How much range do you need from a Toad?

[Rickinnocal]

Hi, everyone.

I'm looking at a Kickstarter for a three wheel electric car concept.

The first thing that leapt to mind was "Perfect Toad!"

The vehicle is a two seater, has a top speed of around 60 mph, but only around 150 mile range. It can be towed flat, and I believe some merely software tweaks to the regenerative braking would allow it to be charged while towing.

The designers hadn't even thought of the RV market - they are thinking of it as an in-town shopping / errand runner.

Planned retail is at $9,999.

How many people would be happy with 150 mile range from your toad? It would suit me - I use a car from the campgrounds to nearby restaurant or tourist sites.

Richard

[jenandjon]

That should suffice. Could replace the smart cars you see on a lot of the HDT's

[nothermark]

Get it up to 500 miles and we might be interested. We tend to base camp with the MH and use the towed for day trips. 200 miles out, poke around, come back is real. 100 out, poke around, come back is common. Also want power for heat or A/C as needed.

[EdInArk]

Originally Posted by nothermark

Get it up to 500 miles and we might be interested. We tend to base camp with the MH and use the towed for day trips. 200 miles out, poke around, come back is real. 100 out, poke around, come back is common. Also want power for heat or A/C as needed.

That's us. We towed to Nova Scotia last year and spent the day doing tourist stuff in the car. A couple of days were in the 300-mile range. 150 miles would be OK most of the time but not all the time.

[momdoc]

Would need to be 250-300 min range before i would take a look

[Hugmongous]

so, they haven't considered the RV market but it can be flat towed? I'm not aware of any other electric that can be flat towed at present. Cost of $10k?.. you can't even get a high end golf cart for that. I hate to be skeptical,.. but I'm a realist.

[Spdracr39]

The battery pack will cost almost half that. Unrealistic cost estimate. You will also have to meet all the safety regulations for it to be licensed. at 10K it ain't gonna happen.

[Rickinnocal]

Thanks for the answers, everyone.

Here is their website... https://www.amperemotor.com

[Clomok]

Originally Posted by Rickinnocal

Thanks for the answers, everyone.

Here is their website... https://www.amperemotor.com

It’s cool and sporty, but not very practical

[Carefree]

I saw the guy behind this concept on "Shark Tank". He tried to get financing for his brief case scooter and also introduced the 3-wheel roadster. Nobody was willing to cut a deal with him - for good reasons. He was all over the place and his vision was pretty unrealistic. As others have said, 10K won't be enough to get this roadster on the road.

[EdInArk]

Originally Posted by Rickinnocal

Thanks for the answers, everyone.

Here is their website... https://www.amperemotor.com

That's a 3-wheeler and would be licensed as a motorcycle in most states. So it doesn't have to meet all the safety regs a car does.

[04fxsts]

I agree it would mostly be considered and registered as a motorcycle so that would make it easier to make it road legal. what would bother me the most about flat tow is the lack of ground clearance which would also be problematic in some campgrounds I have been in. Jim.

[Sweetbriar]

Off hand a couple of potential show stoppers.

1. No Doors. Keep in mind your potential demographic target. The average age of a class A owner is 40+. Climbing over the side of the car where the door should be might not work out real well for everyone.

2. Storage. The toad is more than just sightseeing means of transport. Does it have a truck? Is there enough room for two adults and a week or so of groceries?

3. What happens when the weather is something other than 72 degrees and sunshine? As an open seat roadster it's something that needs to be considered.

4. Coast to coast service availability. The warranty thing will come up. Having to drive the coach 100 miles to an authorized chassis service center generates complaints.

Since may of us are still working a vehicle has to be both towable and usable for commuting and other functions year round. An open seat roadster might work well in So-Cal but for 75% of the country not so much. Besides the change of seasons and cold temps for at least 1/3 or more of the year and there can be days when it rains which makes this a no go as a work commuting vehicle.

As a kickstarter concept targeting RV owners makes for a very, very small potential buyer group when compared to the general public. Plus you must also consider the age demographic along with seasonal usage limitations that will be working against potential sales. I'm older, more financially secure and really enjoy climate control, noise and vibration damping, roof, windows, doors and other such amities my Accord provides.

[CWSWine]

xxxx