.
The company responsible for the TWIKE 5 is FINE Mobile GmbH from Rosenthal, which acquired the rights to the recumbent bike with electric motor originally developed in Switzerland in 2002. Then, as now, the name is a mix of bike and twin, i.e. a covered bicycle that can be used by two people at the same time.
Charging through muscle power
Stepping on the pedals, which come as standard on the driver’s side and can be ordered as an option for the passenger side, not only contributes to your own fitness. The energy generated by pure muscle power also charges the battery. Speaking of which: the electric tricycle should weigh 500 kilograms with battery (without battery: 380 kg). An extra 250 kilograms are then permitted as a payload. The luggage compartment in the rear can hold 300 liters and there should even be space for a pair of skis. The TWIKE 5 does not have a steering wheel. Instead, the new “sidesticks” are used to steer to the left and right of the rider.
Various battery versions planned
The drive is based on an electric motor that delivers a nominal 15 kW and up to 70 kW at peak power. Thanks to this trick, the vehicle falls into the European registration category L5e (no power limit) and a simple A1 moped driver’s license is sufficient to ride it. Four battery versions are planned. The basic version will be equipped with a 15 kWh battery that enables speeds of up to 120 km/h and supplies electricity for a range of between 150 and 250 kilometers. The next larger versions have a storage capacity of 20 or 25 kWh, can travel up to 330 or 415 kilometers and can reach speeds of up to 140 or 155 km/h. In the top version, which costs around 50,000 euros, a 30 kWh battery is installed, which should enable up to 500 kilometers of purely electric driving pleasure. At the start, the top speed will initially be limited to 165 km/h. However, thanks to a specially developed chassis and improved aerodynamics, it will later be possible to unlock a top speed of 190 km/h if the driver can demonstrate appropriate driving experience and driving safety. The manufacturer claims a reduction in power consumption of 8 kWh per 100 km compared to the predecessor model. According to the WLTP cycle valid for conventional cars, it is only around 6.5 kWh per 100 km.
Source: hella.com
