The Triac: An Affordable Electric Car
California based company Green Vehicles recently began selling an affordable $20,000 electric car called the Triac. The small but efficient 3-wheeled car has a range of 120 miles and can travel up to 70mph on the highway. Charging the lithium-ion batteries that power the 20kw electric motor takes about 6 hours, and there is an optional capacity boost battery pack available that extends the range by 20% (why not include it with the car?). The Triac comes in 8 different color combinations and is available from the dealership in San Jose. See the company website for more details.
YouTube: Green Vehicles - Triac | More Videos
“By providing consumers with a choice they can be proud of, Green Vehicles has become a leading developer, manufacture and supplier of electric transportation. Starting with the sleek freeway drivable commuter, then the rugged work truck, and finally onto petite but chic city vehicles, we offer a full range of pure electric vehicles. Our engineers are constantly working to redefine efficiency and reliability, aiming to expand what is possible for the growing community who make protecting the environment a priority.”
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May 28th, 2008
Very spiffy! Needs the option of either a cheap vertical roof top wind turbine, or pv array charging system. Also a 12v power takeoff (cigarette lighter outlet) would be nice.
May 28th, 2008
Is this car really cheap? I’m an Indonesian and triac may not be affordable. I think an electric car ideally priced at below $10,000. I hope.
June 2nd, 2008
Lithium batteries can be over $10000 alone to maintain capacity. With cheaper new technology batteries, all is possible.
June 9th, 2008
Lukman - This is cheap compared to the Tesla, Tango (Commuter Cars), Aptera, even the Sparrow NMG. If you want something really cheap, look to the Chinese, like the Zap Xebra. But you get what you pay for. A decent electric scooter might be a better option than a real cheap electric car.
June 18th, 2008
Can someone who is six feet six inches tall fit in the Triac?
June 26th, 2008
Can’t wait for one of these to cut me off as I roll down the highway. Oops, must have been a speed bump.
June 27th, 2008
Hi, This is a freeway ready electric (AC Motor with regenerative breaking too!) with a 120 mile range. You can get this car TODAY for just $19.995 or save-up for the Tesla, which is now $113,000 - I’m getting a Triac!
Green Vehicles is also offering a city car (35mph - 60 mile range) for only $11.995… this could easily be a second car for those who live close to work… which is 80% of people.
Remember, these cars are not meant to be your main car. In fact I’ve heard that if you only have an electric, it is almost impossible to get insurance, but if you put this as a second car it’s cheaper than car insurance - plus, in CA. you can drive in the carpool lane alone because it’s considered a motorcycle.
July 7th, 2008
There is the Cree (www.cree.ch) car for a lot less. Less range and speed, but far more afordable.
July 10th, 2008
I hardly feel 20k is “affordable” to the average earthling. Even with the falling/failing dollar, 20k to anyone outside of the U.S. is still high priced. Also consider the fact that this car on a crazy highway is about as vulnerable as a motorcycle. When the price of the car and the batteries comes down then this might be feasible. Right now it just appears to be a toy for the rich and an amusement to the gas/oil, so-called fossil fuel cartel! Come up with something that really works and that all humans (especially us working people of the earth) can afford then we can talk!
July 13th, 2008
What is the acceleration 0 to 60? Saying it’s 70mph capable tells me nothing about whether I can accelerate onto a freeway safely. Also, what is the range at 70mph? Everyone’s assuming it’s still 120 miles… that may be 120 miles at a much lower speed. Why no specifications?
August 15th, 2008
Worth every penny at $10k.