ZEV Electric Tilting Trike

ZEV Electric Tilting Trike

A report on the website newatlas.com features a new 3-wheeled tilter. ZEV, a West Virginia company, has been building electric scooters for more than a decade. Their LRC-15 is the current distance and speed champion, logging 185 miles at a constant 55 mph on a 12.4 kilowatt-hour battery. The LRC-T15 tilting trike is based on the same platform. By comparison, the BMW C-Evolution, with a similar battery size, has a range of 100 miles. The added weight and aerodynamic loss of the three-wheeler puts the range at about 125 miles. Charging time is 4.5 hours at 110 volts, or 3.5 at 220.

The trike’s motor is in the oil-cooled rear hub. The low seat height and all hand controls were designed for ease of operation by the elderly and disabled riders. The tilt feature can be locked at stops with a thumb lever, and must be unlocked manually once underway. Copious storage space is available under the seat, and the trike has both a side and centerstand. The T15 has a reverse gear, and weighs 516 pounds.

The ZEV appears to be larger overall than the popular Piaggio MP3, with a wider front track.The T15 is priced at $13,990. The company also offers a shorter-range model, the T6, with about 60% of the former’s range, at $9,900. For more information, go to zelectricvehicle.com.