Domain name tri-pod.us is for sale
As of Sept.15, 2013. Bidding starts at $80.
Domain name tri-pod.eu is for sale
As of Sept.15, 2013. Bidding starts at $80.
Contact sevehicle@gmail.com

Apart from all the technology cars have not changed that much, not really. There are just a whole lot more of them. Question is: how to have the car 'eat away' less valuable resources, without compromising safety, comfort and the sheer pleasure of driving?

'Electrifying' the automobile is one way. An alternative route is to slim down the car and lose a lot of weight in the process. That would mean that 80-120 mpg without complicated hardware may well lie within reach. Needing less material to build such a car may also benefit both manufacturer and consumer.

With its sleek and lightweight body the Space-Efficient Vehicle (SEV) needs less material to make, less fuel to propel and less space to do 99% of what the old car was doing. And there's a lot more to gain. What about exploring a new market? Innovation? Exports? Jobs?

90-95 percent of all cars carry just one person, particularly during rush hours when traffic is at its worst. Why waste valuable resources? Sleek, lightweight cars have many advantages: less fuel needed, lower emissions, new design perspectives, lean manufacturing. We're talking 80 to 120 mpg with small, conventional engines, without the need for expensive, weight-increasing hybrid hardware. It's all about having a choice. You can use the low-drag, lightweight car for practically anything... and save-rent-borrow the ‘big car’ when you really need the extra space. Generally, people don't like small cars. They think they look cheap, unsafe, uncomfortable. So, change the perspective. Be inventive. There's cars and motorcycles... and nothing decent in between: one big void. Doesn't have to be.

Introducing the Space-Efficient Vehicle: a Best of Both Worlds. Not a "it's a grim world out there" type of vehicle, but a lean, clean transport machine that's cheaper to run and a hoot to drive.

(click to enlarge)


Space Efficient Vehicle







Why don't we slim down our favorite mode of transportation?

No need for bio fuels that increase the cost of food production just to feed our gas-guzzlers. No need to go to war to safeguard oil supplies. No need for more asphalt at the expense of our living environment. The long term expectations are that car ownership will increase once the economy has picked up again.  This means more cars on the road. The Space-Efficient Vehicle SEV I am proposing is sleek enough to let governments utilize the present infrastructure more efficiently (in the future). The possibilities include opening up special (smaller) lanes, allowing semi split-lane use (not entirely parallel - see picture), reconfigured parking lots and space-efficient interfaces with public transport. Many governments are planning to introduce some sort of road pricing. The more eco-friendly the vehicle, the lower the tariff.

(click to enlarge)

No pressure... Just a clever extra option

With the front looks of a regular car and the rear cowling reminiscent of the tail of a big motorcycle cruiser, the ‘crossover’ I have in mind simply falls into a new category. Single occupant use of the carpool lane in a three-wheel vehicle is allowed in most U.S. states.

Dependent on legislation and vehicle regulations the SEV will have a FWD three-wheel or semi-tricycle platform. This provides better protection against rear impacts and better steering input due to the ability to swivel. The wheel layout enables a long wheelbase relative to overall length and a very streamlined shape, which in turn gives the driver superior 360-degree visibility. There's no passenger next to the driver to block his side view. The driver is able to maintain eye contact with the passengers via the interior mirror. Lane Assist (as in cars like the Citroen C5) helps the driver maintain lane position.

 

A Smart ForThree or New Isetta

If you compare the Space-Efficient Vehicle with the Smart Fortwo, then you may notice that the vehicle depicted here is more practical with its three-seat capacity, offers better energy efficiency due to its ultra-sleek profile, better comfort (long wheelbase!) and more built-in safety features. Over the past years iconic small cars like the Mini, the Fiat 500 and the VW Beetle were succeeded by fashionable newer (and larger) versions. But still no new Isetta or new Messerschmitt. Electric propulsion will also be possible of course; an electric battery pack would lower the center of gravity even further.

(click to enlarge)

The seating configuration allows adequate safety margins on the flanks, despite the SEV's narrow width. The driver and the first passenger enter and exit the SEV on the curbside, which is safer. Pictures of the Space-Efficient Vehicle (SEV) - registered concept and awarded design. According to many the best thought-out three-wheeler so far. If you would like to know more, please contact me at sevehicle@gmail.com

There's an overview of new eco-car concepts at se-vehicle3.com

Opportunity knocking 
Technical
Is America really trying hard enough?
How to achieve space efficiency?




~