The future of city transport? A LEANING 3-wheeled microcar | Carver EV first drive
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- Опубліковано 26 чер 2024
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Is it a car? Is it a motorbike? Is it a scooter? Whatever it is - we like it, a lot!
This 3-wheeled fully electric Carver microcar is clever, comfortable and, most of all, amazingly good fun. The narrow design, with a lean ability that's out of this world (up to 40 degrees of lean) make this the perfect emission free city vehicle. Could this be the future of urban travel? One things for sure, it will certainly put a smile on your face.
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#ElectricVehicles #EVs #ElectricCars #Carver #ElectricScooters #ElectricMotorbikes #CarverMicroCar #CarverElectric #CarverEV #UrbanEVs #UrbanMobility #ElectricBikes #CleanEnergy #ZeroEmissions - Наука та технологія
Fancy trying the CARVER for yourself? Head to Fully Charged OUTSIDE this weekend
TICKETS: fullycharged.show/events/fully-charged-live-2021/
This looks amazing, many so similar to the reasons I got my eCargo bike. The ultimate school run, let's hope we get many more options like this.
Certainly is a vision of a possible future, and a logical enclosed progression from an ebike...
They could get more efficiency and speed by adding a nosecone to enclose the front wheel, and tapering the rear to avoid a partial vacuum behind it - nature has already worked out steamlining, so look at tuna and dolphins for inspiration.
Still needs more power, a bigger battery and 80mph top speed. A 4 seater inline stretched version would be interesting too.
Looks like the one you test drove doesn't have a UK plate. What is the Carver registered as in UK? I understand we don't have ENV (enclosed narrow vehicle).
The van variant actually makes a lot of sense, as a nippy little urban delivery vehicle. For couriers, pizza delivery, etc.. That sort of thing.
As it's a "best of both worlds" solution, between a motorbike and a van. The agility of a bike, but closer to the comfort and safety of a car, with the carry capacity of a (small) van at the back. Paint the company logo on the back.
It needs a higher top speed, though. Part of agility isn't just weaving through small gaps, it also involves a bit of over-taking. I'm not thinking any silly top speed there, but just something that ensures you can keep up and over-take in standard urban traffic. A little boost of speed, for when you have to nip past other vehicles.
Indeed, I'd double-down on that use case. It's undoubtedly a lot of fun for everyone else, but for small urban deliveries - packages, pizzas, etc. - it's the ideal compromise. Or would be, if it drops the "scooter" mentality and gains a bit of top speed because keeping up with traffic and over-taking it needs that extra boost of speed here and there, I feel.
(And, as Robert's guest discussed on a recent Fully Charged Plus, the real way to get these things off the ground is actually to target companies and their "fleets". A city courier company or local food delivery company getting a fleet of these things - with the company logo on the back - zooming around. The agility of a bike delivery, but the comfort and closer to the carry capacity of a car. Maybe have variants where the back "van" section could have some basic refrigeration / keep food warm stuff too - though that would require, I'm sure, a bigger battery.)
Wait till you guys get to see the new leaning Arcimoto...
My jaw literally dropped when I saw a SECOND person fit inside this!
Always loved the Carver. Loved it, and I get this one is a city cruiser, but 27mph is just a bit too slow for toddling from town to town, which I'd love to use it for. If they could offer a variant with a 45/50mph top speed, I'd absolutely love that.
That might have more to do with the fact that it requires a scooter license. So max speed has to be low. I wonder how the electric version compares to the 50cc scooter?
@@davidlazarus67 I think as its 3 wheels you can drive it on a car licence, well I know you can with those 3 wheeled motorbikes.
@@markreed9853 I do hope so, but it’s not clear. The website has information for Netherlands, which is a scooter license.
@@davidlazarus67In the US you can get scooters with enough power to do 50mph+. But they may or may not be "legal" for freeway use, depending on state.
In California "any scooter with 150cc of displacement or more is legally classified as a “motorcycle” and all motorcycles are freeway legal (see California vehicle code section 400). Any scooter with less than 150cc of displacement is not freeway legal, therefore, even though you still need a motorcycle license to ride a scooter in this class."
27 mph? Needs 35 even to pootle around London if you can't use a bike lane.
Got my S+ last Friday! Top speed 83 km/h, or 52 mph. This is SOOO cool!
Have been a Carver fun since they introduced the original. I blame my father for that who showed it to me.
Now as soon as i saw this i jumped off my chair and shouted “dad the carver is back and is electric”. We watched this together. Awesome.
Me too! Unfortunately this electric version is too slow. Imagine that I have a scooter Honda PCX150 that even with its claimed 65mi/h top speed it gets pretty inefficient in certain downtown streets. The new 28mi/h electric Carver will have cars streaking by leaving us a feeling of danger and impotence. The old model was another story!
I own a Carver myself! My life changed! It's amazing. I was always stressed on the road, now I'm completely ZEN and always looking forward to d rive in it. Such FUN! And...so practical. Doing shoppings in front of the supermarket, unpack in front of my door. I just LOVE my CARVER😍
Good to hear! I just ordered the tangerine one with 50mph!😊
This channel is so underrated. Production quality is amazing, content is brilliant.
There are over 822,000 subscribers to this channel so far! (September 2021). That doesn't sound like an underrated channel. The only problem why there are not millions of subscribers is that EVs and electric stuff which this channel exclusively produce are just not yet popular subjects. If this channel was into supercars and hypercars with this level of production quality, they would be rivalling, or even exceeding UA-camrs like Shmee, JWW etc
I really want the cargo version, in yellow with Trotter's Independent Traders on the side.
Cushtee!
He who dares, wins! Eh?
I think original reliant would be better
And a blow up doll (or two), in the back!
The cargo was not very smartly designed. Imagine fragile and/or heavy stuff leaning from side to side...
Like the cargo version. Makes sense for small deliveries & no peddling!
Perfect for food deliveries but unfortunately stupid outdated motoring laws get 💯 in the way for busy city centre use.
@@ricbrook7059 Those can be changed and smart local councils are doing just that.
@@dr-k1667 local councils have zero control over UK Traffic laws.
A McDonald's drink (especially hot drinks) wouldn't survive that lean angle unfortunately but for other (sensibly packaged drinks and food) the cargo option does look good.
All its good for is fast food delivery if that , it can't go where a push bike can
Good to see Carver still existing all over these years. I wish I could buy one just for fun. But of course, buying for fun means having money to joke around, too.
That would be so much fun. Great to see they reinvented it.
They need a “Carver” race series with modified “Carver” Sports!
Then they should go for the original design but electric.
They should create a motorcycle version with only to wheels and tons of downforce.
I think a 10Kwh version that can do 50mph would open it up to a huge range of use cases.
you'd need a much bigger battery, which would reduce the usable space.
ako trike is another upscale option of much the same concept. Very cool stuff.
You'd need motors approaching 8x times more powerful because of the cubic relationship of pushing air out the way for double the speed.
A 10kWh battery for the same 50 mile range would allow for 41% more speed if its motors could could handle 2.8x the power.
@@briannugent5518 Nice comment.
Yes mostly the latest update is 50 mph (80 kph) . Perfect for a commute but not great on motorways . Been overtaken by a lorry doing 56 mph to your 50 is not fun or safe. I would love a hybrid version, with 125 cc motorcycle motor and electric motor, so can do 65-70 mph.
as a fan of Arcimoto its superb to see that there are more brands and models coming to the market. I would love one of these. So often in the car on my own, one of these would be perfect. And take / away pizza delivery ? again a perfect fit. Love it!
New Arcimoto owner here: Hopefully in a year or so, Arcimoto will add leaning to their products. The Carver is great for England, but the Arcimoto FUV is built for America. Regardless the steering is neither left or right.
Arcimoto is pretty cool 😎, have you seen the Aptera 250 mile base range ....up to 1000 mile range battery, 2 seater $25k
I fell in love with this thing years ago, now it's an EV i love it even more
Great to see that Carver is already expanding to the UK. I'm really hoping that this time round they do make it.
Looks incredible, worthy of the qualitEV review.
Congratulations to Carver's persistent inventors. Even telephones took decades to become popular. Caver: it's your time now, nobody stops you.
I can see this car starring in a quirky fun European movie, it has the charm many of those jalopy's of old.
Absolutely ideal for the city and looks great fun
This is the smartest, funniest, most appropriate, technologically advanced vehicle since the wheel was invented.
Fantastic little vehicle and also, a superb presentation !
Congrats Fully Charged Team 👍😃
The mindset of look at me and my massive car & house seems more & more old fashioned day by day by day :)
I've wanted a Carver since I saw it on Top Gear when I was just a kid. I'm so glad they're doing an electric version, because that's a no brainer.
If the side windows would roll-down, or have half the window fold down, that would be perfect as it would give a feeling of being 'open' to the outside on hot humid days.
Roof down not enough?
At 11:50 he has his arm on the window sill, so the windows must come down or be removable.
When will this be available in the US?
you can't roll them down but you can remove them completely.
That's a really neat city option. The Carver reminds me of Arcimoto FUV here in the States, just with the ability to lean. The FUV is a little taller and just under twice as wide, but the body shape and length are similar, plus both get the common description of being "fun to drive".
That's the problem though, the FUV can't lean. The SOLO is better than the FUV if you want cabin protection, but the SOLO needs more refinement.
Great presentation again Jack. 30mph OK for London, but not for most of us.
Love it.....much better then a motorcycle!!!!
What a great little machine. I'm very much heartened to see the Carver finally getting the potential it has deserved for so many years. Still looks fresh too.
Now, the only thing it needs is a little more speed. Given that you can get a Vespa that does 80mph, there's no reason why you couldn't give this thing a 10kW motor and a top speed of 60 or more, whilst still being way safer than an open scooter. I'd buy one in an instant if this was the case. Hopefully they think the same and give it a bit of a boost.
There were plans for a version with a 12 kWh battery pack and the ability to reach 105 mph in sports mode back in 2014, you can find it presented as the Lynx e Carver or Lynx Lean electric, if you search for it. It was a more expensive option but no doubt a more useful one as well. Sadly lack of investment killed the project just before it was to go into production.
@@justjc51 That's what I'm talking about!!
It's like a slower FUV or SOLO. But it has tilt.
I think in the coming years Vandenbrink will sell their patents to other car companies so they can allow to make their version of the Carver so the market can finally thrive..
A great little piece, thanks Jack and Bobby Llew!
Never in the history of motoring has something so small led to smiles so big.
as soon as pops hopped in the car, the good vibes started.
That in a cargo version is a brilliant idea. All those inner city courier type jobs that need doing. It would be perfect.
Not that brilliant if you carry heavy and/or fragile stuff
What an awesome little car, if only it went a bit faster, I would love to have one. But since I live in The Cowboy Capital of the World, and every bigger city is at least 30 minutes away. And the speed limit is between 55 and 70 mph, if the Carver went at least 60 mph, I could live with that. But since they're more than likely not available in the US, I'll just have to wait until the Arcimoto finally finds it's way to Texas.
I would buy one the moment it was available if it could go 60mph. It is the perfect little transport for my needs.
You do not want this to drive 60mph, absolute death trap at that speed
@@Lewis_Standing the ICE variant could do 110+mph!
@@Lewis_Standing And that claim is based on what?
Great idea. What I would like to see is something that could possibly be folded up, like those e-bikes, so it can be brought inside my office building and voilá! No more parking hassles.
Stumbled across this after the fact and I loudly exclaimed to the office "Is someone bringing the carver back?!" I've been wanting one since I first saw one in 2006. Thanks for the video.
It's an e-bike with a cover.
More a covered e-scooter, as you don't have to peddle
Thank you for covering this! It is surely more appropriate for cities than a Cringe Rover!
O YES so glad this company is still going .just brilliant.
6:30 --Now _that_ was a satisfying thunk!
What a lovely car, keep your fancy Teslas and Mach-Es this is much more fun. Great video made me smile.
5.5 kW-h? Really? 60 miles out of that is about 90 watt-hours per mile, that is HUGE.
So at 30mph the motor is taking 2.7kW if it’s using 90W.h/mile.
At, say, 90% efficiency that’s about 3.3 bhp.
Given its size and performance that sounds do-able, to me.
I keep forgetting it tops out at 30mph.
Great video and review! Well done and thank you for sharing. Keep up the great work 👍
The Sinclair C5 reinvented.... I love it 😁👍
Safety of a car? I want to see their faces when Carver find out about airbags and crumple zones!
I would say this is safer than any other regular scooter.
@@pokemonfreaky100 But not a safe as a car, as stated in the video.
I always hoped to see a Carver One race series. Imagine these things, 3 or 4 wide into corners. Would be quite the spectacle; bet they can handle a wet track too.
Love this idea! Especially with the new faster S+
Purpose built with a purpose....what a concept!
I couldn't stop smiling along with you...
That leaning is amazing lol, *reminds me of electric skateboarding* in a weird way - I mean it's called the Carver, which is what you do on a skateboard! Jack is a pretty awesome addition to the channel, I'm sure Electroheads will be missing him for a while lol. The footage looks like co-pilots in a fighter jet lool. I want one!!
You mention that Richard Hammond drove one and thought it was great. I really doubt he would have the same reaction to this version. Carver originally had an ICE and was actually usable by anyone who drives further than their mailbox (top speed 115 mph - not that anyone needs to go that fast). The problem was the price - $20,000 in 2003 was ridiculous. This version with a top speed of 27-30 mph with a range of ~60 miles is extremely limiting and the $11,000 base price seems expensive. In parts of England and for those who never travel out of their neighborhood, perhaps it would work. Beyond that, they have truly limited their market appeal. Perhaps they will produce a version that will make it a more practical vehicle for the vast majority of the world.
This is exactly how to do the city mobility thing wrong. They sold less in two decades than Arcimoto sold in 2 years...
Yeah... I can kind of understand scooters being limited to 45kmh for city street driving only, but something like this that is mostly enclosed should at least be able to do 65kph to be able to keep up with traffic on thoroughfares in most cities . Not highways and expressways, just the very common 60kmh roads that cut through most cities, at least here in North America.
It's not a limiting range at all for those with sensible commutes. Driving over 60 miles a day is a bit of a waste of time and energy. Probably unsustainable. Could just like live closer to work. Or maybe not every vehicle needs to meet everyone's demands, if it's not for you, that's probably because they aren't trying to sell it to you.
LOVE it!
Brilliant, love it.
Absolutely love it, and the Citroën Ami but that speed limit really is low. The Twizy still has the crown for tiny 2 seater car with its 50mph speed. Such a shame especially considering the Twizy is from 2012 and there really should be some more competitors by now. Still love the Carver and ami but just can't justify one without a little more speed to cover more journeys.
In my London borough the speed limit is 20mph
The Carver S+ does 80km/h, but you need a motorcycle, or possibly car license to drive one. The draw of these is you only need a scooter license, or in some countries only be old enough.
Looks like Toyota iRoad.
It's almost 50% more expensive than a Citroen AMI, but it can lane split and lean
In U.K. we call it “traffic filtering” but the Carver is too wide. What’s needed is something like the Piaggio MP3 scooter but fully covered and ideally not much wider. Two front wheels = hoot stopping powers d lean steering (as a bike does) means less elbow room is needed.
@@davidelliott5843you're right, it appears to be 20cm wider than a Mp3, which I already find annoying 😂
In France it's called doing the "interfile"
Great review, thanks!
Jack Scarlett fitting in that small vehicle, is reason enough to watch!
If a Sinclair C5 and Renault Twizy had a child...
😃😄😃
If it could go 60 and I could get on the M roads just 15 min for the commute in it would be great. But 30 unfortunately immediately takes it out the running.
There’s one that does 50. I reckon it needs to do 56, that’s what the lorries are limited to, so at 56 you can keep up with some traffic on the M roads.
10:30 "Look at this chump in his smart car! Hey buddy, just get a hummer!"
2nd time watching and what a wonderful fun and planet friendly ride!
Great little car, now it just needs someone to start tuning mods, double speed and double range and you have a perfect small car for semi local work. I just wish it was a really affordable option, £8000+ is the price of a decent small 4 seat car. EV prices have to come down to the same as a comparable ICE before they will become mass transport for people who do not want to go into debt just to get to work.
I have tried to modify mine but it's beyond my skills. The DVC/BMS systems along with the controllers and hub motors are very closely integrated so unless you can reprogram everything you're out of luck... I'm sure someone will crack it tho.
For 8k you can buy a like new used citreon zoe.
@@sc149 we have a Renault Zoe, the Carver is our second car.
£8000 for a brand new 4 seater car ? What's that then ?
@@Dave-in-France Dacia Sandero.
The range I could live with, the speed I could not. Other than that it looks like something I really really want!
Can't believe this early 2000's legend is still around
Glad the Carver refused to die..
Nice one Jack!! Love it!
This is exactly how to do the city mobility thing wrong. They sold less in two decades than Arcimoto sold in 2 years...
It is a heap les $$$ than the Acrimoto.
@@markthomasson5077 Exactly.
It's a bit niche making a vehicle that's only suitable for city driving, I think people generally want something that is closer to being an alrounder. Might work if it can have a trailer for a load of shopping.
Always loved the concept of the Carver for getting around. However the setup for just 30mph and around the city isn't what I would hope for. I hoped that an all electric three wheel like this would have much higher speed and miles for rage.
@@pauljolivette5989 it is a city car so 30 mph is perfect unless you speed. I see it as a second car a bit like mini's used to be for the rich.
The answer to an allrounder is GUESS WHAT the CAR
Cracking!
great to see the carver back! with the price being lower now and being an EV i hope it becomes successful!
If the push for electrification has any interest in sustainability, then the future of city transport should be transit, biking, and walking. EVs are much better than ICE cars, I 100% agree, but just replacing ICE car traffic and planning problems with EV traffic and planning problems isn't the future we need.
pff now way bro... electric scooters and chairs are the future of city transport
I daliy 3 bikes by switching between them depending on the weather. I would love to have something like this for the really bad rainy days or just a change of pace. I would have had on of those Elio cars by now if they didn't run out of $$$. REALLY dig this leaning carycle. A few companies took a stab at these but they just never caught on.
Can we get one that tops out around 75 for freeway use and make it a bit longer or somehow make getting in the rear seat less of a back it in buttwhiggle grunting dance?
(Oh GROW up you... Dirty minders are everywhere)
Get the pod ride from Sweden cheap better $2,000
Or the elf transit in USA
@@tking1539 LMAO.. The Pod Ride might be fun. The looks would be hilarious. I think that's the most cartoony vehicle I have ever seen. The elf is a little to bicycle for two for me. What I really like is the Aptera.
I really wanted an ELIO and would be driving one now if they had been built. I saw this vehicle and said, "WOW" and then saw the price.
I guess I'll just stick with my 1993 Geo Metro. Paid $800 for it 7 years ago. Gets 50 mph city and 60 hwy. Has just under 300K miles
and still running strong. Costs almost nothing to repair and almost never needs repairs.
If the range and speed were increased it would be a world beater. As an EV driver and a motorcycle rider too you’ve got the best of both worlds. I’d have one straight away
Solution looking for a problem
Disagree completely. Gridlock is real, it's going to get worse if EVs continue to be cheap to use. I'd still rather use a bicycle (and I do - a lot) than this, but if a few people who are too lazy to cycle use these instead of their massive SUV, it's definitely a solution to a problem.
Love it!
Very nicely presented, (both the”Carver Cartrike” and the FC episode) 😊
Last year I drove a Carver on the indoor terrain at the EV experience at Zandvoort, a nice experience. It took some getting used to to combine my car and motorcycle experience.
I had a bicycle back in the late 80's, made by Huffy and it was called a "Trike". It was a prototype and would bend just like the Carver. It was so much fun and the feel was smooth as silk.
Awesome small little fun drive vehicle 🤩
Love it
Awesomeness!
"I've seen the future today and it's orange and from the 2000's" 😂😂😂
The Baojun E300 Plus: Costs less,is a 4 seater with heater and good features.62 MPH,Range on one charge 190 miles.I would go for this one over the Carver every time.
Remember seeing Carver in its first incarnation on Top Gear years ago. Always wanted one. Wonderful to finally see it in its latest guise as an EV after all the ups and downs Carver has endured but I find it really strange that it's so much smaller than the original format. I just wish they'd designed it to be a little more practical for accommodating two adults; it would have broadened its appeal by a wide margin.
Brilliant presentation…I completely support these kind of vehicles…it does look great fun , functional, and the future is now…stay safe..
I wanted one back then, now I want one again
Another grrrreat review Jack ! Only you could make this superb, fun little vehicle do so much leaning in such a short spin. Should definitely name this car Eileen : )
That looks like a lot of fun :)
i watch loaqds of car video channels but this guy is top dog
Great to see some reviews of smaller alternatives to cars - a possible solution to packed city roads and climate change.
This so Cool , I want one
The micro cargo van too ?!?! Awesome little battle pod gotta say
Very good!
Fell in love with the CARVER when I first saw it years ago. Now that it's electric I would love to get one but only if it makes it to the USA. Can't wait and see if and when it does makes it to the states.
This thing is at least 25 years old. I saw their video when I was in college, way before youtube.
Love it :) So tiny jet
Excellent video - cu at Outside FC fixture! Eamon Dublin
*Two things I would like if it has;*
*1)* Hybrid (both petrol & EV) features.
*2)* AC
COOL CARVER
The green tint on the windscreen makes you look like the incredible Hulk 😀
2:17 Keeps things nice and stable *camera shakes wildly*