We don't often hear about the Carver One here in the United States, probably because it's not actually available for sale in this country. Apparently, that's not the case in much of the European Union and Russia, where a taxi company called 1Motto has reportedly purchased a Carver One to shuttle occupants to their destinations as quickly as possible, even through rush hour traffic.

Motorcycle taxi services are becoming increasingly popular in many densely populated urban areas, especially in Europe, since vehicles with a single track (two wheels in line with one another) can more easily fit through gaps in traffic. Some passengers, though, seem to have a distaste for two-wheelers, feeling that they aren't quite as safe as they'd like, and this is where vehicles like the Piaggio MP3 and the aforementioned Carver come into play. Due to its full roof, the Carver can be used all season long and in any kind of weather.


[Source: Bikes in the Fast Lane]

Perodua UK Limited, the importer of Piaggio Commercial Vehicles, has just announced that it's bringing the classic three-wheeled Ape back to the UK market. First introduced way back in 1948, the Ape (pronounced, ap-ey, FWIW, which is Italian for "bee." Vespa is Italian for "wasp") is based on the front end of a scooter but features an enclosed cabin for weather protection and two wheels out back.

Buyers can choose between a tiny 50cc engine, a larger 218cc gasoline unit and a big, 422cc diesel, mated up to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Panel Van, Pick Up, Cross or Tipper (tilting bed) models are all available along with a choice of a steering wheel or handlebars, making for a very versatile platform. Lastly, the Ape Calessino (seen above) is available as a limited edition for leisurely personal transportation.

As cool as it would be to see these vehicles in the States, we doubt it would ever happen. We'll just have to be content fulfilling our scooter fantasies with the MP3, Piaggio's other three-wheeler, which is available here in 125cc, 250cc or 500cc models.

[Source: Piaggio]

Whilst perusing the internetz for the latest and greatest green-go-gadgets, we happened across a somewhat mysterious video that we think might offer our readers something in the way of both amusement and a free physics lesson. The clip features several different three-wheel electric vehicles careening about a makeshift course piloted by guys with remarkably dubious driving ability, possibly for the benefit of an engineering school competition. (Or perhaps it was for a reality TV show, our Farsi comprehension is as poor as our Thai)

Regardless of the reason for its existence, the vid demonstrates that just because you design a vehicle to be green, it doesn't mean it's safe. Also demonstrated is the importance of doors and helmets, along with the dangers of loitering about a race course with expensive film equipment. Hit the jump for madcap careening action as well as a bonus video that reveals the true green nature of the event that spawned this bit of craziness.

[Source: YouTube]

It's been a while since we've posted about a 60 mpg three-wheel car but when a reader let us know about the EMC³ appearing at the recent Seattle Autoshow (thanks, Troy!), we had to make a little room for it. According to the Eco Motor Company's website the tricycle began its life as a summer project by David Joner and his two kids. Soon others (grown-ups) joined in the effort and after several years, the EMC³was born.

Although the three-wheeled configuration allows them to classify it as a motorcycle and thus avoid some of the regulatory scrutiny involved with selling cars with four tires, the vehicle is said to have been designed with safety in mind. In addition to the roll bar, side-impact beams and crumple zones, it also comes equipped with two airbags. It's powered by a one liter 3 cylinder gas engine to get you going and disc brakes to make you stop. Choosing the available automatic transmission ups the price by $1,000 or you can stick with the 5-speed and pay only $13,995. Expected to be available early 2009, the company is taking reservations now.

[Source: Eco Motor Company]

A couple of weeks ago we were telling you about the 600-mile inaugural run of the Zuumer from ZuumCraft. While it's one thing to have a company representative talk about their product, it's often more illuminating to hear a review from an unassociated party and so we bring you news of a test drive from the ZoomiLife EV blogger, Sebastian Schepis. Self-described as not easily impressed, Mr. Schepis spent an hour riding the electric three-wheeler and enjoyed it so much he decided to actually buy one. Of course, he'll have to wait a bit. The first 150 carving machines are only arriving in the U.S. in January. His review is accompanied by some close up, detail pics and fills us in on a few features we were previously unaware of, the most unexpected of which is cruise control. Yup, bring the lithium ion-powered trike up to your desired speed and hit a button and there you stay until you hit the brakes. Which brings up another feature. As well as a headlight, it also has a taillight which is activated by the brakes. If you're thinking, "The only thing it really needs is a keyless alarm." don't worry, it's got that too. Click on the photo above for the full ZoomLife review.

[Source: ZoomiLife]

Looking like just about every other three-wheeled, joystick-controlled, compressed air-driven car we've ever seen, the AIRPod by MDI will be available to lease in New Zealand soon. MDI has an agreement with IndraNet Technologies to market them in the land of the M?ori and, according to an article in the New Zealand Herald, they could be arriving on the island before the end of the year. If true, that would be the first market where the rolling alien marshmallow would appear. The MDI website says production is to begin in the Spring of 2009. Like many new ventures the vehicle has it critics and The Dog and Lemon Guide editor Clive Matthew-Wilson is unimpressed with the AIRPod's environmental claims. He rightly points out the the car isn't powered by air but by the energy that compresses the air. "It's a slightly more efficient way of wasting energy on inefficient trips. All you are doing is replacing traffic jams full of petrol-driven cars with traffic jams full of air-driven cars." He doesn't mention that the energy could be from renewable sources which mostly what is available in New Zealand. The AIR Pod is said to be capable of 43 Mph and has a range of around 137 miles and though it may run on air, don't call it an air car. H/T to Paul.

[Source: New Zealand Herald]

Hold the presses! There is yet.another.enclosed.three-wheeled.vehicle.being developed in America. The Dagne from Revolution Motors is meant to be an "ultra-efficient, high-performance sustainable commuter vehicle" and will feature a serial-hybrid drivetrain. Though it does have lots in common with various other projects, the Dagne, named after the protagonist in in Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged", will separate itself from the herd by featuring all-wheel electric drive with steering, acceleration and and braking controlled via a joystick. If that doesn't make you say "Whoa!" then we won't even mention that it also does that whole front-wheels-tilting thing.

With series production planned for 2011, they have been testing a prototype since January and say that "development is proceeding smoothly and quickly." They also hope to have a limited edition single-seat, topless version available even earlier, in mid-2010. The Progressive Automotive X-Prize contender has has pretty nice performance targets. Its range is listed as 120 miles in electric mode, 600 miles as a hybrid. Top speed is an ambitious 120 mph with a 0 to 60 Mph of 5 seconds. Price is a very optimistic "under $20,000." If you want to follow their progress or learn more they have a blog. We look forward to seeing some video of this rolling video game in the future.

[Source: Revolution Motors via Aptera Forum]

Trikes are pretty hot these days. Whether they lean or not, using three wheels instead of two is a concept that has been gaining traction in an effort to... gain traction. Three contact patches allows for more rubber on the road, ultimately leading to increased stability and rider confidence, or so they say. When we got the chance to hop on board a trio of Piaggio MP3s, we found that the technology worked exactly as promised, and that experience leaves us wanting to hitch a ride on the new Brudeli Leanster, now available in Europe.

Using a single-cylinder engine and platform from KTM, the Leanster adds a subframe and an entirely new front-end that's been designed to allow the rider to lean into the turns, as with the Piaggio. Harley-Davidson is also planning to enter the tilting-trike wars with a V-Twin powered street machine, but the Leanster is the only one of these machines that allows dirt riding. You'll pay dearly for the privilege of owning one, though, as the price is currently set at €21,000 ($30,677 at current exchange rates). That's a lot of coin for a cycle, but it sure does look like fun.


[Source: Brudeli via Hell For Leather / Pics: Rune Baashus]

Patent drawings have revealed that Harley-Davidson, the quintessential American Motor Company, has been working on leaning three-wheelers for the last few years. This is a concept that has already proven itself viable with products like the Piaggio MP3 series of scooters currently on the market. HD has already established itself as a player in the V-Twin trike market with its first-ever factory trike, the Tri Glide Ultra Classic. That model, new for 2009, uses the more common arrangement of two wheels in back, one in front. Rumor has it that the upcoming model from The Motor Company will reverse that with the single wheel at the rear, a setup that we prefer for stability. If Harley does introduce a reverse-trike concept, expect it to be powered by the liquid-cooled Revolution motor as opposed to the classic 45-degree air-cooled twin that the company is famous for.

[Source: MC24 via Hell For Leather]

Click above for more images of the Aptera Typ1 e

Gasoline prices in the United States are helping push along the development of many new vehicles such as the Volt from General Motors. Such game-changing vehicles as the Volt and the original Toyota Prius demand a huge amount of research and, even more importantly, money before they are able to get out of the most basic of planning stages. What's more, these hybrid or electric vehicles are often sold at a substantial loss for a number of years before they ever are able to turn any sort of profit. It's not surprising, then, that smaller manufacturers such as Aptera and Can-Am are beginning to appear on the scene which look to offer an alternative to run-of-the-mill hybrids by introducing three-wheeled vehicles.

We'll delve a bit into the three-wheelers which are already available and look into what makes them legal - or not - after the break. We'll also discuss what could take place in the near future as Washington takes notice of the three-wheeled trends.